Riviana Foods Inc. is a world class leader in the rice sector and is America’s largest processor, marketer, and distributor of branded and private label rice products. Riviana brands are well known for their quality and excellence. Key brands include Adolphus®, Blue Ribbon®, Colusa Rose®, Carolina®, Comet®, Gourmet House®, Mahatma®, Minute®, River®, RiceSelect®, Sello Rojo®, Success® and Water Maid®. Riviana Foods is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ebro Foods, S.A., a multinational food group operating in the rice, pasta and sauces sectors. Based in Spain, Ebro Foods has commercial and/or industrial presence in more than 25 countries in Europe, North America, Asia and Africa, through its extensive network of subsidiaries and brands.

Our global reach is an important factor in Riviana's success.  As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ebro Foods, S.A., the world leader in rice sector, we take a world view of the rice business and draw upon the global resources of our parent company.


SUMMARY OF ROLE

The Project Engineer performs engineering activities including analysis, design, planning, directing and coordination of assigned processing/packaging projects to assure customer satisfaction with minimal supervision.  This includes meeting targeted performance, expectations, time tables and spending limits.  This position will be responsible for the design, management, and successful start-up of domestic capital projects (typically $100K-10 MM USD) with a secondary role to assist operating facilities and apply innovation to improve current operations.

This includes the upgrade and expansion of existing and acquired facilities as well as the potential construction of new facilities. Responsibilities also include preparation of project scopes, schedules, and cost estimates along with basic engineering packages for capital projects. In addition, is the  involvement  with internal and external teams and contract firms to support projects from design, cost and compliance with local, state and federal regulations.

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Apply engineering principles to analyze and plan for the requirements of assigned food related processing and/or packaging projects and cost studies to achieve targeted objectives.
• Prepare engineering specifications.  Design process and package flows for assigned projects; prepare all necessary drawings.
• Prepare project approval documentation for new products and systems, maintain required project documentation and monitor and control costs within assigned projects.
• Lead assigned projects through concept, design, installation, commissioning and qualification to meet specified scope and identified project objectives.
• Obtain and adopt all relevant requirements including building permits, environmental regulations, sanitary design, Good Manufacturing Practices, safety, code requirements and OSHA regulations on all work assignments.
• Specify, obtain bids, select and purchase required equipment, parts and contract installation services for assigned projects to meet installation schedules and requirements.
• Supervise work conducted by plant labor, contractors, and service personnel to assure efficient coordination and completion of assigned projects as scheduled.
• Provide troubleshooting, problem analysis and technical support to all Riviana manufacturing and packaging facilities as required.
• Administer the implementation of maintenance and operator training for all new equipment and systems installed on assigned projects.
• Keep abreast of new technological developments through professional study and journals and initiate uses within Riviana Foods.
• Manage multiple projects of varying complexity and varying priorities simultaneously.
• Experience with food safety requirements such as GMP Standards, HACCP, SQF and BRC Certification.
• A working understanding and ability to construct Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs) and Process & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs) is required along with a basic understanding of ASME, ANSI, NFPA, and other industry standards for design and construction.
• A working understanding and ability to design and implement PLC, controls and related applications into the design of projects for automation and cost savings in a standardized and expandable method.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s in Engineering or Engineering based degree.  Mechanical or Chemical is preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of project management experience in the design and installation of processing and/or packaging systems.  Background with packaging equipment a plus (including scaling, form-fill-seal machines, cartoning, casepacking, conveying, palletizing, metal detection and checkweighing).  Steam and drying experience is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Excellent written and oral English communications skills. Written or oral communication skills in languages other than English a plus.
• Positive attitude and highly organized to manage simultaneous projects.
• Excellent computer skills with working knowledge of MS Office Suite, specifically MS Excel, MS Project and AutoCAD.
• Develop engineering solutions to repetitive failures and other problems that adversely affect plant operations. These problems include capacity, quality, cost or regulatory compliance issues.
• Support continual improvement in plant operations through implementation of lean manufacturing methodologies.
• Accountable for management of project as well as department spending budgets.
• SAP experience and knowledge a plus.
•  Must be willing and able to travel. Travel requirements estimated to be approximately 20% - 40%.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.
• Familiarity with principles of processing, packaging, building and utilities technologies.
• Solid interpersonal skills and team orientation
• Strong technical and problem solving skills
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills
• Leadership skills – a comfort level with change and the ability to lead change is essential and critical to this position.
• Strong project management skills and ability to lead multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to perform all responsibilities with limited supervision.
• Suggest innovative and creative new and improved methods.
• Willingness to travel as required (typically 20 40%, but can vary according to project assignments).
• Familiar with basics of finance, product cost accounting and statistical process control.
• Fundamental background with PLCs and process control.