Production Engineer II

International Flavors and Fragrances
United States, Louisiana, Plaquemine
Apr 05, 2025
Job Summary The Production Engineer reports to the Production Manager and is part of a high-performance team, serving as an influential leader and technical resource to optimize plant operations, resolve plant problems, and enable safe and efficient production of high-quality products. This role develops process expertise and then coaches, advises, and assists the operations team on day-to-day issues and opportunities related to safety, quality, throughput, reliability, and cost. The individual is key in developing the appropriate short interval control metrics, operating discipline, training, and work processes to maximize value to the business in a safe, environmentally friendly manner, while meeting and exceeding customer expectations. Another key aspect of the role is utilizing process and engineering knowledge, coupled with input from other business subject matter experts, to identify, prioritize, and assist in the execution of plant improvement projects to increase performance via equipment and process control optimization. This role at times will also serve as the manufacturing representative for capital projects to install new capabilities and/or add capacity at the facility. A continuous improvement mindset and toolbox (Six Sigma, LEAN) are important attributes for success in the role. Influential leadership is required of this position in the form of championing adherence to the life critical safety standards, strong procedure use, and time spent in the field observing worker behavior and working with operations and maintenance personnel. This role will also lead root-cause investigations in response to unplanned events, and with their cross-functional teams, propose and implement strong corrective actions to prevent recurrence. At Plaquemine METHOCEL, we pride ourselves on being purposeful in fostering and developing leaders and empowering our workforce to make decisions with the customer in mind. Responsibilities: Provides leadership and direction in the day-to-day decision making for the operating area of responsibility. Consistently demonstrates strong ownership and encourages this in the plant culture through a continual commitment to excellence. Networks with other engineers on site and within the multi-national business to leverage knowledge on plant operations and technologies. Ensures most effective technology is understood and utilized. Understands and applies continuous improvement methodologies (LEAN/6) to enhance plant operations. Works with the plant team and quality coordinator to continuously improve product quality performance. Works with plant process control coordination to ensure process control is optimized in the facility. Utilizes plant information systems to gather data for troubleshooting and streamline tasks for various roles. Diagnoses and documents the root causes of asset utilization losses for tracking in global systems. Leads and participates in root cause investigations (RCI) for unplanned events that meet standardized criteria. Assists with implementation of all aspects of process safety including process hazard analysis, layers of protection analysis, and loss prevention principle application. Provide training in responsible area as process SME to technical staff and operations as needed. Serve as the technical subject matter expert for operator learner review boards as part of the operations training system. Works with R&D and technical services to develop and qualify novel products in the production facility that create value-added differentiation in the marketplace. We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability. Visit IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion to learn more