Process Engineering Research & Development - Sweet Baked Snacks

Employment Type: Full-time

Position Overview

In this role, you will leverage the fundamentals of Science and Process Engineering to lead and perform critical experimental work in applied research and/or development. This includes planning experiments, generating and analyzing data, and sharing recommendations with a cross-functional team. You will serve as the process engineer lead for Sweet Baked Snacks formats and provide input into project briefs to shape their evolution. Your responsibilities will involve planning and executing a broad range of technical tasks, working effectively independently or within a team. Your work will typically be hands-on in a lab, pilot plant, or plant operations, at a critical site, on a computer, or with consumers for all Sweet Baked Snacks.

Location & Work Arrangements

• Location: Orrville, OH
• Work Arrangements: Hybrid (60% or more in-office presence as business needs require)
• Travel: Ability to travel up to 30% on an ongoing basis (frequency dependent on projects and product launch pipeline). First 4-6 months could require up to 50% travel at times.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, scale-up, and commercialization of Innovation, Renovation & Value Engineering initiatives.
• Develop commissioning plans and lead commissioning, while supporting Operations with the qualification of new product & process technologies, as well as improving existing process technologies.
• Apply fundamental engineering principles (mass & energy balances, heat transfer, designed experimentation & data analysis, process flow diagrams, etc.) for appropriate decision-making and documentation for knowledge capture.
• Perform CAD design for tooling and process equipment as needed for new or improved product / process technologies.
• Interface with equipment suppliers, service providers, manufacturing facilities, and relevant business functions, including marketing and supply chain, to achieve goals.
• Design and execute experiments at supplier sites, in the lab, in the pilot plant, and in plant operations.
• Validate improvements/corrective actions that will deliver the desired benefits.
• Collect, review, and summarize trial and commissioning results, providing updates and go-forward recommendations to project teams and internal & external stakeholders.
• Participate as an active member of cross-functional project teams (Marketing, Finance, Operations, Engineering, Procurement, Co-pack, QA) to scale successful processes to commercial production scale.
• Perform additional R&D duties as assigned.

What We Are Looking For

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Food or Chemical preferred).
• 5 years of experience in process development or operations technical support within CPG (food/beverage preferred).
• Experience in food processing and exposure to a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to plan and execute designed experiments (DOE) and generate relevant process data to identify and mitigate process development and scale-up risks.
• Ability to communicate results to all levels of the organization.
• Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or Revit) for designing/revising/modifying drafts and technical drawings based on specifications, feasibility, manufacturability, and compliance with industry regulations and quality standards.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written. Ability to prepare and deliver presentations on projects independently.
• Strong organizational, critical thinking, and creativity skills.
• Ability to function as a technical leader in process engineering within multifunctional teams and provide leadership across multifunctional boundaries.
• Project management experience is highly valued.

The Right Place for You

We are bold, kind, strive to do the right thing, play to win, and believe in a strong community that thrives together. Our culture is rooted in our Basic Beliefs, and we believe in supporting every employee by meeting their physical, emotional, and financial needs.