Process Engineering Manager

Kerry; Rochester (MN); On-site; USD 102,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Kerry is seeking a Process Engineering Manager -- Biofermentation to lead the Rochester process engineering team in achieving safety, quality, cost and maintenance goals. You will partner with process technology, R&D and corporate engineering on new product introductions and optimization from design through installation.

The role requires deep expertise in fermentation, evaporation and spray drying, with a strong focus on technical leadership, project management and data-based decision making.

Qualifications

• BS in Engineering with at least 10 years of engineering experience in food, chemical, or pharmaceutical industries.
• Expert knowledge of manufacturing systems including fermentation, sterilization, evaporation, spray drying and related subsystems.
• Lean and Six Sigma certification strongly preferred.
• Strong problem solving, interpersonal and communication skills; ability to manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Rochester process engineering team to improve OEE, reduce downtime, and optimize fermentation kinetics.
• Apply aseptic processing knowledge to reduce contamination and improve processing reliability.
• Develop capital plans to deliver growth in line with the capital strategy.
• Conduct techno-economic analyses and support R&D and pilot trials.
• Manage capital projects typically under $500k from scope to installation with subcontractors.
• Develop SOPs for new equipment and revise SOPs as operations change.
• Drive continuous improvement using lean six sigma tools and root cause analysis.
• Lead Kaizen events and promote sustainability in water, energy, and waste reduction.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Problem solving

Multitasking

Communication

Independent work

Process development

Education

BS in Engineering

Tools

PLCs

SCADA

PFD/PID

Job description

About Kerry

Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.

About the role

Process Engineering Manager -- Biofermentation. Our process engineering manager is responsible for leading the process engineering team in support of Kerry Rochester’s safety, quality, production, cost, and maintenance goals. The process engineering manager also works closely with process technology and research and development on new product introductions and process optimization and with corporate engineering on capital projects exceeding $500k. This role provides leadership and direction to the Rochester Process Engineering team, with responsibility for process optimization and supporting new product and process introductions from design through project installation and commissioning. The Process Engineering Manager will establish a strong, visible, and team-oriented technical focus. It is expected that the process engineering manager is the technical authority of fermentation, evaporation, and spray drying processes. A deep command of the engineering and scientific principles underpinning fermentation, evaporation, and spray drying is a core requirement of the role.

Key responsibilities

• Leads the Rochester process engineering team to identify opportunities to improve equipment overall equipment effectiveness (availability – unplanned downtime, performance – fermentation kinetics, quality – solids target). The leader will create a continuous improvement focus through use of the scientific method to reduce process variability and lean manufacturing principles to eliminate the 8 forms of waste.
• Apply deep knowledge in aseptic processing to identify and reduce sources of contamination and improve the reliability of processing steps. Partner with Engineering to design and implement improved process equipment as needed for new processes.
• Development of appropriate capital plans to deliver business growth and cost efficiency ensuring alignment with the overall capital strategy for the business.
• Conducts techno-economic analysis with technical feasibility studies including heat and energy balances and recommends the most cost-effective approach for development projects. Provides engineering support to R&D/process science activities during pilot and production trials.
• Lead capital projects typically under $500k using traditional project management from project initiation/scope, requirements capture, design, cost estimation, equipment procurement, and installation with subcontractor management to meet scope, schedule, and cost. Responsible in assuring compliance with safety, environment, quality, and food safety. Assures that projects have detailed project specifications, process flow diagrams (PFD’s), piping and instrumentation drawings (P&ID’s), site and floor plans, elevation drawings, utilities matrices, and other project documentation, as applicable. Process engineering team typically supports corporate engineering who leads projects greater than $500k.
• Process engineering team will lead the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) that detail operations of new equipment and revises SOP’s to reflect changes to operations.
• Leads elimination of systemic unplanned downtime events using continuous improvement tools and the 1 Kerry Plant System 8 step problem solving process to drive to root cause and eliminate future occurrences through corrective actions. Maintains the plant’s process failure mode and effects analysis that manages the plants highest risks in terms of severity, detection, and probability calculating a risk priority number to prioritize risk reduction actions.
• Lead Kaizen events as needed to gather team of experts including the operators and production supervisors to solve large scale problems and also for conceptual design projects.
• Promotes projects to reduce water, electricity, carbon burning fuels, and waste to meet Kerry’s sustainability targets.
• Regularly explores new technology and equipment and subsequently develops projects to drive process improvement. Fosters a culture of process innovation with key partners in R&D, Quality, Operations and Finance. Key technologies include fermentation, sterilization, centrifugation, evaporation, spray drying, and packaging.
• Leads team in accordance with the Kerry values and with a growth mindset to direct energy into identifying new solutions instead of wasting energy justifying why process improvements are not possible. Holds the team accountable to using the scientific method and making data-based decisions using statistics and lean six sigma tools such as gage R&Rs, hypothesis testing, capability analysis, design of experiments, etc.
• Builds a high performing team through talent management that includes employee development, succession, and retention planning. May include 10-15% travel for benchmarking, development, and other Kerry plant support.

Qualifications and skills

EDUCATION

Minimum BS in Engineering with at least 10 years of engineering experience preferably in the food, chemical, or pharmaceutical industry.

Experience

Must have expert knowledge of manufacturing systems including fermentation, sterilization, spray drying, evaporation and associated sub systems such as refrigeration, wet scrubbers, high voltage power, electric motors/drives, standby power, fluid dynamics with pump/piping/filtration, programmable logic controller (PLCs), supervisory control and data acquisition systems (SCADA) and demonstrated aptitude to quickly learn new processes.

Skills

• Continuous improvement/change agent experience (lean and six sigma certification strongly preferred).
• Strong problem solving and interpersonal skills.
• Able to manage multiple priorities.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to work and achieve results under pressure.
• Must be able to work independently, without direct supervision.
• Able to translate a concept into a workable manufacturing process.

Compensation Data

The pay range for this position is $102,400 - $190,200 in Annual Salary. Kerry typically does not hire an individual at the top or near the top of the range, as we are a pay-for-performance company, and this range is set to continue to reward performance annually while in role. Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. The specific compensation offered to a candidate within the above range may be influenced by a variety of factors including skills, qualifications, experience, and internal equity. In addition, this position is also eligible to earn a performance-based incentive compensation. Kerry offers a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, a 401(k) plan with employee and company contribution opportunities, Employee Share Plan, Life, disability, and accident insurance, and tuition reimbursement. This job posting is anticipated to expire on August 31,2026.

We may use artificial intelligence tools to support the review and assessment of applications and assist with scheduling interviews. We do not use AI to make decisions during the interview process. All candidate assessments and hiring decisions are made by our recruitment and leadership teams.

Kerry is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. Kerry will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditional upon the successful completion of a background investigation and drug screen. Additional information can be found at Know Your Rights Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (dol.gov).

Recruiter Posting Type DNI