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Job Function:

Supply Chain Engineering:

Job Sub Function:

Manufacturing Engineering

Job Category:

Scientific/Technology

All Job Posting Locations:

Geel, Antwerp, Belgium

Job Description: Plant engineerORGANIZATION

Reports to the Operations Manager and acts as backup during his absence.

PURPOSE

The Plant engineer is responsible for the daily production planning and therefore leads the morning meeting (TIER1) and weekly planning meeting. They support production activities and act as backup for the Operations Manager. They handle daily issues related to plant and technical systems as well as safety- and quality‑related matters.
This role is the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for plant-related systems and serves as point of contact for business support functions (MSAT/GET/E&PS) and contractors. The plant engineer leads projects focused on process and production optimization as well as safety, quality, and cost reduction (JJPS).

They work closely with Line and Shift Support functions as well as Manufacturing Process Specialists.

MAIN ACTIVITIESSupport for day‑to‑day plant operations:

• Lead the morning meeting / TIER1 where production performance and issues are discussed.

• Report and discuss (near‑)accidents, incidents, deviations, both safety and quality.

• Investigate deviations and issues, propose solutions, take and follow up corrective actions, and communicate these to the operational population. These may include incidents related to safety, quality (5S), production equipment, chemical processes, and production reliability.

• Conduct production and housekeeping plant tours (5S) and ensure required actions from these rounds are resolved within 24 hours (Makes sure audit readyness at all times).

• Follow up on operational or process changes and maintain related documents (OJT/WI/JBS/…) in line with procedures and change control requirements.

• Prepare technical activities, mainly regarding preparation and coordination of shutdown and start‑ups.

Acts as project leader and/or member in internal and external projects for developing and implementing new equipment and processes:

• Take into account requirements regarding safety, quality, and productivity of equipment and processes.

• Approve standard operating procedures, work instructions, forms, etc.

• Participate in and lead JJPS and continuous improvement projects within the area and at site level.

Develop proposals or solutions to continuously improve and optimize safety, health, environment, and quality, and drive the implementation of improvement projects together with the Line Support Specialist:

• Maintain oversight of safety and quality deviations within the BU and direct action plans.

• Optimize existing processes through methodologies such as SMED analysis, with the goal of reducing production time.

• Ensure compliance with preventive rules and procedures, c GxP, and quality procedures, and assess their feasibility within plant‑specific installations, as well as ensure adherence to 5S rules.

• Support RCPS (root cause problem solving) in the plant, both for continuous improvement and daily issues.

• Ensure correct documentation of activities according to GMP.

Acts as contact point for production and makes independent decisions during assigned activities, including standby role:

• Provide correct instructions to ensure a controlled and safe working environment.

• Keep knowledge and expertise up to date.

• Serve as main contact for production teams regarding operational issues.

• Act as point of contact for other departments such as engineering, safety, other plants, process engineers, and chemical/pharmaceutical development (technology transfers and design of experiments).

• Play a key supporting role for operators, plant management, foremen, technical services, quality assurance, and others.

• Communicate effectively (verbally and in writing).

• Act as process owner for weekly planning and ensure correct execution.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the day‑to‑day operations of the plant.

• Develop proposals and solutions to continuously improve safety, health, environment, and quality, and manage the implementation of improvement projects independently or in collaboration with engineering.

• Act as production contact person and make independent decisions during assigned activities, including standby role.

• Review/evaluate long‑term production planning and indicate potential conflicts or additional actions in a timely manner.

POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF INCORRECT DECISIONS/INSTRUCTIONS OR INCORRECTLY EXECUTED ACTIVITIES

• Incorrect or unsafe execution of production processes leading to impact on continuity, safety, time loss, rework, equipment damage, increased costs, quality deviations, production deviations.

• Negative impact on product quality, market supply, and patient health (impact on right‑to‑exist, right‑to‑sell) and risk of non‑compliance.

• Missing project timelines may jeopardize delivery of new production equipment and chemical processes, causing major financial losses.

• Insufficiently optimized/standardized processes and equipment operation.

• Insufficient or incorrect on‑the‑job guidance for colleagues and/or contractors.

• Poor knowledge transfer.

• Failure to achieve the production plan with potential impact on market supply.

KNOWLEDGE AND COMPLEXITY

• Extensive work experience required in chemical and pharmaceutical production

• Advanced knowledge of equipment and interdependencies.

• Advanced knowledge of chemical processes and the ability to understand and learn new processes.

• Thorough knowledge of control and automation systems: DeltaV, RS3, PCS7, PLC.

• Thorough knowledge of preventive rules and procedures, GMPs and quality procedures, and related protective equipment.

• Knowledge of PAT (Process Analytical Tools).

• Knowledge of SAP, planning and administration, GMP documentation.

• Experience in coaching internal personnel and new employees.

• Knowledge of risk analysis, project management (FPX), Process Excellence techniques, and change control.

• Solid knowledge of problem‑analysis techniques and Root Cause Problem Solving.

• Ability to identify complex or recurring problems (interrelations, multidisciplinary, repetitive) and develop and implement solutions to improve continuity, safety, health, environment, quality, or cost efficiency.

• Proactively identify opportunities, based on expertise, to structurally improve/optimize process equipment (safety, health, environment, quality, cost efficiency) or prevent technical issues.

• Sense of urgency: correctly anticipate problems and urgent issues that often require fast action, and provide solutions or alternatives as quickly as possible.

• Ensure compliance with quality, safety, environmental, and health procedures and guidelines and company policies.

• Perform tasks independently and work under time pressure to meet milestones.

• Investigate user needs and develop solutions.

COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION

• Daily contact with colleagues, production management, Shift Supervisor, Line Support Specialist, Lead Operator, operators.

• Daily contact with quality assurance, safety, process engineers, cleaning experts, planning.

• Daily contact with maintenance services, engineering department, and facility services.
  Purpose: ensure smooth functioning of the production plant.

• Targeted contact with new colleagues and installation users regarding training on work instructions and procedures and addressing unsafe behavior.

• Targeted contact with other departments when supporting projects.

• Regular contact with site management (SLT), e.g., TIER3 reporting.

• Technical English knowledge; able to communicate with international contractors/external companies.

• Strong communication skills.

Required Skills: Preferred Skills:

Accelerating, Coaching, Compliance Risk, Critical Thinking, Facility Management, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Lean Manufacturing Principles, Lean Supply Chain Management, Manufacturing Engineering, Performance Measurement, Product Design, Program Management, Project Engineering, Project Schedule, Robotic Automation, Safety-Oriented, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Application, Technologically Savvy