Our client is a large, global FOOD manufacturer of many well known and trusted branded foods. Due to continued growth and expansion, they have an immediate need for a SENIOR PROCESSING ENGINEER (ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL ENGINEER) to be based in the Kalamazoo, MI area. 

This is a senior-level R&D Engineering position which will provide process development expertise to a wide range of growth/quality/cost savings projects from ideation through commercialization. It will also be responsible to identify and commercialize new enabling technologies for the Division. This position provides broad exposure to operations, marketing/business teams, finance and other functional partners.  

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Ÿ  Will act as the PROCESSING ENGINEERING LEAD on cross-functional new product/process development teams and quality improvement/cost savings teams.

Ÿ  Will clearly and concisely communicates key project milestones to business partners and upper level management.

Ÿ  Plan, direct, execute, review and report on all process design activities involved in new product/process development projects and process/product improvement projects. Interprets results and translates into actionable recommendations/business solutions for on-time, in-budget execution. (Includes all project stages from concept development, lab/pilot plant creation, process design and commercialization/scale-up)

Ÿ  Collaborate with product development scientists and plant engineers on scale-up of process/formula from pilot plant to full plant production. Make recommendations on process design, product design, equipment selection and capital recommendations.

Ÿ  Initiate, design, plan and lead technical investigations into complex processing problems requiring new and innovative solutions

Ÿ  Operate pilot plant equipment for typical manufacturing processes. Assess and improve equipment function and ability to mimic plant scale equipment.

Ÿ  Lead identification, evaluation and implementation of new enabling technologies to create new product formats and/or improve current processes to drive competitive advantage and/or improved efficiency.

Ÿ  Act as a strong technical contributor in the development of strategic plans and initiatives.

Ÿ  Position will have direct reports, providing direct management for interns/co-ops and junior level engineers/scientists while maintaining own project work.

Ÿ  Writes, reviews, issues process, product and ingredient specifications to support all project work

Ÿ  Lead identification, evaluation and implementation of new enabling technologies 

REQUIREMENTS:

Ÿ  MUST have at least a BS Degree in Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering or similar Engineering degree.

Ÿ  MUST have at least 8 years of relevant work experience in the design and implementation of food product/process improvement, new product development and process system installation and start-up.

Ÿ  MUST be knowledgeable in food processing equipment design, operation and maintenance

Ÿ  MUST have demonstrated strong project management skills and managing multiple priorities.

Ÿ  MUST be familiar with the principles and mechanics of statistical analysis as used in designing an experiment and measuring process capabilities

Ÿ  MUST be proficient in process flow balancing

Ÿ  MUST possess excellent interpersonal skills (verbal and written

Ÿ  MUST have experience working in a team environment and   demonstrated effective cross-functional team and influencing skills.

Ÿ  MUST have excellent problem solving, trouble-shooting and strategic thinking skills

Ÿ  MUST have experience with the scale-up and commercialization of new products.

Ÿ  MUST have the ability to travel and lead project implementation at other facilities (up to 25%)