Principal Thermal Processing

Nestlé S.A.; Michigan; On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Nestlé USA is seeking a Principal – Thermal Processing to lead global technical standards across Nutrition & Health sites, ensuring robust design, validation, and scalable capability building. You will partner with cross-functional teams to balance food safety, regulatory compliance, and innovation speed in a dynamic manufacturing network.

The role requires a strong engineering/food science background, 10+ years in thermal process design and validation, and proven leadership across global teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Food Science, or related field (advanced degree preferred).
• 10+ years of experience in thermal process design and validation.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, quality systems, and regulatory expectations.
• Recognized authority in thermal processing.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through influence across global, cross-functional teams.
• Proven experience translating technical expertise into scalable systems, tools, and training.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Define and continuously improve thermal processing frameworks, including process design and validation strategies.
• Serve as the technical authority for complex topics in thermal processing.
• Translate science and regulatory expectations into practical tools and guidance.
• Collaborate with teams to ensure robust design and validation of new products and technologies.
• Provide risk-based guidance balancing food safety, compliance, and speed of innovation.
• Develop scalable tools and best practices from learnings.
• Lead audits, site reviews, and implement system-wide improvements.
• Partner to deploy standards and strengthen technical capability across the network.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory knowledge

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Food Science, or related field

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Foods you love. Brands you trust. And a career that empowers you to grow.
At Nestlé USA, we’re all working towards the same goal – to delight and deliver for our consumers. With a rich portfolio of beloved brands, including DiGiorno, Toll House, and Coffee mate, in 97% of U.S. households, we have a unique opportunity – and responsibility – to be there for every moment in our consumers’ lives.

Joining Nestlé means becoming part of an inclusive workplace that inspires innovation, encourages strategic thinking and creativity, and celebrates your achievements. No matter where you work within the organization, you are empowered to challenge the status quo, embrace risk-taking, and pioneer new ideas. Our supportive and collaborative environment encourages bold ambitions and continuous learning so that everyone can grow and thrive.
It is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Principal – Thermal Processing provides global technical leadership for thermal processing across the NPTC Nutrition & Health sites and upon request to Markets, and Manufacturing Sites. This role defines and drives best-in-class thermal processing frameworks, ensuring robust, consistent, and fit-for-purpose approaches for both innovation and operations. The role partners across NPTC Nutrition and Health, Quality by Design, and Nestlé Operations to enable sound technical decision-making, effective validation strategies, and scalable capability building.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Technical Leadership & Standards

• Define and continuously improve thermal processing frameworks, including process design, validation strategies (aseptic, retort, hot-fill), and decision logic
• Serve as the technical authority for complex, non-standard, or precedent-setting topics
• Translate emerging science and regulatory expectations into practical tools, templates, and guidance

Innovation & Process Development

• Partner with NPTC Nutrition and Health teams to ensure new products, packaging, and technologies are supported by robust thermal process design and validation
• Provide risk-based guidance that balances food safety, compliance, and innovation speed
• Convert learnings into scalable tools and best practices
• Act as Process Authority for research trials and manage site FDA filings to support innovation

Technical Assessment & Review

• Provide expert technical support during audits, food safety assessments, and site reviews across internal manufacturing sites, external manufacturers, and co-manufacturers
• Assess the robustness of process design, validation approaches, and supporting technical evidence
• Translate audit and assessment outcomes into system-level improvements, preventive actions, and strengthened thermal processing practices

Capability Building

• Partner with the Thermal Processing Community Manager and Zone/Market experts to deploy standards consistently and strengthen technical capability across the network
• Define competency expectations and contribute to structured technical training, knowledge sharing, and capability development
• Develop advanced training content and support hands-on learning experiences that build practical expertise and ensure consistent application of thermal processing principles
• Identify systemic gaps through audits, deviations, and escalations
• Propose improvements to tools, standards, and training architecture
• Support the overall health and consistency of the thermal processing system

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Food Science, or related field (advanced degree preferred)
• 10+ years of experience in thermal process design and validation
• Strong knowledge of food safety, quality systems, and regulatory expectations
• Recognized authority in thermal processing
• Demonstrated ability to lead through influence across global, cross-functional teams
• Proven experience translating technical expertise into scalable systems, tools, and training
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills

It is our business imperative to remain a very inclusive workplace.
To our veterans and separated service members, you\'re at the forefront of our minds as we recruit top talent to join Nestlé. The skills you\'ve gained while serving our country, such as flexibility, agility, and leadership, are much like the skills that will make you successful in this role. In addition, with our commitment to an inclusive work environment, we recognize the exceptional engagement and innovation displayed by individuals with disabilities. Nestlé seeks such skilled and qualified individuals to share our mission where you’ll join a cohort of others who have chosen to call Nestlé home.

The Nestlé Companies are equal employment opportunity employers. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you may require any special accommodations in order to participate fully in our recruitment experience. Contact us at [e-mail] or please dial 711 and provide this number to the operator: 1-800-321-6467.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.

Foods you love. Brands you trust. And a career that empowers you to grow.
At Nestlé USA, we’re all working towards the same goal – to delight and deliver for our consumers. With a rich portfolio of beloved brands, including DiGiorno, Toll House, and Coffee mate, in 97% of U.S. households, we have a unique opportunity – and responsibility – to be there for every moment in our consumers’ lives.

Joining Nestlé means becoming part of an inclusive workplace that inspires innovation, encourages strategic thinking and creativity, and celebrates your achievements. No matter where you work within the organization, you are empowered to challenge the status quo, embrace risk-taking, and pioneer new ideas. Our supportive and collaborative environment encourages bold ambitions and continuous learning so that everyone can grow and thrive.
It is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Principal – Thermal Processing provides global technical leadership for thermal processing across the NPTC Nutrition & Health sites and upon request to Markets, and Manufacturing Sites. This role defines and drives best-in-class thermal processing frameworks, ensuring robust, consistent, and fit-for-purpose approaches for both innovation and operations. The role partners across NPTC Nutrition and Health, Quality by Design, and Nestlé Operations to enable sound technical decision-making, effective validation strategies, and scalable capability building.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Technical Leadership & Standards

• Define and continuously improve thermal processing frameworks, including process design, validation strategies (aseptic, retort, hot-fill), and decision logic
• Serve as the technical authority for complex, non-standard, or precedent-setting topics
• Translate emerging science and regulatory expectations into practical tools, templates, and guidance

Innovation & Process Development

• Partner with NPTC Nutrition and Health teams to ensure new products, packaging, and technologies are supported by robust thermal process design and validation
• Provide risk-based guidance that balances food safety, compliance, and innovation speed
• Convert learnings into scalable tools and best practices
• Act as Process Authority for research trials and manage site FDA filings to support innovation

Technical Assessment & Review

• Provide expert technical support during audits, food safety assessments, and site reviews across internal manufacturing sites, external manufacturers, and co-manufacturers
• Assess the robustness of process design, validation approaches, and supporting technical evidence
• Translate audit and assessment outcomes into system-level improvements, preventive actions, and strengthened thermal processing practices

Capability Building

• Partner with the Thermal Processing Community Manager and Zone/Market experts to deploy standards consistently and strengthen technical capability across the network
• Define competency expectations and contribute to structured technical training, knowledge sharing, and capability development
• Develop advanced training content and support hands-on learning experiences that build practical expertise and ensure consistent application of thermal processing principles
• Identify systemic gaps through audits, deviations, and escalations
• Propose improvements to tools, standards, and training architecture
• Support the overall health and consistency of the thermal processing system

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Food Science, or related field (advanced degree preferred)
• 10+ years of experience in thermal process design and validation
• Strong knowledge of food safety, quality systems, and regulatory expectations
• Recognized authority in thermal processing
• Demonstrated ability to lead through influence across global, cross-functional teams
• Proven experience translating technical expertise into scalable systems, tools, and training
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills

It is our business imperative to remain a very inclusive workplace.
To our veterans and separated service members, you\'re at the forefront of our minds as we recruit top talent to join Nestlé. The skills you\'ve gained while serving our country, such as flexibility, agility, and leadership, are much like the skills that will make you successful in this role. In addition, with our commitment to an inclusive work environment, we recognize the exceptional engagement and innovation displayed by individuals with disabilities. Nestlé seeks such skilled and qualified individuals to share our mission where you’ll join a cohort of others who have chosen to call Nestlé home.

The Nestlé Companies are equal employment opportunity employers. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you may require any special accommodations in order to participate fully in our recruitment experience. Contact us at [e-mail] or please dial 711 and provide this number to the operator: 1-800-321-6467.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.