Senior Process Development Engineer
Job Description
Rich’s, also known as Rich Products Corporation, is a family-owned food company dedicated to inspiring possibilities. From cakes and icings to pizza, appetizers and specialty toppings, our products are used in homes, restaurants and bakeries around the world. Beyond great food, our customers also gain insights to help them stay competitive, no matter their size. Our portfolio includes creative solutions geared at helping food industry professionals compete in foodservice, retail, in-store bakery, deli, and prepared foods, among others. Working in 100 locations globally, with annual sales exceeding $4 billion, Rich’s is a global leader with a focus on everything that family makes possible. Rich’s®—Infinite Possibilities. One Family.
PURPOSE STATEMENT
Serves as technical lead on multiple high complexity projects to identify solutions, deliver process and product innovations and renovation portfolio, optimization/improvement projects, and cost savings in assigned product categories.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES/OUTCOMES
- Lead and execute medium to high complexity process development and product development projects from concept to commercialization including new technology/capabilities, new product platform within assigned categories. Work with cross functional team to qualify co-manufactures to develop and launch new process capabilities or new products. Influence internal and external project teams on project scope and execution plans on a complex range of process and product innovation and renovation projects. Utilizing strong understanding of business strategies, market and competitive landscape, trends, and P&L to meet project success criteria
- Lead and execute the study of process and equipment alternatives and Pilot Equipment Validation through Design of Experiments (DOE) to determine the effect of process parameters on product quality, throughput, and cost.
- Support the creation, design, and the development of new experimental protocols/best practices to maximize R&D effectiveness and efficiencies in executing R&D projects.
- Provide technical support to Operations to resolve high complexity product and processes related production issue by identifying root cause, develop technical solutions, and implement changes including training QA/Operations personnel on findings.(resolving production/quality issues)
- Support an environment that fosters innovation by continually introducing ideas and product concepts for new products, quality improvements, and productivity and facilitate calculated risk taking.
- Develop raw material strategy in collaboration with supply chain group and external vendors for differentiated new product performance and quality or cost reduction
- Support the creation, design, and the development of new experimental protocols/best practices to maximize R&D effectiveness and efficiencies in executing R&D projects.
- Provide technical and business risk assessment /perspectives related to new product development and technical brand stewardship activities
- Leads, trains and mentors junior engineers and scientists. Provides technical advice to others within specialty
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical/Food/Mechanical Engineering or related engineering field with 6 years food process development and project management experience from concept through commercialization OR M.S. Chemical/Food/Mechanical Engineer or related engineering field with 4 years food process and project management from concept through commercialization OR PhD Chemical/Food/Mechanical Engineer or related engineering field with 2 years food process development and project management from concept through commercialization
- Demonstrated experience to independently apply technical standards, principles, theories, concepts and techniques, interpret data through sound experimental design and statistical analysis
- Demonstrated experience in leading multiple high complexity projects including novel platforms within assigned product category in a cross-functional environment while delivering significant results
- Deep understanding of food systems, ingredients, packaging, and processing interactions, experimental design, and statistical analysis
- Demonstrated experience to deal with ambiguity and can comfortable manage risks, changing priorities, and uncertainty.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and proven ability to work and influence across functions
- Demonstrated understanding and experience with capital projects and design-commissioning-qualification-verification engineering principles (DCQV)
- Strong project management skills
- Physical requirements:
- Able to lift up to 30 lbs.
- Able to stand for 6 or more hours during the work day
- Able to compare and distinguish differences in ingredients, materials, etc. through taste, smell, touch and visual inspection
- Manual dexterity required to operate various equipment such as lab and pilot plant equipment, etc.
- Computer Skills:
- Solid PC proficiency (Excel, Word, database, statistical software) and the ability to create spreadsheets, computer analysis, report writing. Proficient with relevant software tools (e.g. PLM, etc.). Solid knowledge and experience with CAD and other engineering software programs
- Ability to use database, presentation and project management software beneficial
- Travel:
- Travels regularly, up to 20%
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Rich Products Corporation, its subsidiaries and affiliates (“Rich’s”), are committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state, or local law. The information collected by this application is solely to determine suitability for employment, verify identity, and maintain employment statistics on applicants.
Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on Rich’s. Please contact Rich’s Human Resources department at asc@rich.com if you need assistance completing this application or to otherwise participate in the application process.
