Process Engineer

Empirical Foods; Garden City (KS); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Empirical Foods is seeking a Process Engineer to lead the development, optimization, and continuous improvement of manufacturing processes for safe, efficient, and cost-effective food production. You will partner with Operations and cross-functional teams to drive waste reduction, productivity, and compliance with food safety standards.

The role involves monitoring metrics, implementing corrective actions, supporting new product launches, and maintaining robust process documentation and control

Qualifications

• 3-7 years of process engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in food/beverage manufacturing is highly desirable.
• Experience with food processing operations such as mixing, cooking, baking, packaging, pasteurization, filling, or thermal processing is highly desirable.
• Proven success leading continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Analyze manufacturing processes to identify opportunities for increased efficiency, yield, throughput, and cost savings.
• Monitor and evaluate production metrics including OEE, downtime, waste, yield, and labor efficiency.
• Develop and implement corrective actions to address process inefficiencies and production issues.
• Support new product launches by evaluating process capabilities and required equipment modifications.
• Collaborate with production teams to identify and troubleshoot process deviations, quality concerns, and operational challenges.
• Conduct root cause analysis and implement sustainable solutions for recurring manufacturing issues.
• Develop, update, and maintain process documentation, SOPs, work instructions, and process flow diagrams.
• Establish and monitor process control parameters to ensure product consistency and quality.
• May assist in design, selection, installation, and commissioning of manufacturing equipment and systems.
• Manage engineering projects related to process improvements, capacity expansion, automation, and facility upgrades.
• Work with equipment vendors and contractors to ensure successful project execution timeline expectations.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret process performance data.
• Present findings and recommendations to leadership teams.
• Utilize statistical tools to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.

Skills

Manufacturing processes

Food safety regs

Process mapping

Capacity analysis

Equipment validation

Excel

Project management

Communication

Cross-functional work

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related engineering field

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

The Process Engineer is a technical leader capable of developing, optimizing, and improving manufacturing processes to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective production of high-quality food products. This role partners closely with Operations, internal and external teams to drive continuous improvement initiatives, reduce waste, increase productivity, and ensure compliance with all food safety and regulatory requirements.

Process Optimization & Improvement

• Analyze manufacturing processes to identify opportunities for increased efficiency, yield, throughput, and cost savings.
• Monitor and evaluate production metrics, including but not limited to overall equipment effectiveness, downtime, waste, yield, and labor efficiency.
• Develop and implement corrective actions to address process inefficiencies and production issues.
• Support new product launches by evaluating process capabilities and required equipment modifications.

Operations Support

• Collaborate with production teams to identify and troubleshoot process deviations, quality concerns, and operational challenges.
• Conduct root cause analysis and implement sustainable solutions for recurring manufacturing issues.
• Develop, update, and maintain process documentation, SOPs, work instructions, and process flow diagrams.
• Establish and monitor process control parameters to ensure product consistency and quality.

Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure manufacturing processes comply with FDA, USDA, GMP, HACCP, SQF, BRC, and other applicable food safety standards.
• Support food safety and quality audits by providing process documentation and technical expertise.
• Participate in risk assessments and validation activities for process changes and new equipment installations.

Capital Projects & Equipment Implementation

• May assist in the design, selection, installation, and commissioning of manufacturing equipment and systems.
• Manage engineering projects related to process improvements, capacity expansion, automation, and facility upgrades.
• Work with equipment vendors and contractors to ensure successful project execution timeline expectations.

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Collect, analyze, and interpret process performance data.
• Present findings and recommendations to leadership teams.
• Utilize statistical tools to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.

Additional

• Ability to perform all essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.
• Must have regular and punctual attendance.

Skills And Abilities

• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and food safety regulations.
• Experience with process mapping, capacity analysis, and equipment validation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and data analysis tools.
• Experience with ERP, or similar manufacturing systems preferred.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Excellent trouble shooting, problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Demonstrated Competencies

• Analytical problem solving
• Strategic thinking
• Process Optimization
• Results oriented

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment, including exposure to noise, temperature variations, and food production areas.
• Ability to stand, walk, and climb stairs for extended periods.
• Ability to lift up to 60 pounds occasionally.
• Occasional travel required

Experience

3-7 years of process engineering experience in a manufacturing environment. Food or beverage manufacturing, is highly desirable. Experience with food processing operations such as mixing, cooking, baking, packaging, pasteurization, filling, or thermal processing is highly desirable. Proven success leading continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related engineering field required.

Department

Engineering