Food Processing Engineer & Continuous Improvement Lead

PastryStar

Laurel (MD)

On-site

USD 55,000 - 65,000

Full time

2 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

401(k) matching

Dental insurance

Employee discount

Health insurance

Paid time off

Vision insurance

Job summary

PastryStar is seeking a hands-on Food Processing Engineer / Continuous Improvement Specialist to support pastry manufacturing operations and future growth. You will lead manufacturing improvements, assist with a new plant buildout, document processes and SOPs, and help with equipment selection, installation, and validation for scalable operations.

The ideal candidate has 3–5 years in food manufacturing and a strong background in process engineering, continuous improvement, and GMP compliance,

Qualifications

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in industrial engineering or food processing engineering or related field preferred; equivalent hands-on manufacturing experience may be considered.
Minimum 3–5 years in food manufacturing, process engineering, continuous improvement, or similar manufacturing role.
Experience in bakery/pastry ingredient manufacturing or regulated GMP environments is highly desirable.
Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, equipment, quality standards, and food safety practices.
Experience with documenting processes, SOPs, training materials, and standard work instructions.

Responsibilities

Support planning, coordination, and project management of the new manufacturing plant buildout.
Document, standardize, and improve manufacturing processes, SOPs, and training materials for pastry ingredient production.
Assist with equipment evaluation, installation, testing, and validation for scalable manufacturing.
Lead continuous improvement initiatives to reduce waste and improve product consistency.
Collaborate with QA to ensure GMP, sanitation, and food safety standards are followed on the floor.
Develop visual management tools and dashboards to improve communication and accountability.