Associate Process Engineer

Mizkan America; Owensboro (KY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Mizkan America is seeking an Associate Process Engineer to enhance food processing operations in Owensboro. This on-site role focuses on process design, optimization, and compliance with safety standards. Ideal candidates will have a degree in engineering and up to 3 years of experience in a relevant field.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Paid Time Off

401k With Match

Profit Sharing

Education Assistance

Employee Referral Bonus

Qualifications

• 0-3 years of process engineering experience in food or beverage processing.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
• Commitment to safety and company values.

Responsibilities

• Identify opportunities to improve capacity and efficiency in manufacturing.
• Assist in the development of new processes for pasta sauces.
• Conduct root cause analysis and support project proposals.

Skills

Problem analysis

Creative thinking

Communication

Project management

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

BS degree in Engineering

MS in Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Description

Job Description

COMPRENHENSIVE BENEFITS PACKAGE:

Medical - Dental - Vision - Paid Time Off - Disability - Life and AD&D - 401k With Match - Profit Sharing - Health & Flex Spending Accounts - Employee Assistance Program - Wellness Program - Education Assistance - Employee Referral Bonus

COMMENTS: This job description outlines the essential functions of the role; however, it does not limit or dictate the specific tasks that may be assigned. This is an On-Site position requiring full-time work at the plant. We strongly encourage veterans, minorities, and women to apply.

SUMMARY:

The Associate Process Engineer must follow all plant safety, Good Manufacturing Practices and Food Safety rules and regulations. Documentation and paperwork procedures must be followed as well as verbal and written instructions and guidelines according to the job requirements. The Associate Process Engineer applies expertise and problem-solving skills to deliver results in food processing, bottling, and packaging. The Associate Process Engineer will supervise the design, construction, installation, and start-up of processes related to food manufacturing. The Associate Process Engineer will create, review, and improve processes in raw material handling, storage, blending, kitchen operations, bottling operations and other process areas as needed. Success requires skills in communication with all levels of the organization, project management, root cause analysis, problem resolution, and continuous improvement. The ability to work with cross-functional teams cannot be underestimated. This role does not have direct reports.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Study factory operations and identify opportunities to cost-effectively improve capacity, quality, efficiency, and/or sustainability in Owensboro.
• Assists in the development of new processes for the production of pasta sauces.
• Supports continuous improvement efforts on existing pasta sauce processes.
• Assists in engineering studies on new and existing manufacturing processes, equipment, tooling, and materials by collecting data, performing basic analysis, and supporting experiments aimed at optimizing production efficiency, reducing waste/scrap, and ensuring compliance with quality and safety standards.
• Assists in identifying and documenting errors in inefficiencies in manufacturing processes and supports the development of corrective actions to minimize defects and deviations. This contributes to improving customer experience through data collection and process monitoring.
• Supports change management activities when introducing or modifying processes, including updating documentation.
• Participate in defining and implementing quality checks for new or revised processes, ensuring they align with production goals and food safety standards.
• Helps develop and maintain process documentation to ensure consistent, high-quality output. May support projects related to foreign material reduction, food waste, and wastewater under supervision.
• Assists in conducting root cause analysis and other problem-solving activities. Gathers data, prepares reports, and supports senior engineers in implementing solutions.
• Supports the preparation of project proposals by collecting technical data, vendor quotes, and cost estimates for project submittals, ROI analyses, and capital expenditure reviews.
• May assist in regulatory documentation and audits, supporting compliance with OSHA, EPA, BRC, and other third party requirements.
• Collaborates with corporate and plant teams to support process design and implementation efforts. Contributes to documentation, testing, and tracking of project process.
• Provides technical support to the Engineering team in the design and evaluation of processing equipment by contributing to design reviews, preparing documentation, and assisting with equipment testing and validation under the guidance of senior engineers.
• Provides technical support to the Engineering team in the design and layout of processing equipment. Participates in design reviews and testing activities.
• Participates in small-scale process improvement projects or portions of larger projects related to process development, implementation, or optimization.
• Assists in gathering information and supporting the capital planning process for facility improvements in Owensboro.
• Helps draft request documentation for proposed solutions, including obtaining supplier quotes and preparing cost breakdowns.
• Supports the safe execution of approved capital projects by assisting in the creation of purchase orders, coordinating scheduling, and tracking work progress.
• Aids in monitoring the execution of assigned projects by providing updates on safety, timing, budget, and resources to project leads or engineering supervisors.

EDUCATION:

• BS degree in Engineering required. MS in Engineering a plus.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• 0-3 years of process engineering experience in a food or beverage processing/manufacturing environment.
• Must be able to work with consultants and contractors.
• Commitment to safety, excellent work, high standards, and company values.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple projects, priorities and meet deadlines.
• Problem analysis and problem resolution at both a strategic and functional level.
• Ability to work with all levels (plant personnel and corporate management).
• Good technical judgment with the ability to make timely and sound decisions.
• Creative, flexible, and innovative team player.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work enthusiastically with constantly changing priorities.
• Effective level of interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to persuade and influence others to assist with and complete projects.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is essential.
• Ability to travel from 0-50% depending on company needs.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Physical aspects of the job as performed in an 8-hour workday.

• Must be able to see, sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, reach, bend, twist, ascend/ descend.
• Ability to pull, push, lift and carry up to 50 lbs., 50+ lbs. with assistance.

• Estimated Percent of Time is based on ___Day, ___Week, or ___Month.

POSITION TITLE: Associate Process Engineer

Activity

Estimated

Percent

of Time

Accommodation - adjustment of eye to bring object into sharp focus - important for near/detail work.

100

Acuity, Near - clarity of vision of 20 inches or more.

100

Acuity, Far - clarity of vision of 20 feet or more.

100

Balancing - maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling.

100

Carrying - transporting an object, usually holding it in the hands, arms or on the shoulder.

90

Climbing - ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, ropes, and the like, using the feet and legs and/or hands and arms.

50

Color vision - ability to identify and distinguish colors.

100

Crawling - moving about on the hands and knees or hands and feet.

20

Crouching - bending using the back and or knees.

50

Depth Perception - three-dimensional vision. Ability to judge distance and space relationships.

100

Driving - operating an automobile or other vehicle to conduct job duties.

75

Feeling - perceiving attributes of objects such as size, shape, temperature, or texture by means of receptors in the skin, particularly those of the fingertips.

50

Field of Vision - area that can be seen up and down or left and right.

100

Fingering - picking, pinching, or otherwise working with the fingers primarily (rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling).

50

Handling - seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with the hands (fingering not involved).

100

Hearing - perceiving the nature of sounds by the ear.

100

Kneeling - bending the legs at the knees to come to rest on the knee.

60

Lifting - raising or lowering an object from one level to another (includes upward pulling).

75

Pulling - exerting force upon an object so that the object moves toward the force (includes jerking).

75

Pushing - exerting force upon an object so that the object moves away from the force.

75

Reaching - extending the hand and arm in any direction.

90

Sitting - remaining in the normal seated position.

50

Standing - remaining in an upright position at a work station without moving about.

80

Stooping - bending the body downward and forward.

80

Talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.

95

Walking - moving about on foot.

95