Bakery Process Engineering Lead: Scale-Up & Optimization

J&J Snack Foods Corp; La Vergne (TN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

J&J Snack Foods Corp in La Vergne, TN is seeking a Process Engineering Lead to drive bakery process design, commercialization, and continuous improvement across manufacturing operations. You will apply deep expertise in dough systems, thermal processing, and high-speed production to scale up new products and improve yield, quality, and efficiency.

Reporting to the VP of Engineering, you will lead capital projects from concept through startup, collaborate with R&D and Quality, and mentor teams to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Mechanical, Food, or related Engineering field.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in commercial bakery or thermal food manufacturing.
• Experience with high-speed automated production lines and packaging systems.
• Solid understanding of GMPs, HACCP, sanitary design, and food safety standards.
• Experience with PLC systems (Allen Bradley preferred) and manufacturing automation.

Responsibilities

• Lead bakery process design from pilot to full-scale production.
• Specify equipment, verify process parameters, and document costs.
• Drive capital projects from concept through startup.
• Collaborate with R&D, Quality, and cross-functional teams.
• Lead continuous improvement using Lean and Six Sigma.

Skills

Process design

Lean Six Sigma

DOE

SPC

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

GMP/HACCP knowledge

Data-driven improvement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical/Mechanical/Food Engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLCs

Job description

J&J Snack Foods Corp in La Vergne, TN is seeking a Process Engineering Lead to drive bakery process design, commercialization, and continuous improvement across manufacturing operations. You will apply deep expertise in dough systems, thermal processing, and high-speed production to scale up new products and improve yield, quality, and efficiency.

Reporting to the VP of Engineering, you will lead capital projects from concept through startup, collaborate with R&D and Quality, and mentor teams to