Cost Engineer

Job Description Summary Position Summary: This position supports Lamb Weston's Journey to Zero by providing clear, concise, and relevant cost analysis, estimating, and guidance to project teams. The successful applicant will develop, document, and demonstrate a world class project estimating system involving projects in excess of $400MM. In addition, the candidate will provide cost guidance to plants and technical teams. Comparison of project close out costs to initial estimates is a critical activity, implementing those learning back into the developed estimating system is critical. The successful candidate will work and guide purchasing in bid tab development and analysis and be a critical member of capital project development. Extensive interactions with senior leaders in Lamb Weston will be normal. Analysis of emerging pricing trends, labor rates, and general costing is required. At Lamb we grow our people. The successful applicant must train select Lamb Weston personnel in best practices for effective and efficient estimating. Working closely with the various levels of Procurement, Operations Management, EHSS, Food Protection, Engineering, Continuous Improvement, Plant Staff, and Production Personnel is critical. This is based out of our Kennewick, Washington, engineering office. Job Description Position Responsibilities: Provide leadership and support for estimating, cost tracking, and reporting. Develop, prove, implement, and improve a cost estimating system. Estimating material, labor, and construction costs for budget preparation. Be aware and bring that knowledge to bear in forecasting construction and equipment cost trends. Identify and aid in bringing cost cutting improvements to global engineering specifications and standards. Perform quality and performance analysis on historical and ongoing projects. Lead and work with purchasing to maximize purchase value. Writing reports and compiling data regarding project costing, trends, and future guidance. Serve as leader and mentor teaching cost estimating and analysis. Meet or exceed project quality, cost, schedule, and performance metrics. Job Qualifications Position Requirements: BA or BS in Engineering, MBA or similar is a plus. 4 years of experience in industrial engineering or similar experience. Proven knowledge of engineering design software and equipment. Experience in project management of large capital projects and maintenance engineering is required. Food processing experience is desired. Manufacturing plant experience in production/quality assurance/maintenance/support is preferred. Must be detail orientated, possess excellent technical and analytical skills, and be a proven self-starter. Demonstrated capability to work on teams and support others. Must excel at working with numbers and managing large, complex budgets and mathematical software tools. Excellent verbal and written communication skills as this position will present and communicate with the senior leaders of Lamb Weston on a regular basis. Proficiency in desktop applications to include Windows, Excel, Word, PowerPoint. Strong working knowledge of data base systems is a plus. Understanding of IQF potato manufacturing is desirable. Ability to travel up to 25% of the time on average with peaks potentially exceeding that amount for some duration. Physical Requirements: Incumbent must have the ability to effectively perform all of the following physical demands without assistance: Sitting for up to 8 hours a day Lift up to 15 pounds occasionally (up to 25 pounds infrequently). Walking on various manufacturing facility surfaces Climbing up ladders and stairs Exposed to plant noises and vibrations Temperature changes from hot to cold depending on work area Ability to safely operate a Company vehicle. Disclaimer This position description is not, and should not be construed to be, an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with the job. It is intended, however, to be an accurate reflection of those principal job elements essential for making decisions related to job performance, employee development and compensation. As such, the incumbent may perform other duties and responsibilities as required.