For more than 115 years, Ferrara has created sugar confections that enable moments of sweetness, celebration, and connection for candy lovers of all generations. Today, the company is the #1 sugar confectioner in the United States. Ferrara boasts a passionate team of nearly 9,000 employees creating and delivering hundreds of products sold under 20 popular brands like Brach’s®, NERDS®, SweeTARTS®, Laffy Taffy®, and Trolli® to more than 66 million U.S. households annually and popular Dori snacking products under brands such as Dori, Gomets, Pettiz, and Yogurte 100 in Brazil. Additionally, Jelly Belly, known world-wide for its confections, was acquired in November of 2023.

TPM Engineer

Job Location: ​Chicago​

This role is based in downtown Chicago on a hybrid schedule. This position requires travel to Chicagoland factories regularly as well as to other Ferrara factories, approximately 25% travel.

Want to make an impact?

The TPM Engineer will train and guide all Ferrara factories through projects, utilizing Autonomous Maintenance steps from Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) methodology. This person will support all Operations Managers to define Autonomous Work Groups (AWG), implementing manufacturing methodologies, systems, and tools. Methodologies will include but are not limited to safety (personnel and food), product quality, leadership, service the business, sources of loss, unit cost, and employee methods and performance.

Ways you will make a difference

  • Manages continuous improvement projects from start to completion, following up on results and verifying new standards
  • Leads, coaches, and trains teams through steps 1-3 of Autonomous Maintenance implementation
  • Utilizes the Autonomous Maintenance pillar of TPM in concert with other pillars – including Planned Maintenance and Focused Improvement Projects – to create new standards
  • Leads 5S models and maintains standards at manufacturing sites
  • Uses root cause analysis to manage improvements, including contamination elimination
  • Conducts improvement projects on production lines
  • Drives and supports cost ideations and diagnostics, along with tracking projects for visibility
  • Provides tracking and regular communication to various plant functions and teams regarding Manufacturing Reliability progress
  • Integrates system health and project monitoring into current structure (center-of-excellence meetings, operational reviews) to ensure sustainability of improvements
  • Identifies and troubleshoot chronic and sporadic losses by engaging and collaborating with hourly personnel and supervisors
  • Drives losses to zero using Lean principles
  • Utilizes systems and tools to deliver a reduction in minor stops and breakdowns
  • Drives restoration to base condition of bottleneck equipment through AM and PM execution (CILs, Centerlines, Defect Identification, 5S, Visual Management)
  • Utilize and analyze data to make informed decisions that help support business needs

Skills that will make you successful

  • Excellent problem-solving skills
  • Experience implementing AM models
  • Analytically minded
  • Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of the organization
  • Ability to plan and manage priorities
  • Ability to lead cross-functional teams across all levels of the organization
  • Ability to influence without authority
  • Building effective relationships amongst all levels of the organization
  • Change management leadership skills

Experiences that will support your success

  • Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or technical/business field
  • Experience leading continuous improvement projects using Lean and TPM in a manufacturing environment
  • TPM Experience, specifically experience in Autonomous Maintenance steps 1-3
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
  • Food manufacturing background preferred
  • General knowledge of ERP systems; SAP experience preferred
  • Formal Lean Six Sigma experience preferred
  • Willingness and ability to travel to our manufacturing sites, largely located in the Chicago area
  • Bilingual English/Spanish speaker a plus

What We Offer

At Ferrara, we're proud to support our employees with comprehensive benefits that enhance health, financial wellness, and include paid time off (PTO). Eligible employees may also receive an annual bonus based on company performance. Learn more about our benefits here.

Compensation

Compensation ranges from $70,000 to $96,000 annually, based on experience.

Ferrara’s success in industry-leading innovation has been driven by deep consumer insights, strong retailer co-creation and partnerships, and a dedication to diversity of thought, experience, and people. A privately held company, Ferrara has its global headquarters in Chicago and an operational network of more than 27 locations in North America, Brazil, and China that includes manufacturing, distribution, sales, and R&D facilities. Ferrara is a privately held Ferrero related company. Learn more at www.ferrara.com or www.linkedin.com/company/ferrara-.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, employment decisions and opportunities at Ferrara will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital or civil union status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, military or veteran status, disability, handicap, genetic information, pregnancy (childbirth or related medical condition), or on any other basis prohibited by law. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.