Manager, Pilot & Technical Project - Van Drunen Farms : Job Details

Manager, Pilot & Technical Project page is loadedManager, Pilot & Technical ProjectApply locations Momence, IL time type Full time posted on Posted 5 Days Ago job requisition id JR802

The Van Drunen Family of Companies is growing!

WHAT'S GROWING AT VAN DRUNEN FARMS AND FUTURECEUTICALS ? WE ARE!

As a global, growing, and vibrant ingredient and nutritional supplement supplier to the world's best companies, Van Drunen Farms and FutureCeuticals are always seeking positive and talented employees to help our company reach the next level . We provide a family - oriented company and an opportunity to grow professionally and personally.

JOB OVERVIEW :

The Process Innovation group at VanDrunen Farms is focused on business advancement through asset optimization and new product and process platform development; providing responsive, customer-driven solutions, implementation of corporate strategy, and discovery.

As a member of the PI group, the Pilot and Technical Project Manager will serve as a key link between Process/Product Development and Operations; aiding in product development through effective piloting, technology transfer to Operations, industrialization and first-phase process optimization . This will be accomplished through both collaborative and independent activities; encompassing short-term, single-deliverable projects to long-term, multi-faceted initiatives, requiring collaboration with and implementation across multiple sites .

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Management of pilot personnel, assets, scheduling, and day-to-day activities.

• Be proficient in operation and utilization of pilot plant equipment.

• Lead pilot plant and manufacturing scale projects.

• Design, plan and execute experiments .

• Gather and analyze data.

• Document and share results .

• Provide recommendations.

• Recommend, assemble and develop pilot processes based on full-scale process capabilities and product specifications.

• Industrialization of new products and processes and their transition from Development to Operations.

• Act as a technical/industrialization expert and coach for multiple processes.

• Train and coordinate staffing of plant and production personnel for processes identified as having more advanced requirements than in standard operations.

• Directly oversee campaigns of high-value, low volume technical processes as needed to assist Operations.

• In collaboration with Operations and Project Engineer/Managers, develop, track and report CVS specific metrics and deliverables for each project.

• Build and maintain strong relationships and trust with Operations, Quality and Safety.

• Collaborate with plant Quality, Safety and Operations in development of processes and procedures.

• Be proficient in theory and practical operation of specific VanDrunen Farms processing technologies

• Collaboration with Process Innovation team in process optimization studies, development of new products and processes

• Perform other duties as needed

JOB EXPERIENCE :

• T wo to four or four to seven years of experience in pilot plant management and project management preferred

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

• Strong ability to make good judgments and decisions

• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions

• Analytical thinking

• Hands-on initiative

• Functional knowledge of mechanics, piping systems and flow dynamics

• Attention to detail

• Organized

• Facilitation skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Willing to accept and apply instruction

• Proficiency in MS Office Suite

• Self-motivated and driven to excellence

• Ability to collaborate with others, but also work independently

• Process-oriented

• Inquisitive; hungry for wisdom and a quick learner

• Diligent in leading and learning

• Change management skills

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry , Physics, Biology, Food Science or Engineering preferre d

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

• Several hours per day of sitting, getting up and down from chairs, and reaching, bending, or carrying light loads.

• Manual and physical dexterity to operate a computer keyboard and handle paper documents.

• Manual dexterity with normal hand and finger movements for typical office work.

• Sufficient near vision acuity to read information on computer display screen , hand-written forms, and printed on paper.

• Specific vision requirements include the ability to see at close range, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

• Adequate hearing and verbal abilities to communicate effectively in person and by telephone.

• Regularly stand; sit; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

• Occasionally lifts, carries, positions, or moves objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

• Ability to walk up and down stairs and ramps.

• Ability to climb ladders.

• Use of personal protective equipment including respirators, hearing protection, eye protection, and head protection.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Indoor office environment, may on occasion be exposed to loud sounds and distracting noise levels, such as from office equipment

• Requires time to be spent in a production environment and utilizes testing equipment and processes around our manufacturing equipment. We operate under good manufacturing practices which require wearing safety glasses and closed-toe shoes.

• May be exposed to moving mechanical parts.

• Must be able to work in a dusty, cold, hot, humid, wet, loud, or outdoor work environment.

• Occasionally exposed to high, precarious places, extreme cold, and extreme heat.

• Working environment could range between frozen and ambient temperatures.

D isclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and technical skills required of personnel so classified .

• Expected PayRange:$80k-90k, salary exempt
• Bonus: This role may further qualify for supplementalcompensationinthe form of bonus and incentive programs, contingent upon achieving pre-established individual and company performance metrics.
• Benefits Eligible:Yes
• Benefits Available: benefits-summary-2025.pdf

In the Van Drunen Family of Companies, commitment to excellence is in everything we do!As a global ingredient and nutritional supplement supplier to the world's best companies, we thrive on nourishing others with our products and our care for people. If you are looking to make an impact and grow with a family-friendly, values-driven company, you'll fit right in with the Van Drunen Family of Companies!

Our employees are the most valuable asset we have. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, creativity, innovation, unique capabilities and talent that our employees invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our Company's achievement as well.

The Van Drunen Family of Companies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance or an accommodation during the application process, please contact us at [email protected] .

Van Drunen Family of Companies does not accept unsolicited resumes. Any resumes, CV's, and other unsolicited assistance from search firms that do not have a submitted request and written search agreement for a position-specific requisition will be deemed the sole property of Van Drunen Family of Companies and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by our Company.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Disability/Veteran