Project Engineer
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Date: Aug 18, 2026
Location: Erlanger, KY, US, 41018
Company: Perfetti Van Melle
OVERVIEW
Perfetti Van Melle (makers of Mentos and Airheads!) is one of the world''s largest manufacturers and distributors of confectionery and chewing gum with global brands that are being enjoyed in more than 150 countries worldwide. We're currently seeking a passionate and enthusiastic Project Engineer to join our growing team.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
The Project Engineer prepares capital project documentation, layouts, budgets, and schedules. Will also work with finance and production departments to provide operational and financial analysis required for capital project justifications, obtain quotations from equipment suppliers and contractors, manage project installation and startup activities. The Project Engineer helps prepare training, safety, food safety, and maintenance documentation. Serves as engineering representative to interdepartmental project delivery teams. Responsible for identifying, leading and implementing cost reduction or operational continuous improvement initiatives for plant procedures and manufacturing methods as directed by the Engineering Manager. Project responsibility ranges from equipment and facilities improvements to installation and commissioning of full process and production lines and civil expansions. Additional responsibilities for the role include:
- Identifies, leads and implements production cost reduction opportunities by proposing changes to equipment or processes to realize material savings or improve operating efficiencies.
- Reviews and analyzes plant operations that contribute to reduce downtime, utility or power consumption and safety issues. Works with the Engineering Manager and maintenance staff, Safety Coordinator and outside vendors to improve performance. Analyzes and prepares operational and financial justifications for capital equipment or plant improvements.
- Ensures timely completion of projects by managing vendors, contractors, plant and corporate personnel as part of project manager role. Maintains technical layouts of plant and production equipment on ACAD and 3D engineering database.
- Works closely with supervisors, maintenance and production departments to properly train employees.
- Works with the Safety Coordinator to identify and implement changes to equipment to eliminate safety and health concerns for the operators on the line.
- Provides guidance for preventative and repair maintenance to ensure that plant operations are able to run as scheduled to meet demands.
- Communicates externally with multiple equipment vendors and manufacturers, related to technical specifications, project timelines, budgetary estimates and price negotiations. Creates technical drawings and documentation and participates in frequent meetings and presentations internally on project status updates.
- Performs technical/engineering analysis to determine required equipment specifications, capacity limitations, maintenance requirements, part design, and equipment layouts. Plans and executes projects within the operating facility while ensuring employee and contractor safety as well as food safety standards.
- Assures that project execution is within budget and timeline requirements.
- Consistently achieve commitments for production capacity, efficiency, headcount, and energy consumption.
- Evaluates and selects equipment suppliers to meet process and packaging needs for expanding business. Ensures equipment meets quality and technical standards to deliver volumes at required rate and efficiency in a cost-effective manner.
- Provides recommendations for line layouts, operating logic, and capital requirements to implement engineering projects.
- Highly involved in continuous improvement and innovation related to manufacturing processes, technology, and procedures including Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, SMED, Motion Economy, and Preventative Maintenance. Preference for exposure to Integrated Work Systems (IWS) or World Class Manufacturing (WCM) as foundational systems in the business environment.
WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU
- Bachelor''s degree in an Engineering discipline with 4-6 years demonstrated leadership in a manufacturing environment /MBA Preferred
- 3-5 years experience with Engineering Projects Management or Execution
- Technical System Analysis, Design Skills, Technical Understanding, Process Improvement, CAD, Manufacturing Methods and Procedures, Preventative Maintenance. Additional preference with exposure to problem solving techniques including but not limited to root cause analysis.
- Familiarity with OSHA Regulations, FDA Regulations, and Permitting requirements
- Process equipment knowledge, including background in food ingredients storage, conveying of powders and liquid ingredients, continuous and batch mixing processes, extrusion, cooling, cooling and coating processes
- Working knowledge of plant engineering processes, including steam generation, compressed air systems, electrical distribution, chilled water systems, HVAC, and Wastewater Treatment
- Working Knowledge of packaging equipment, robotics and materials handling automation
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, drafting/design software (ACAD/3D software), and MS Project
- Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, for troubleshooting / problem solving, coaching and training other production team members
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and changing priorities and easily adapt to changing situations
- Travel expectation is minimal - Ability to travel up to 20% if needed.
WHAT WE OFFER
At Perfetti Van Melle, we are committed to fostering a welcoming workplace, where all individuals, regardless of background or identity, are valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives to the sweet success of our candy-loving community. Additionally, we have a core value of Care For Our People and we are proud to offer benefit programs that support our team members'' goals and well-being including:
- PTO package including vacation, sick, personal, and pay it forward time off
- 13 paid holidays
- 401k with Company Match up to 8%, ranking in the top 1% of the country
- Annual Bonus potential and merit-based increases
- Comprehensive Health Insurance
- Annual well-being subsidy
- 20 weeks Maternity & 12 weeks Paternity leave options
- Sam''s Club or Costco annual membership reimbursement
- Tuition-Free College Program or Free Continued Education (BA, Masters, etc.)
- Modest monthly candy allotment (Airheads, Airheads Xtremes, and Mentos)
Perfetti Van Melle, USA is an equal opportunity/non-descrimination employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Nearest Major Market: Cincinnati
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