Process Engineer

Medium; Affton (MO); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

IRCA Group is seeking a Process Engineer to support manufacturing operations in the United States, focusing on developing, optimizing, and standardizing production processes to improve efficiency, quality, and safety.

You will drive continuous improvement initiatives, reduce waste, and ensure adherence to food safety and regulatory standards while collaborating with Production, Maintenance, Quality, and R&D teams.

Qualifications

• Four-year degree in a relevant technical discipline.
• 2–5 years in process/manufacturing engineering in food/beverage or consumer goods preferred.
• Knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen.
• Experience with process control systems and data analysis.
• Ability to work in a plant environment and lift up to 50 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Analyze current manufacturing processes and identify opportunities for improvement in throughput, yield, safety, and cost.
• Develop and implement process improvements to enhance product quality and reduce downtime.
• Collaborate with Production, Maintenance, Quality, and R&D to troubleshoot issues.
• Lead or support capital and continuous improvement projects including scope, equipment specification, installation, and validation.
• Develop process documentation, SOPs, and control plans; monitor performance.

Skills

Lean

Six Sigma

Kaizen

Process control

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical/chemical/food processing or related

Tools

Data analysis tools

Job description

Company Overview:

Great food experiences are built in layers: inside, where quality, performance, and consistency matter most; and outside, where creativity, artistry, and visual impact bring products to life.

At IRCA Group, we bring these layers together through a broad portfolio of premium ingredients, technical expertise, and innovative solutions that help chefs, food manufacturers, chains, distributors, and in-store bakeries create without limits. From concept to execution, we make the extraordinary simple.

IRCA Group is a global leader in high-quality food ingredient solutions, specializing in chocolate, creams, fillings, fruit-based solutions, pistachio ingredients, chocolate decorations, sugar decorations, and other specialty ingredients. The Group’s portfolio includes renowned brands such as IRCA, Dobla, JoyGelato, Ravifruit, Cesarin, Domori, and Graffiti Sprinkles, each with its own heritage, expertise, and market positioning.

With more than 100 years of Italian heritage, IRCA has evolved into a global B2B ingredients platform serving customers in more than 100 countries. The company operates a global manufacturing and distribution network spanning 19 facilities and more than 7,000 products, supporting a broad customer base across artisanal, foodservice, and food manufacturing channels.

Since Advent International’s investment, IRCA has significantly accelerated its growth, increasing revenue from €370 million in 2021 to approximately €1.5 billion today. As IRCA enters its next chapter of international expansion, the Americas region represents a key growth platform, supported by expanded domestic capabilities in chocolate, fillings, and decorations.

In the United States, IRCA Group has offices and manufacturing facilities near Atlanta, Chicago, San Francisco, and St. Louis.

Job Overview:

The Process Engineer supports manufacturing operations by developing, optimizing, and standardizing production processes to improve efficiency, quality, and safety within the plant. This role plays a key part in driving continuous improvement initiatives, reducing waste, and ensuring that food safety and regulatory requirements are consistently met.

Responsibilities:

• Analyze current manufacturing processes and identify opportunities for improvement in throughput, yield, safety, and cost.
• Develop and implement process improvements to enhance product quality, reduce downtime, and optimize resource utilization.
• Partner with Production, Maintenance, Quality, and R&D to troubleshoot process issues and implement sustainable solutions.
• Lead or support capital and continuous improvement projects, including scope development, equipment specification, installation, and validation.
• Monitor process performance through data collection and analysis; develop process documentation, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and control plans.
• Support new product introductions and scaling activities to ensure smooth transitions from pilot to full-scale production.
• Ensure all processes comply with food safety, quality, and regulatory standards (e.g., FDA, USDA, SQF, GMP).
• Train operators and technicians on new or modified equipment and processes.
• Contribute to plant-wide safety initiatives by identifying risks and implementing engineering controls.

Requirements:

• A four-year college or university program degree in relevant discipline (mechanical, electrical, chemical or food processing), industrial management or other technical discipline required.
• 2-5 years of experience in a process or manufacturing engineering role within food, beverage, or consumer goods manufacturing preferred.
• Experience with continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen) strongly desired.
• Working knowledge of process control systems, automation, and data analysis tools.
• Ability to work in a plant environment (temperature variations, standing for extended periods, wearing required PPE).
• Occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.
• May require weekend or off-shift support during major projects or production trials.

We welcome applications from candidates of all genders, backgrounds, identities, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, parental responsibilities, age, religion, or belief. We believe in equal opportunities for all and ensure that our hiring process complies with the highest standards of non-discrimination and inclusivity. IRCA Group is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves, reach their full potential, and feel a true sense of belonging. Join us in creating a workplace where diversity is valued, and everyone can thrive.