Expert Process Engineer

Nestlé - Waverly, IA

Full-time - Mid Level

Waverly, IA

Food Manufacturing

About the position

The Expert Process Engineer at Nestlé will provide technical expertise in process engineering to enhance operational performance and support continuous improvement initiatives within the manufacturing and packaging sectors. This role involves teaching, coaching, and mentoring factory teams, optimizing existing processes, and collaborating with R&D and vendors to develop training content. The position requires a hands-on approach to problem-solving and the ability to implement process-related improvements that advance safety, quality, efficiency, and cost savings.

Responsibilities

• Build Product & Process Mastership in Factory and Technical Application Group (TAG) teams.
• Teach, coach and assess factory experts to enhance their processing capabilities.
• Provide guidance and mentoring to TAG team members regarding process implications on new product development.
• Partner with R&D and vendors to develop training content for key processes.
• Optimize and improve existing processes across the manufacturing landscape.
• Identify, organize, and conduct relevant process capability testing.
• Develop or refine processing equipment standards and routines for existing equipment.
• Ideate, assess and implement process-related continuous improvement opportunities.
• Apply deep technical expertise to projects and challenges using sound methodologies.
• Partner with Engineering and R&D on the development, installation, and start-up of new processes.
• Conduct pilot scale experiments and industrial scale trial runs with new equipment or processes.
• Collaborate with Corporate Engineering and R&D to establish project priorities and technical requirements.
• Verify that new production lines are created in accordance with divisional standards during the design/build phase.
• Organize site acceptance testing of key equipment to verify technical performance criteria.
• Lead or support the commissioning, qualification, and validation of new processing equipment.

Requirements

• B.A. or B.S. Degree required, preferably in Engineering or Operations related subject.
• Hands-on experience with Continuous Improvement implementation or similar CI methodologies.
• Minimum 8 years of engineering or processing experience in food and beverage operations/manufacturing.
• Factory experience to provide credibility when working with Factory Managers and teams.
• Deep understanding of factory operations, including equipment, automation, maintenance, and quality control processes.

Nice-to-haves

• Project Management Experience
• Experience in incorporating safety in process/equipment design

Benefits

• Inclusive workplace culture
• Opportunities for career advancement
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion