Senior Process Engineer

ASR Group is the world’s largest refiner and marketer of cane sugar, with an annual production capacity of more than 6 million tons of sugar. The company produces a full line of grocery, industrial, food service and specialty sweetener products. Across North America, ASR Group owns and operates six sugar refineries, located in Louisiana, New York, California, Maryland, Canada and Mexico. In the European Union, the company owns and operates sugar refineries in England, Portugal. ASR Group also owns and operates mills in Mexico and Belize. The company’s brand portfolio includes the leading brands Domino®, C&H®, Redpath®, Tate & Lyle®, Lyle’s® and Sidul®.

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

ASR Group’s companies have more than 150 years of experience taking sugar cane from the field to the table. Our expertise in every aspect of the cane sugar process is without equal. We are the largest vertically integrated cane sugar refiner in the world. Our nine refineries are found in five countries across the globe and collectively can produce more than six million tonnes of sugar. We also own and operate sugar mills in the United States, Mexico and Belize. As an expert in raw sugar procurement, our reach spans more than 40 countries and our network of partners and suppliers has never been stronger. Our brands are leaders in their respective markets. We sell our branded and private label sugars, sweeteners and syrups in the grocery, food service, industrial and pharmaceutical channels in the Americas, Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East, India and Asia.

POSITION SCOPE

As a member of the R&T Department, the job-holder’s function is to assist the efforts of the Department to achieve strategic objectives (Value Add, Talent & Culture, Service Excellence, Efficiency and Sustainability) and proactively execute projects for the technical and commercial development of new processes and technology for the whole ASR Group. These tasks will require a commitment to overseas travel from time to time.

POSITION STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES AND KEY DELIVERABLES

• Supporting R&T/Group in the Identification and technical analysis of innovative technologies: including cross-functional cost/benefit analysis
• R&T leadership around how R&T best support Group Assets – using the best tools (Continuous Improvement, Benchmarking, Sankey Diagrams, @RISK analysis, Bubble Graphs,(100^2)
• Completion of development and technical projects through the stage gate process (R&T Project Portfolio Management) , on a timely basis, to meet the expectations of ‘customers’ within ASR Group.
• Proactively liaise with production management in refineries and non-refinery operations throughout the Group to understand current operational methods and limitations (Benchmarking), and to share latest thinking and process improvements developed by R&T.
• Participate in the planning and implementation of pilot plant activities – including “slip stream” pilot plants operating within an asset in order to provide experimental data and test results.
• Manage and/or assisting the transfer of these processes to the commercial scale, including their commissioning.
• Prepare reports, specifications, designs and presentations to communicate benchmarking findings /best practice with the wider ASR Group.
• Contribute to Continuous Improvement and Step Change improvement programmes.
• Development of training materials and training of ASR and R&T staff to agreed timelines when necessary.
• Prioritize tasks to ensure business and team objectives are met in a SMART fashion.

DETAILED ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Safety. Ensure safe design and operation in consideration of new product, equipment and process development by deploying suitable disciplines and procedures such as risk assessments and HAZOP. Manage Safe Systems of Work in the PAQ lab and follow Safe Systems of Work while working in the Pilot Plant and in other areas around Group (eg: other refineries, non-refinery operations).
• Process Engineering. Provide process evaluation and process design for actual and prospective projects. Collate ‘benchmarking’ data on the performance of established processes used throughout the group. Participate in HACCP studies to ensure adequate hygienic standards are used.
• Service Excellence. Lead the development of new products and processes, to provide viable technical solutions for implementation within production facilities throughout ASR Group. Analyze data from pilot plant trials and production operations to determine where and how improvements can best be made. Assist in the development, sharing and implementation of best practices around Group.
• Talent & Culture. Works closely with other members of the R&T Department, NPD Team and production managers as necessary to ensure activities are aligned with the business needs.
• Efficiency and Sustainability: lead “Zero Discharge” projects including energy , water and solid waste reduction projects, and by maximizing “Right First Time”
• Contributes to producing design guides and templates to ensure consistency across projects.

ESSENTIAL CAPABILITIES (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES)

• Good communication and interpersonal skills.

• Skilled in planning and executing multiple activities.
• Able to undertake international travel in order to meet the role and business needs.
• Good knowledge of Engineering Project disciplines (e.g. CDM, HACCP and HAZOP techniques).

• Financial / Commercial awareness.
• High capability in Microsoft Office.
• Networking and stakeholder engagement capability.

ESSENTIAL WORK EXPERIENCES

• Project engineering experience.
• Plant operation experience at full production scale and /or pilot scale.
• Implementation of Continuous Improvement through structured programmes. Ideally Six Sigma BlackBelt trained for CI work – and / or equivalent ability to successfully and safely complete projects through a focused / data driven approach.
• In depth knowledge and know-how of sugar industry processes or similar food manufacturing processes.

ESSENTIAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Educated to degree or equivalent in relevant discipline

DESIRABLE EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Masters degree in a relevant discipline.
• Project management and capital expenditure project experience.
• Process modelling, industry 4.0 and/or artificial intelligence experience.
• High level Continuous Improvement capability.
• Completed or working towards Chartered Engineer status.

At Tate & Lyle Sugars, the group's values are the cornerstone of our success.

Leadership - our goal is to be the leader in every arena in which we compete. Teamwork - our strength is magnified when we work together. Integrity - honesty and trust are the foundation of our success.Service - we know that the people and communities in which we operate are crucial partners to our success. Sustainability - the member companies of ASR Group are committed to sustainable agricultural and business practices.