Senior Process Engineer

FrieslandCampina; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

FrieslandCampina is seeking a Senior Process Engineer for our Darlington, WI facility. You will lead process optimization, work across Operations, Quality, Maintenance, and Automation, and serve as the Technology & Engineering representative on the Plant Management Team.

You will drive safety, quality, efficiency, reliability, and production performance, leveraging data and continuous improvement methodologies to deliver measurable results in a world-class dairy processing environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related technical discipline.
• 7+ years of engineering experience in dairy, food, ingredients, or similar manufacturing environments.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and process optimization.
• Experience leading process improvement initiatives and solving complex technical challenges.
• Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, RCA, OEE improvement, or similar methodologies.
• Knowledge of GMP, food safety, quality management systems, and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience with whey ingredients processing, membrane filtration, and spray drying is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead process optimization initiatives to improve yield, throughput, product quality, reliability, and cost.
• Analyze process data to identify bottlenecks, variability, and opportunities for improvement.
• Serve as senior technical resource for troubleshooting and RCA.
• Support introduction of new products, recipes, equipment, and technologies into production.
• Provide process engineering input for capital projects, equipment upgrades, commissioning, and validation.
• Develop and maintain process standards, operating parameters, and technical documentation.

Skills

Process optimization

Lean Six Sigma

Root cause analysis

OEE improvement

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Regulatory compliance

Whey processing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Food Process Engineering; Dairy Technology

Job description

Senior Process Engineer Darlington Wisconsin (US) Engineering & Technology 40+

Senior Process Engineer | Darlington, WI

Are you passionate about optimizing complex manufacturing processes and driving operational excellence? Join FrieslandCampina as a Senior Process Engineer and become a key technical leader supporting our Darlington facility. In this role, you will leverage data, engineering expertise, and continuous improvement methodologies to enhance safety, quality, efficiency, reliability, and production performance across our ingredients and cheese operations.

You will work cross-functionally with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, and Automation teams while serving as the Technology & Engineering representative on the Plant Management Team. If you thrive on solving complex technical challenges, leading process improvements, and making a measurable impact in a world-class manufacturing environment, we want to hear from you.

What You'll Do

As a Senior Process Engineer, you will act as a trusted technical expert and strategic partner to the manufacturing organization. You will be responsible for identifying opportunities to improve plant performance, leading troubleshooting efforts, supporting capital projects, and ensuring manufacturing processes operate safely, efficiently, and reliably.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead process optimization initiatives that improve yield, throughput, product quality, reliability, and cost performance.
• Analyze process data and leverage engineering principles to identify bottlenecks, reduce variability, and drive sustainable improvements.
• Serve as the senior technical resource for process-related troubleshooting and root cause analysis.
• Support the introduction of new products, recipes, equipment, and manufacturing technologies into production.
• Provide process engineering expertise for capital projects, equipment upgrades, commissioning, and validation activities.
• Develop and maintain process standards, operating parameters, technical documentation, and work instructions.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, GMP, quality, environmental, and safety requirements.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on OEE, waste reduction, energy optimization, and operational effectiveness.
• Represent the Technology & Engineering function on the Darlington Plant Management Team, helping shape plant priorities and business decisions.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Food Process Engineering, Dairy Technology, or a related technical discipline.
• 7+ years of engineering experience within dairy, food, ingredients, or other complex manufacturing environments.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, process optimization, and operational excellence.
• Proven success leading process improvement initiatives and solving complex technical challenges.
• Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, Root Cause Analysis, OEE improvement, or similar continuous improvement methodologies.
• Knowledge of GMP, food safety, quality management systems, and regulatory requirements.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence without direct authority.
• Experience with whey ingredients processing, membrane filtration, and spray drying technologies is highly desirable.

Why Join FrieslandCampina?

At FrieslandCampina, you'll have the opportunity to work on meaningful projects that improve manufacturing performance while supporting the production of high-quality dairy products enjoyed around the world. You'll be part of a collaborative culture that values innovation, continuous learning, safety, and operational excellence.

The Senior Process Engineer is part of the Technology & Engineering organization and reports directly to the Technology & Engineering Manager. You will work closely with Process Engineering, Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Operational Technology (OT), and plant leadership teams to drive technical excellence and operational performance.

This role serves as a critical bridge between engineering and plant operations, ensuring technical expertise is incorporated into strategic decision-making and day-to-day manufacturing performance. While the position has no direct reports, it plays an influential leadership role through technical coaching, stakeholder collaboration, and participation on the Darlington Plant Management Team.

At FrieslandCampina, we live our values every day:

• We Act With Respect - fostering inclusion, integrity, and collaboration.
• We Aim Higher - continuously improving ourselves and our business.
• We Succeed Together - achieving results through teamwork and shared success.

We believe our greatest accomplishments happen when we support one another and work toward a common goal.

We'll provide the opportunity to turn that into a career you'll be proud of.

For thousands of people every day, we are more than just a dairy company. To our farmers, our employees, the communities we serve, the businesses we work with, and the people we bring happiness to, FrieslandCampina means something more. For them, it's not just about what we do, but who we are.

We value talented people from any background who want to contribute to something bigger than themselves. We encourage all of our employees to make decisions that benefit our entire company. At FrieslandCampina, we own our own careers and act accordingly. We trust you to make a difference in your job and influence the bigger picture. Working at FrieslandCampina means you are contributing to a better world.

We're more than a company, we're a global cooperative, owned by over 14,000 dairy farmers who believe in sustainable, responsible nutrition. At FrieslandCampina Ingredients, we're united by a shared mission to nourish people's potential-naturally.

Here, you'll:

Join a team that values diversity, curiosity, and collaboration.
Work in a dynamic, science-driven culture with a focus on growth and innovation.
Be empowered to pursue your own growth, both personally and professionally.

We Value Every Voice

FrieslandCampina Ingredients North America, Inc. is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace for all.

Why work with us:

An inspiring purpose

Better nutrition for the world and a good living for our farmers, now and for generations to come.

A cooperative culture

Driven by global collaboration, respect, and shared success

Space to aim higher, with autonomy and a clear focus

Your growth fuels ours

We invest in your personal and professional development through training and education.

Do you have any questions?