Senior Process Chemist/Engineer

Hunter the Headhunter; Florida; On-site; USD 110,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous PTO and paid holidays

401(k) with company match

Medical, dental, and vision

Health & wellness programs

Job summary

Hunter the Headhunter is assisting a U.S. manufacturer in hiring a Senior Process Chemist/Engineer in Eustis, FL. The role focuses on optimizing production, improving efficiency, and ensuring product quality. Base salary ranges from $110,000 to $135,000 with benefits and growth opportunities.

The ideal candidate has a science degree or higher, 10+ years in the food industry, and experience with fermentation, extraction, drying, and separation. Up to 25% travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Science degree or higher required or equivalent.
• Experience in food industry improving process performance and outcomes.
• Knowledge of fermentation, extraction, drying and separation helpful.

Responsibilities

• Analyze manufacturing lines to identify inefficiencies and optimize yield and cost.
• Apply DOE and SPC to set optimal operating windows for key processes.
• Collaborate with CI teams to reduce losses and energy use; update SOPs for operators.
• Lead CAPAs and troubleshoot deviations; scale pilot formulas to commercial processes.
• Define and validate KPIs during new product introductions.

Skills

Process optimization

DOE

SPC

CAPA

Project management

MS Office

Travel up to 25%

Education

Science degree or higher

Food Science/Chemistry/Engineering preferred

Tools

MS Office

Job description

About the company: Our client is an established, independent U.S. manufacturer of natural, clean-label ingredients for the food and beverage industry. Their portfolio spans natural flavors, botanical extracts, functional nutrition, coffee and tea extracts, and food protection solutions, supported by vertically integrated manufacturing capabilities including fermentation, extraction, custom flavor development, and drying and blending technologies. They partner with leading brands, manufacturers, and foodservice operators to bring better-for-you products to market faster.

About the role: Our client is seeking a detail-oriented Senior Process Chemist/Engineer in Eustis, FL to optimize production processes, improve operational efficiency, and enhance product quality and consistency. This role reports to the VP of Science & Technology.

Compensation: $110,000 - $135,000 base salary + benefits

What you'll do:

• Analyze manufacturing lines to find inefficiencies; redefine parameters to maximize raw material utilization and yield while minimizing cost
• Use Design of Experiments and Statistical Process Control to establish optimal operating windows for critical processes
• Partner with continuous improvement teams to reduce product loss, improve consistency, optimize sanitation cycles, and cut energy use
• Lead troubleshooting of recurring deviations, batch failures, and out-of-spec product; implement robust CAPAs
• Own the optimization phase of new product introductions, scaling pilot formulas into efficient, repeatable commercial processes; define and validate KPIs
• Work with operations to update SOPs for smooth adoption by plant operators
• Drive projects to successful outcomes

What you bring:

• Science degree or higher (Food Science, Chemistry, or Engineering preferred)
• 10+ years in the food industry with a proven record of improving process performance, quality, and operational outcomes
• Experience with biological/fermentation technologies, natural extraction (including spinning cone), drying (including vacuum drying), and separation/fractionation
• Strong understanding of how process changes affect food ingredients
• Excellent technical execution, project management, organization, and communication at all levels
• Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
• Ability to travel up to 25%

What our client offers:

• Generous PTO and paid holidays
• 401(k) with company match
• Medical, dental, and vision
• Health & wellness programs

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship now or in the future. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.