Operations Engineer

IFF; Calbuco; Hybrid; CLP 13,000,000 - 25,000,000; Full time

Job summary

IFF is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients and health & biosciences. Based in Pargua, Chile, the role follows a hybrid model with three days onsite and two days remote per week, connecting Production, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain and Digital Transformation to improve performance.

The hands-on role focuses on using data and operations knowledge to turn challenges on the plant floor into sustainable improvements, supporting MES, digital analytics and plant

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering or related discipline required.
• Experience in manufacturing, plant operations or process industries preferred.
• Strong understanding of continuous improvement and structured problem-solving methods.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and analyze manufacturing data and KPI trends (safety, quality, OEE, throughput).
• Identify production constraints and drive improvements with cross-functional teams.
• Collaborate with Production, Maintenance, Quality and Engineering to optimize capacity and process stability.
• Lead process optimization initiatives to improve productivity, quality and cost competitiveness.
• Contribute to MES and digital transformation efforts and support plant trials and capital projects.
• Develop performance dashboards and support standardization and compliance.

Skills

Process optimization

OEE analysis

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

SAP knowledge

MS Office

English fluency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering or related

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Summary

Are you ready to turn data, technology and hands-on manufacturing expertise into meaningful improvements on the plant floor?

IFF is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients and health & biosciences. We deliver sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products.

The role is based in Pargua and follows a hybrid work model, with three days onsite and two days remote per week.

Be part of a collaborative, proactive and solution-oriented team where you’ll connect Production, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain and Digital Transformation to improve manufacturing performance. This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys spending time on the plant floor, working closely with production operators and turning operational challenges into sustainable improvements.

Where You’ll Make a Difference

• Monitor, analyze and report operational key performance indicators across safety, quality, Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), First Pass First Quality (FPFQ), yield, throughput, downtime and production performance.
• Identify and resolve production constraints, process deviations, operational losses and equipment-related performance issues through structured analysis and collaboration with plant teams.
• Partner with Production, Maintenance, Quality and Engineering to improve plant performance, process stability, manufacturing capacity and operational results.
• Lead process optimization initiatives that improve productivity, efficiency, product quality, throughput and cost competitiveness.
• Work with Maintenance and Manufacturing Technology to improve equipment performance and reliability, increase manufacturing capacity and support Maximum Demonstrated Rate (MDR) objectives.
• Manage and optimize process parameters, operating standards and manufacturing recipes to improve consistency and First Pass First Quality.
• Collaborate with Digital Transformation teams on Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), TrakSYS solutions and operational analytics, connecting business requirements with plant needs.
• Design, coordinate and evaluate plant trials, process improvements and technology or capital projects that enhance operational performance.
• Develop operational analyses, performance dashboards and fact-based business cases while promoting standardization, continuous improvement and compliance with safety, quality, environmental and corporate standards.

What Makes You the Right Fit

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Chemical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Experience working in manufacturing, industrial operations, process industries or plant environments.
• Experience with process optimization, production improvement and operational performance analysis.
• Strong understanding of continuous improvement, root cause analysis and structured problem-solving methods.
• Experience collaborating across Production, Maintenance, Quality, Engineering or similar plant functions.
• Ability to analyze manufacturing data and key performance indicators and translate findings into practical actions.
• Working knowledge of SAP and Microsoft Office tools.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with production operators and cross-functional teams.
• Advanced, fluent English communication skills.

How Would You Stand Out?

• Experience with Manufacturing Execution Systems, TrakSYS or manufacturing digitalization initiatives.
• Experience supporting industrial technology implementation, capital projects or manufacturing process modifications.
• A proactive, hands-on approach and the ability to combine analytical thinking with strong collaboration on the plant floor.

Why Choose Us?

• A role with direct exposure to manufacturing operations and opportunities to turn analysis into tangible plant improvements.
• Cross-functional collaboration across Production, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain and Digital Transformation.
• Opportunities to contribute to process optimization, operational excellence and manufacturing digitalization.
• Exposure to plant trials, technology implementation and capital improvement initiatives.
• A hybrid work model with three days onsite and two days remote per week.

We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability.

Visit IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion to learn more