Pilot Plant Ops Lead — R&D, Quality & Innovation

Nestlé S.A.; Michigan, United States, Northern America, Americas; Hybrid; USD 107,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

Nestlé S.A. is seeking an experienced Research & Development Operations Manager to lead pilot plant operations at the Fremont site, driving trials for strategic R&D initiatives in Global Meals and drinks categories.

You will oversee operations, maintenance, and the NMS program, coaching a cross-functional team while ensuring quality, safety, and regulatory compliance. Collaboration with Quality and Food Safety is essential for successful industrialization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Technology, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 7 years related work experience.
• Experience managing people in a technical or operational function.
• Experience leading or contributing to the preparation of CapEx project submissions and basic project management experience would be an added benefit.
• Basic knowledge of ISO 22000 / NQMS / HACCP / Food Safety / NGMP / EFCA.
• Ability to lead, coach and develop people.
• Strong team player, excellent communication/relational and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience with Digital and AI tools in manufacturing preferred.

Responsibilities

• Operational management and planning to execute Pilot Plant trials in a timely and efficient manner.
• Coordinate all aspects of Maintenance and Improvement of Pilot plant equipment and local IT infrastructure.
• Ensure compliance of Pilot Plant facilities and infrastructure in terms of Quality & Food Safety, SH&E, Nestlé Policy, Guidelines and Regulations
• Ensure material and finished product availability from procurement and final disposition.
• Lead and coach team to deliver on performance objectives, define personal and professional development plans / career development
• Support innovation efforts and transfer knowledge of new technologies to support industrialization and Factory Start-up.
• Facilitates small to medium-scale projects in the pilot plant.
• Management of operating expenses and continuous improvement of the operations (efficiency, effectiveness, and capacity).
• Partner with Quality Management lead and provide leadership of NMS program to sustain compliance and improve efficiency and effectiveness.

Skills

People management

Project management

Communication

Team collaboration

Digital/AI in manufacturing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Technology

Job description

Nestlé S.A. is seeking an experienced Research & Development Operations Manager to lead pilot plant operations at the Fremont site, driving trials for strategic R&D initiatives in Global Meals and drinks categories.

You will oversee operations, maintenance, and the NMS program, coaching a cross-functional team while ensuring quality, safety, and regulatory compliance. Collaboration with Quality and Food Safety is essential for successful industrialization.