Senior Process Engineer

Schwan's Company - Salina, KS

Full-time - Mid Level

Salina, KS

Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods

About the position

Schwan's Company, a prominent U.S. manufacturer and marketer of quality foods, is seeking a Senior Process Development Engineer for its Salina, Kansas campus. This position is part of a significant food manufacturing expansion project, which aims to establish new, highly automated manufacturing facilities that are unparalleled in the industry. The Senior Process Development Engineer will play a crucial role in identifying, developing, improving, and testing innovative food processing techniques. This high-visibility role requires a blend of technical expertise and leadership skills, as the engineer will mentor and coach team members while serving as an expert across multiple areas of the organization. The engineer will be responsible for developing and commercializing new and breakthrough process technologies that facilitate new product introductions, enhance process efficiency, and reduce costs in alignment with the company's business plans. This includes evaluating manufacturing options, both internally and externally, and defining the process design strategy and operating conditions to meet key product attributes and manufacturing KPIs. The role also involves leading the development of all technical documentation, such as line visualizations, process flow diagrams, process specifications, and manufacturing process control plans. In addition to technical responsibilities, the Senior Process Development Engineer will be expected to drive a collaborative mindset across various functions, including R&D, Manufacturing, and Business Units. The engineer will influence and gain buy-in for new technologies and lead cross-functional teams on complex projects. Effective communication skills are essential, as the engineer will need to present preliminary capital proposals for new processing technologies and cost reduction opportunities, including ROI determinations.

Responsibilities

• Develops and commercializes new and breakthrough process technology to enable new product introduction, process efficiency improvements and cost reduction projects that support existing and future business plans.
• Develops manufacturing options including evaluation of both internal and external plants and defines the process design strategy and operating conditions that delivers on key product attributes, cost, and all manufacturing KPIs.
• Leads development of all technical documentation, including line visualization, process flow diagram, process specifications, process gap analysis, design basis, and manufacturing process control plans.
• Expert at advanced statistics, experimental designs (DOE) and six sigma in problem solving.
• Mentors and coaches team members within the technical community of the company.
• Drives cross functional one table one team mindset across assignments with functions in R D, Manufacturing and Business Units.
• Effectively influences sell and obtain buy-in for new and breakthrough technologies.
• Effectively leads cross functional teams on large or complex projects.
• Effective communicator, who can develop and present preliminary capital proposals of new processing technology, equipment, or cost reduction opportunities including determination of ROI.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Science in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical or Food) combined with 6+ years of related experience. Master's of Science in Engineering preferred.
• 2+ years of experience in consumer-packaged goods (CPG) a plus!
• Highly effective communicator of technical information with clarity with all levels of the organization both verbal and written communication.
• Working knowledge of Process Development Engineering; Product development process, and stage gate process; Project Management;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, Minitab, SolidWorks and AutoCAD. 3D printing experience is a plus.
• Incorporates a high level of technical knowledge & expertise into decisions.
• Ability to develop and execute Commissioning, Qualification and Verification protocols.