Manufacturing Process and Packaging Engineer

General Mills Operations, LLC.; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 71,000 - 107,000; Full time

Job summary

General Mills is seeking a Manufacturing Process and Packaging Engineer (Systems Engineer) in the Cedar Rapids area. The role focuses on hands‑on troubleshooting, building system knowledge, and driving continuous improvement across the packaging and processing platform.

You will lead safety and food safety initiatives, develop foundational systems, and partner with cross‑functional teams to reduce losses, improve product quality, and increase productivity.

Qualifications

• BS in Engineering or related field with applicable experience.
• Experience with manufacturing systems and unit operations.
• Strong data analysis and statistical methods.
• Demonstrated leadership in collaborative environments.

Responsibilities

• Safety leadership and culture development aligned with Safety 2.0.
• Troubleshoot and solve on‑floor issues to build capability.
• Drive loss elimination and improve system reliability.
• Provide startup support and operational continuity.
• Collaborate with SE, QE, and Maintenance partners on platform improvements.

Skills

Manufacturing systems

Data analysis

Statistical analysis

Problem solving

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering

1+ years related experience

Food science or process/packaging science experience

Tools

SAP

Maximo

Manufacturing Analytics

MQIS

Job description

COMPANY OVERVIEW

We exist to make food the world loves. But we do more than that. Our company is a place that prioritizes being a force for good, a place to expand learning, explore new perspectives and reimagine new possibilities, every day. We look for people who want to bring their best — bold thinkers with big hearts who challenge one another and grow together. Because becoming the undisputed leader in food means surrounding ourselves with people who are hungry for what’s next.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Manufacturing Process and Packaging Engineer (internally called a Systems Engineer) role provides technical leadership and serves as a system and product specialist. They are responsible to build the team’s packaging and processing technical skills through a hands‑on approach. They are accountable for the operational foundation systems across the platform to secure basic conditions and drive out losses. The Manufacturing Process and Packaging Engineer plays a critical role to continuously improve by optimizing system performance and product quality while driving strategic productivity and capacity solutions for the platform and ultimately the business. This level is an entry role to the Manufacturing Process and Packaging Engineer career. The primary focus will be on daily troubleshooting, problem solving and on‑floor activities to build confidence, capability and credibility with the theory of operations, 4M relationships and our product portfolios. It involves significant floor time to understand manufacturing processes, coupled with development within the System Engineering JTA. As progress is made to grow equipment and technical knowledge, overall capability will improve to identify and execute solutions for performance improvements and loss elimination.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Safety Lead food and human safety through Safety 2.0 leadership principles and standards: Cultivate Human Safety Culture that reduces risk by increasing capability to proactively discuss, identify and control risk.
• Cultivate Food Safety Culture that is committed to manufacturingsafe food that iscompliant with policyand regulatory requirements.
• Capability Building: Troubleshoot, problem solve and facilitate on‑floor activities to build team member confidence, and capability of theory of operation and Operational Foundational Systems (CIL, CL, DH). Communicate and engage effectively with teams on the manufacturing floor.
• Process Leadership and Ownership: Driving System Utilization (DSU): Responsible to build necessary skills around the development of Loss Tree and glidepaths for the line / system. Execute loss elimination tasks to improve system and equipment reliability through use of continuous improvement processes and problem solving. Execute HMM initiatives.
• Daily Direction Setting (DDS) and Operations Foundational Systems: Accountable for the operations foundational systems across the platform to secure basic conditions and drive out losses (Clean-Inspect-Lubricate CIL, Centerlines CL, and Theory of Operation TOO).
• Vertical Start‑Up (VSU): Provide Start‑up support to the platform team to drive execution and improvements.
• Know your Operation, Data and Technology: Gain exposure through a physical presence on the manufacturing floor to the 4M's (machine, materials, methods, human) to grow skills and understanding of interdependency of inputs. Gain exposure to data and information systems to identify and drive decision making (performance metrics, financial information, data historian, maintenance management system).
• Learn material balances and unit operation capability on your system(s) to ensure optimal production rates, parameters, and formulas.
• Develop through connections and learning from operators, technicians, maintenance, and peers through rigorous application and understanding of foundational systems.
• Back‑Up Support: This position will provide backup support as needed, ensuring business continuity and operational efficiency.
• Technical partners on platform team (SE, QE, Maintenance)

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering or related degree with applicable experience or extensive relevant work experience 1+ years of related experience Theory/functionality of manufacturing systems and unit operations Data and manufacturing performance metrics analysis Consumer Products or Process Industry experience Food science or process/packaging science experience Statistical analysis and analytical methods Mechanical aptitude General Engineering Principles knowledge Demonstrated leadership and working in a highly collaborative environment Success in driving results through process and teamwork Proven success reducing losses and improving performance in a manufacturing setting Demonstrated technical capability and knowledge of unit operations and manufacturing machinery Skilled at communicating between work groups, cross-functional resources, and other members of the plant and corporate teams Working knowledge of manufacturing data analysis systems (examples: SAP, Maximo, Manufacturing Analytics, MQIS) and proven success with decision making for results

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree (technical/science/engineering preferred) 2+ years of related experience

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

International relocation or international remote working arrangements (outside of the US) will not be considered. Applicants for this position must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis. General Mills will not sponsor applicants for this position for work visas.

SALARY RANGE

The salary range for this position is: $71,300 - $107,000 Annual At General Mills we strive for each employee's pay at any point in their career to reflect their experiences performance and skills for their current role. The salary range for this role represents the numerous factors considered in the hiring decisions including, but not limited to, educations, skills, work experience, certifications, etc. As such, pay for the successful candidate(s) could fall anywhere within the stated range. Beyond base salary, General Mills offers a competitive Total Rewards package focusing on your overall well‑being. We are proud to offer a foundation of health benefits, retirement and financial wellbeing, time off programs, wellbeing support and perks. Benefits may vary by role, country, region, union status, and other employment status factors. You may also be eligible to participate in an annual incentive program. An incentive award, if any, depends on various factors, including, individual and organizational performance.

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must meet a minimum 18-year age qualification.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER (EOE)

General Mills is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital or familial status, status regarding public assistance, or membership or activity in a local human rights commission.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUEST

If you need to request an accommodation during the application or hiring process, please fill out our online accommodation request form by following this link: Accommodation Request.

ABOUT US

New possibilities. Bold thinking. Real heart. Build remarkable brands with remarkable people. At General Mills, we make food the world loves. Across 100+ markets, we come together to create, innovate and grow. Here, you’ll do meaningful work and help to lead the future of food at a company that stands for good. Watch with captions in other languages here.