Senior Scientist Process Engineer – Pet Food R&D at J.M. Smucker

Orrville, Ohio, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Pet Food, Food ProcessingIndustries

Requirements

Bachelor's in chemical engineering, Food Science, Mechanical Engineering, or related field (required); advanced degree in Chemical Engineering, Food Science, or Mechanical Engineering (preferred)
5+ years' experience with advanced degree, or 10+ years with Bachelor’s; experience in food manufacturing, thermal processing, and extrusion
Demonstrated knowledge of food safety standards and validation practices
Successful cross-functional project leadership and change management
Skilled in process modeling/simulation (i.e. JMP, Aspen, Minitab) for throughput and quality optimization
Understanding of ingredient functionality and its effect on food quality
Experienced in scaling up and commercializing (CQV) processes
Strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities
Able to work independently and lead projects from planning through delivery

Responsibilities

Champion process development and optimization for thermal processing and twin-screw extrusion, driving innovation and best practices within cross-functional teams
Design, execute, and interpret trials for food processing innovations, facilitating knowledge-sharing and collaboration among teams
Lead the successful scale-up and commercialization of new products and technologies by fostering teamwork and effective communication demonstration of CQV tools and principles
Provide technical leadership and mentorship, guiding lab activities, supporting onboarding, and developing technical training programs for team members at all levels
Collaborate across departments to identify opportunities for process improvements, solve technical challenges, and ensure alignment with business goals
Analyze processing data using advanced modeling and simulation tools to establish specifications and guide team decision-making
Drive continuous improvement initiatives and support organizational change management, ensuring all stakeholders are engaged and informed throughout transitions
Manage capital projects including equipment installation, layout planning, and vendor coordination, while leading project teams and maintaining collaborative vendor relationships
Lead Design of Experiments (DOE) efforts, encouraging creative problem-solving and cross-functional contributions to system and process enhancements
Operate independently and efficiently, managing projects with minimal supervision, while promoting an inclusive and cooperative team environment, including up to 30% seasonal travel as needed