R&D Process Engineer

Job Overview

• Works within the parameters of manufacturing and personnel to develop or improve the processes to improve efficiency and/or decrease costs
• Responsible for the overall process design and measures for the improvement of manufacturing
• Formulates manufacturing processes for new products and works closely with Research and Development to scale up processes from the laboratory to production
• Works to improve the present manufacturing or production processes to boost productivity, quality and profitability
• This position interacts with production, engineering, QA/QC and plant management
• Complies with GMP and HAACP guidelines to ensure food safety
• Operates within given SOP parameters that ensure desired food quality results and maintain customer specification requirements

Duties and Responsibilities

• Works closely with R&D, marketing and other functions to formulate a manufacturing process for new products
• Conduct trials for new products, to change/modify existing products or when new equipment is introduced
• Report food safety and quality issues to Plant management and SQFP
• Follow PIM Brands GMP rules
• Monitor fellow employees for adherence to GMP’s.
• Scale up products from the R&D phase to production
• Work closely with plant and production management as well as engineering to develop a cost effective and efficient production process
• Establish detailed specifications for the production of all products
• Conduct tests on systems for efficiency and accuracy to obtain a quality product and cost effective process
• Improve the present manufacturing or production processes to boost productivity, quality and profitability
• Implement the transition of new technology
• Identify and/or address process problems or product problems which can be related to the production process
• Collect, interpret and analyze data to look for optimal results and outcomes
• Develop new processes and formulations
• Conduct process development trials to scale in the laboratory
• Work with R&D to scale up products to the production process
• Support conversion of small-scale processes into commercially viable large scale operation
• Monitor modifications and upgrades, and troubleshoot existing processes
• Work with engineering on equipment needs and sourcing
• Work closely with product when processes are finalized and approved for implementation to ensure the complete understanding is achieved (turnover to production)
• Optimize all processes for desired results
• Prepare reports, flow diagrams and charts
• Ability to work additional hours as needed

Education, Experience, and Training

• Bachelor of Science degree in an engineering field is strongly preferred
• Advanced degree in food science desired
• Product development in a food manufacturing plant or setting needed
• Excellent oral and written communication skills required, bi-lingual (English/Spanish) is a plus
• Ability to deliver professional and effective presentations to management and staff is essential
• Computer proficiency in office software required
• Must possess strong analytical, problem solving skills along with sound judgment
• Statistical process control and quality systems experience required
• Ability to anticipate as well as avoid potential problems based on prior experiences and knowledge of manufacturing and quality systems
• Ability to work flexible hours when needed
• Willing to be trained on other aspects of the business

Physical Demands/Essential Job Functions