Process Engineer

South Sioux City Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB; South Sioux City, Northern (NE, KY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health/Dental/Vision

Disability Insurance

Life Insurance

Flexible Medical & Dependent Care

401(k) Matching

Profit Sharing

Paid Vacation and Holidays

Job summary

The Process Engineer at South Sioux City Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB leads manufacturing process improvements for a food production environment, focusing on safety, quality, and cost efficiency.

You will partner with Operations, drive continuous improvement, manage projects, and ensure compliance with FDA/USDA and GMP standards, while supporting new product launches and equipment upgrades.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical, Food, Industrial, Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Experience in process engineering in a manufacturing environment.
• Food/beverage manufacturing experience highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Analyze processes to improve efficiency, yield, throughput, and cost savings.
• Monitor production metrics like OEE, downtime, waste, and labor efficiency.
• Develop corrective actions for inefficiencies and issues.
• Support new product launches by evaluating process capabilities.
• Tackle deviations, quality concerns, and operational challenges.
• Lead risk assessments and validation for changes and new equipment.
• Develop and maintain process documentation and SOPs.
• Establish and monitor process control parameters for consistency.
• Assist in design, installation, and commissioning of equipment.
• Manage projects related to improvements and facility upgrades.
• Coordinate with vendors and contractors to meet timelines.

Skills

Process optimization

Data analysis

Excel

Regulatory compliance

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical/ Food/ Industrial/ Mechanical Engineering or related 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.

Responsibilities

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.

Qualifications

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.

Experience: Experience p rocess engineering 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

Our company is known for its competitive pay, benefits, and opportunities to advance. Depending on position benefits may include: Health/Dental/Vision, Disability, Life, Flex Medical and Dependent Care, Matching 401(k), Profit Sharing, Paid Vacation and Holidays.

Our company is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, religion, national origin or sex in violation of Title VII. The company prohibits discrimination against employees, applicants for employment and students on the basis of age, color, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran’s status.

Post offer physical and substance testing required.

Additional Postings available from Empirical Foods