Manufacturing / Operations Engineer (Plant Engineer)

Foster Clark Products Ltd in Malta is looking for a responsible and highly motivated Manufacturing / Operations Engineer (Plant Engineer) to join their team on a full-time basis.

Job Role:
Under the direction of a Plant Manager, the Plant Engineer enhances service quality and equipment reliability by improving workflows and optimizing maintenance processes using Continuous Improvement tools and practices. This position is a key link between the R&D, Engineering, and Production departments providing input to improve equipment/process design, reliability, and maintainability. The Plant Engineer has a critical role in connecting shop floor operations with the organization’s Engineering department, helping minimize downtime and failure rates and maximize equipment productivity. The Plant Engineer will investigate and implement a permanent resolution to any technical or maintenance problem that is interruptive to meeting production schedules. The successful candidate will provide direction for maintaining and operating all Factory equipment and facilities to ensure proper utilization whilst championing a quick response philosophy and has a major inter-departmental impact on the organization.

Key Accountabilities:
Equipment Efficiency;

• Develop and execute in a timely manner the Yearly/Quarterly/Monthly/Weekly/Daily Preventive Maintenance plans
• Design and implement maintenance strategies, procedures, and methodologies
• Carry out routine scheduled maintenance work and respond to equipment faults whilst dealing with emergencies, unplanned problems, and critical repairs
• Diagnose and resolve breakdown problems through root-cause analysis and technical troubleshooting
• Drive OEE & Quality organizational improvements
• Establish and monitor programs for data collection, critical equipment analysis, and condition monitoring
• Propose and lead Continuous Improvement projects based on data analysis
• Execution of trials and equipment upgrades in collaboration with the manufacturing specialist, engineering, and process support departments.

People Development;

• Coordinate with Factory Management for the planning and provision of technical training to operators
• Supervise, develop, and guide a team of technical staff.

Leadership;

• Lead focused improvement activities and lead technical teams to improve KPIs
• Monitor and report overall plant performance and KPIs system for production and quality standards
• Support the Site Manager in the development and overseeing of the plant operating budget
• Work closely with Engineering Department in relation to Continuous Improvement, new equipment commissioning, and innovation projects.

Health & Safety;

• Ensure that all equipment health & safety mechanisms are maintained
• Promote and ensure employees and work performed is done in a safe and healthy work environment
• Monitor safety procedures
• Ensure a safe work environment exists and the company’s OHSE objectives are achieved
• Ensure all occupational health and safety regulations are respected and propose ways of improvement.

Quality;

• Maintain cleanliness to GMP standards and ensure all safety standards are met
• Liaise with the R&D department with respect to new product and process design in order to ensure compliance with engineering. principles, company standards, customer contract requirements, and related specifications
• Check and calibrate instruments to make sure they are accurate whilst promoting standardization of equipment.

Freedom to Act;

• Modification of practices and procedures while determining own priorities.

Ideal Candidate Profile:
Education;

• University degree level of education in Engineering.

Experience;

• 5 years of technical experience in the food industry or consumer products dealing with corrective/preventive/predictive maintenance processes, technical guidance, and development of the maintenance workforce
• Experience in leading others.

Technical Skills;

• Familiarity with industry-standard equipment and technical expertise
• Experienced with GMP, ISO Standards, Safe Food Handling, HACCP practices, and HSE guidelines
• Continuous Improvement Experience/Certification is highly desirable
• Ability to show a track record of improving production, solving problems, and motivating technical teams
• Proficient with MS Office and engineering design software (AUTOCAD or similar)
• Development of procedures
• A variable thinking capability to handle different situations that require the identification and selection of solutions within the area of expertise as well as acquired knowledge. 

• Leadership skills and technical know-how are utilized to influence and lead others
• Influencing and Impact, including conflict management
• Root Cause Analysis
• Developing people
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving
• Drive for results
• Program and Project Management
• Judgment and decision-making.