Engineer Foods Processing

Unilever; Englewood Cliffs (NJ); On-site; USD 71,000 - 107,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement savings benefits

Life insurance and disability benefits

Parental leave

Paid vacation and holidays

Sick leave

Bonus eligible

Job summary

Unilever is seeking a Process Development Specialist to join our R&D team in the United States. You will lead process design, pilot plant trials, and scale‑up from development to commercial production, collaborating across R&D, Quality, Supply Chain, and Operations.

This role emphasizes optimizing manufacturing efficiency, ensuring GMP/GLP compliance, and supporting new product introductions with data‑driven decisions, while bridging product development with manufacturing in a fast‑paced FMCG

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• Experience in food manufacturing, process development, or process engineering.
• Hands‑on pilot plant trials and scale‑up from development to production.
• Experience supporting factory operations.
• Knowledge of process optimization, quality improvement, and commercialization.
• Collaboration with R&D, Quality, Supply Chain, and Operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead process design, development, and optimization activities for innovation and renovation projects.
• Drive process improvements to enhance product quality, manufacturing efficiency, and value delivery.
• Plan, execute, and evaluate pilot plant trials, including analytical and sensory assessments.
• Prepare formulations, support batching activities, and manage ingredients, inventory, and logistics for pilot plant operations.
• Manage product sample inventory, shipping, storage, and disposal processes.
• Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to conduct product evaluations, showings, and factory trials.
• Analyze technical results and recommend data‑driven next steps to support project objectives.
• Lead specification creation and approval activities within SAP PLM for new ingredients, processes, and products.
• Support third‑party manufacturing launches and factory implementation activities.
• Participate in factory feasibility assessments, capability studies, and initial production runs.
• Identify opportunities to simplify ways of working and improve laboratory and pilot plant practices.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, GMP, GLP, SHE requirements, and relevant regulatory standards.

Skills

Food processing and manufacturing

Process development and optimization

Pilot plant and factory trials

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science/Engineering or related field

Tools

SAP PLM

Job description

About The Role

We are looking for a highly motivated Process Development Specialist to join our R&D team. This role is critical to delivering new product innovations and supporting existing manufacturing operations through process development, optimization, and commercialization activities. The successful candidate will bridge product development and manufacturing, working closely with cross-functional teams to ensure successful scale‑up, factory implementation, and continuous improvement.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with strong food manufacturing and processing expertise who enjoys combining hands‑on factory work with technical problem‑solving and innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead process design, development, and optimization activities for innovation and renovation projects.
• Drive process improvements to enhance product quality, manufacturing efficiency, and value delivery.
• Plan, execute, and evaluate pilot plant trials, including analytical and sensory assessments.
• Prepare formulations, support batching activities, and manage ingredients, inventory, and logistics for pilot plant operations.
• Manage product sample inventory, shipping, storage, and disposal processes.
• Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to conduct product evaluations, showings, and factory trials.
• Analyze technical results and recommend data‑driven next steps to support project objectives.
• Lead specification creation and approval activities within SAP PLM for new ingredients, processes, and products.
• Support third‑party manufacturing launches and factory implementation activities.
• Participate in factory feasibility assessments, capability studies, and initial production runs.
• Identify opportunities to simplify ways of working and improve laboratory and pilot plant practices.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, GMP, GLP, SHE requirements, and relevant regulatory standards.

Required Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Experience in food manufacturing, process development, or process engineering within the FMCG, food, or consumer products industry.
• Hands‑on experience conducting pilot plant trials and supporting scale‑up from development to commercial production.
• Experience working within manufacturing environments and supporting factory operations.
• Strong understanding of process optimization, quality improvement, and commercialization activities.
• Experience collaborating with cross‑functional teams including R&D, Quality, Supply Chain, and Operations.

Must‑Have Skills

• Food processing and manufacturing expertise.
• Process development and optimization experience.
• Pilot plant and factory trial execution.

Nice‑to‑Have Skills

• SAP PLM specification management.
• Sensory and analytical evaluation experience.
• Knowledge of GMP, GLP, FDA, and food industry regulatory requirements.

Soft Skills

• Strong problem‑solving and analytical thinking.
• Excellent collaboration and stakeholder management skills.
• Ownership mindset with the ability to work independently and proactively.

Why Join Us?

This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of innovation, manufacturing, and product commercialization, providing exposure to pilot plants, factory operations, cross‑functional collaboration, and global product launches while making a direct impact on the future of our business.

Pay

Pay: The pay range for this position is $71,400 to $107,200. Unilever takes into consideration a wide range of factors that are utilized in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, qualifications and education, and other business and organizational needs.

Bonus

Bonus: This position is bonus eligible.

Benefits

Benefits: Unilever employees are eligible to participate in our benefits plan. Should the employee choose to participate, they can choose from a range of benefits to include, but is not limited to, health insurance (including prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage), retirement savings benefits, life insurance and disability benefits, parental leave, sick leave, paid vacation and holidays, as well as access to numerous voluntary benefits. Any coverages for health insurance and retirement benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

Inclusion

At Unilever, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. We welcome applicants from all walks of life and are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive/succeed. All applicants will receive fair and respectful consideration, and we actively support the growth and development of every employee.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Protected Veterans / Persons With Disabilities

Unilever Is An Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Persons With Disabilities.

For more information on your federal rights, please see Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal

Verification and Assistance

Employment is subject to verification of pre‑screening tests, which may include drug screening, background check, credit check and DMV check.

If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please contact us at [e-mail]. Please note: This email is reserved for individuals with disabilities in need of assistance and is not a means of inquiry about positions or application statuses. The Protected Veterans or Individuals with Disabilities AAP narratives are available for inspection by any employee or applicant for employment Monday through Friday during normal business hours at establishment.