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Date:  Jun 17, 2025
Job Req ID:  23454
Category:  Supply Chain and Operations
Country/Region:  ZA
State: 
City:  Springs
Workplace:  Onsite

Title:  Process Engineer

Description: 

ROLE DESCRIPTION

Title:

Process Engineer -Springs Operations

Function & Business Unit:

Springs Manufacturing, MENAT-SSA BU

Reports to:

Operations Manager Springs

 

 

 

Purpose of the role

The Process Engineer is responsible for identifying and eliminating losses/waste, reducing Process Variability and improving OEE across Process through leveraging the KWS methodologies, while maintaining the highest standards in Safety and Quality & Food Safety.  He/she is the Single Point of Contact for Management of Change within the ‘Process’ area (including operational training, trials, projects and related start up management). 

The incumbent is expected to carry-out any lawful duties assigned. Limited travel could be required.

Working Relationships

  • Reports to the Springs Manufacturing Manager
  • No direct reports
  • Partners with all other Plant/CSL Departments at all levels
  • Leverages R&D and Central Engineering resources where required
  • Interacts with Raw Material suppliers
  • Plays an active role in one or more KWS Centers of Excellence (mainly AM and/or CIPO)

Principal Duties & Responsibilities  

Environmental, Health and Safety

  • Role Models, promotes and encourages a Health and Safety culture within the Plant, leveraging GEMBA, Safety 7 Tours and Leader-led observation programs as key coaching opportunities.
  • Ensures that all Environmental, Health & Safety rules, policies & procedures (incl legislated requirements) are being followed and acts pro-actively by addressing any concerns.
  • Assists in root cause analysis of incidents in the ‘Process’ area and identifies actions to mitigate risk/structurally eliminate the hazard.

Quality and Food Safety

  • Role Models, promotes and encourages a Food Safety & Quality culture within the Plant, leveraging GEMBA & Golden 6 Tours as key coaching opportunities.
  • Ensures that all Food Safety & Quality rules, policies & procedures (incl legislated requirements) are being followed and acts pro-actively by addressing any concerns.
  • Actively promotes a ‘run-to-target’ strategy, reduces Process Variability and participates in the daily food reviews to monitor and improve Finished Product Quality.
  • Works together with R&D on recipe upgrades and the Process Control strategy of the Plant and actively works with suppliers to reduce incoming material variability (with help of R&D and Procurement).
  • Assists in root cause analysis of incidents in the ‘Process’ area and identifies actions to mitigate risk/structurally eliminate the hazard (including but not limited to Adverse Events, Non-conformances, Food Safety/Quality Incidents & Alerts, …).

People

  • Fosters proactive, clear, consistent and transparent communication across Operations and the rest of the plant Daily Direction Setting meetings, Toolbox talks, shift team meetings and Shift Take Overs.
  • Actively drives capability building for the ‘Process’ area, linked to loss elimination and Management of Change.   
  • Acts as a coach for the Relief Operators, enabling to get multi-skilled and teaching them basic troubleshooting and loss elimination skills, in close collaboration with the Shift Production Managers and the Process Shift Supervisors.

Kellanova Work Systems (KWS)

  • Actively participates in one or more KWS Centre of Excellence teams and owns one of the critical Daily Management Systems (DMS). Participates in both the AM and CIPO CoE  as Operator technical capability building, loss elimination and OEE improvement are key deliverables for this position.
  • Ensures follow up of all critical Operational DMSs (including, but not limited to Defect Handling, Cleaning/Inspection/Lubrication, Center-lining) and actively drives implementation of Autonomous Maintenance and Equipment Ownership within the ‘Process’ area.
  • Drives the implementation of critical SmartFactory applications in the ‘Process’ area, including capability building/training, leveraging SmartFactory tools as part of key DMS’s, troubleshooting and loss elimination.
  • Actively drives benchmarking across other Kellanova facilities to capture learnings and foster reapplication.

Manufacturing and Operational Efficiency

  • Owns the overall OEE improvement and loss elimination journey for the ‘Process’ area, in close collaboration with the Shift Production Managers/Process Shift Supervisors for Capability building/Process Failure & Yield reduction, with the Processing and the Utilities Technician in the Maintenance department for Breakdown Elimination and with the QFS team on quality defects.  To this extent, he/she analyses shiftly/weekly/monthly trends and develops & drives relevant action plans to improve.
  • He/she analyses the leverages the full KWS toolbox in the journey to eliminate losses in the ‘Process’ area.
  • He/she owns the capacity plan for the ‘Process’ area: he/she ensures the Capacity Plan for Process gets updated on a quarterly basis, reflecting actual performance (rate/OEE) and capacity increase projects with high likelihood; he/she drives throughput opportunities, not only through improving OEE/reducing losses, but also through rate increases and debottlenecking of the ‘Process’ area.
  • He/she owns the Kellanova Integrated Margin Management (KIMM) pipeline (3 yrs) for the ‘Process’ area.
  • As owner of Management of Change for the ‘Process’ area, he/she gives input in design reviews, is the Single Point of Contact for R&D/Engineering projects and trials in the ‘Process’ area and ensures that critical processes/procedures and documentation get updated and relevant people are trained as part of the approved Change in close collaboration with EHS/QFS.  As part of Management of Change, he/she champions standardization across the Site.  He/she owns the Kellanova Start Up Management for the ‘Process’ area.

Preferred Education, Skill & Experience

  • Grade 12 or equivalent, A National Diploma or Degree in Chemical Engineering or relevant higher-level qualification,
  • At least 3-5 years working experience and proven exposure to working on improving processes in the manufacturing industry.

 

The ability to:

  • Plan and organize, attention to detail, quality and safety awareness, managing work.
  • Adaptability skill, initiating action, applied / continuous learning, stress tolerance and work standards.
  • Interact effectively through communication and building working relationships.
  • Achieve goals by contributing to the team success, inspiring others to action and follow up. Developing others by sharing knowledge and expertise and encouraging participation.

 

Sufficient / in depth, knowledge of:

 

  • Computer literacy including good command on Microsoft Office Suite
  • Minitab/Matlab
  • Six sigma or LEAN manufacturing
  • Problem solving
  • SAP

 

 

What’s Next?

After you apply, your application will be reviewed by a real recruiter – not a bot. This means it could take us a little while to get back with you so watch your inbox for updates. In the meantime, visit our How We Hire page to get insights into our hiring process and how to best prepare for a Kellanova interview.

About Kellanova

At Kellanova, we are driven by our vision to be the world’s best-performing snacks-led powerhouse, unleashing the full potential of our differentiated brands and our passionate people. Our portfolio of iconic, world-class brands include Pringles, Cheez-It, Pop[1]Tarts, MorningStar Farms, Special K, Krave, Zucaritas, Tresor, Crunchy Nut, among others.

 

Our focus on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I) enables us to build a culture of belonging where all employees have a place at the table and are inspired to share their passion, talents and ideas to work.

 

Mars has agreed to acquire Kellanova in a combination that will shape the future of snacking! The transaction is anticipated to close within the first half of 2025 (subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals). The companies remain separate until closing. You can learn more at www.futureofsnacking.com , and our hiring teams will be happy to discuss further questions if your application advances in the hiring process.

About Kellanova AMEA

Home to 75% of the world's population and contributing to 50% of the global GDP, the AMEA region represents a vast and promising market for Kellanova. This region provides an extensive geographic presence and holds substantial growth potential, especially considering our diverse portfolio spanning multiple categories.

 

AMEA is strategically positioned for growth, positioning itself to become a prominent player in the snacking industry while maintaining a steady trajectory of cereal growth. As we expand our product offerings, reach new geographic horizons, and increase investments in emerging markets within AMEA, you have the opportunity to become an integral part of a dynamic and forward-thinking organization. We are deeply committed to investing in our people and enhancing our capabilities to deliver value to our stakeholders.

 

 

 

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