Project Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer

** The Role
***
* Position Title:

** Project Engineer
** Position Summary
** Join Vantage Specialty Chemicals as a Project Engineer and lead our Engineering team to improve production, quality, maintenance, and to effect cost reductions. While also seeking to drive excellence in production, quality, process troubleshooting and operations excellence, and contribute to our success in the chemical manufacturing industry.
** Position Scope
** This is an in-office position that works out of the Gurnee, IL manufacturing site that reports directly to our Engineering Director.
** Essential Duties and Responsibilities
*** This position is very much one of being a working supervisor. While supervising contracted personnel, both professional and hands-on, the individual is expected to maintain a sizable project load.
* Direct or oversight responsibility for many of the capital projects undertaken at Vantage Oleochemicals. The normal flow of events in a project may include: completion of project design and developing a firm cost estimate, firm project design and a commitment on equipment, developing bid packages and going to contractors for bids on equipment and installation, coordinating and checking the actual construction, start-up and modifications of finished equipment and an Advice of Physical Completion for the project, and recommending routing maintenance, spare parts, listing necessary information and a financial closing (over or under estimate and why).

May act as a Field Construction Manager or, in some cases, the Commissioning Manager.
* In the area of technical assistance, the incumbent investigates problems of a production, maintenance or technical nature, such as equipment failure or a process bottleneck. Incumbent research and defines the problem, designs or modifies equipment and/or process bottleneck. Incumbent researches and defines the problem, designs or modifies equipment and/or process after determining cost feasibility and receiving departmental approval. The position is also responsible for implementing management systems (procedures, training, and assessments) to comply with the company’s Engineering Procedures.

* Key responsibilities:

Perform all or segments of the necessary engineering work on assigned studies and projects to modify equipment and processes to increase output, reduce costs, eliminate safety hazards, and/or improve product quality. (60%)
* Lead Vantage Gurnee efforts to implement procedures and practices to comply with aspects of the companies Engineering Procedures. (25%)
* Conceive and recommend projects for improvement of existing practices and conditions to increase output, reduce costs, improve working conditions, eliminate safety hazards, and/or improve product quality. (15%)
** Problem Solving:
*** Study existing situations (equipment, processes, manufacturing procedures, etc.), considering possible improvements or modifications, and preparing reports complete with conclusions and recommendations as a result of studies. Incumbent plans or assist in planning the approach to projects or segments of projects assigned by supervisor and for plant turnarounds. When assigned complete responsibility for small projects, supervises and participates in all aspects of the projects from inception to start-up (designs, estimates, calculations, test runs, etc.)

and resolves all problems encountered. Resolves all problems relevant to engineering disciplines (chemical, civil, electrical, etc.) when assigned responsibility for portions of major projects. Draws on engineering knowledge to assist in troubleshooting equipment and/or process malfunctions. Detailed technical process assistance may be provided by other Engineers, but the incumbent is expected to make relevant and innovative contributions wherever possible.
* Works routinely with other department heads and managers to assist in formulation of Vantage Oleochemicals’ capital plan and refines proposals for submittal.
** Accountability:
*** While reporting directly to the Engineering Manager, there remains a strong dotted line to the site manager and his staff. Actions taken and plans developed must be formulated with an eye to the…