Senior Thermal Processing Manager

Seneca Fruit; Janesville (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

401K

Short-Term Disability

Long-Term Disability

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Seneca Foods seeks a Senior Thermal Processing Manager to lead the development and validation of thermal processes for canned foods. The role includes guiding research, defining processing parameters, and ensuring compliance with FDA regulations.

You will partner with multiple facilities to improve process reliability, product safety, and quality while mentoring technical staff. This position is based in Janesville, WI with travel up to ~20% and no remote work.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Food Engineering, Food Science, or related field.
• 5+ years of hands-on thermal processing experience or 10+ years across multiple processing technologies (In-Container Sterilization, Aseptic).
• Experience with regulatory compliance and ability to file scheduled processes with FDA.

Responsibilities

• Design, conduct heat penetration and temperature distribution studies to support thermal processes.
• Establish and validate thermal processes using CALSoft and NumeriCAL.
• Lead lab-based thermal processing research and mentor personnel.

Skills

Thermal processing

Process development

Technical leadership

Training & mentoring

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor’s in Food Engineering/Food Science or related

Master’s in Food Engineering or related

PhD in relevant field

Tools

CALSoft

NumeriCAL

Job description

Senior Thermal Processing Manager

Seneca Foods is one of North America's leading providers of packaged fruits and vegetables with facilities located throughout the United States. Our high quality products are primarily sourced from over 1,400 American farms. Seneca holds the largest share of the retail private label, food service, and export canned vegetable markets, distributing to over 90 countries. Products are also sold under the brands of Libby’s®, Aunt Nellie’s®, READ®, Seneca Farms®, Green Valley®, Green Giant (Shelf‑Stable)®, CherryMan®, Paradise®, Pennant®, and Seneca labels, including Seneca snack chips. Seneca also provides vegetable products to other companies under various co‑pack arrangements.

Location: Janesville, Wisconsin

Seneca Foods is seeking a Senior Thermal Processing Manager to lead thermal process development and technical support for our manufacturing plants.

Position Summary

The successful candidate will be responsible for assisting in development, validating, documenting, and filing thermal processes for canned food products in compliance with applicable regulations and industry standards.

Key Responsibilities

Thermal Process Development & Validation

• Design, and conduct heat penetration and temperature distribution studies required to support thermal processes.
• Establish thermal processes using calculation software such as CALSoft and NumeriCAL.
• Evaluate process deviations and recommend appropriate product disposition.

Research & Technical Leadership

• Lead laboratory‑based thermal processing research and product/process development initiatives.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for thermal processing and commercial sterilization.
• Train and mentor technical and operations personnel on thermal processing principles.

Canning Regulations

• Working knowledge of FDA Regulations governing low‑acid and acidified canned foods including 21 CFR 11, 108, 113, 114, 117.
• File scheduled process with FDA and maintain required support documentation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree, or PhD in Food Engineering, Food Science, Food Microbiology, Biosystems Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of hands‑on experience in thermal processing or 10+ years of experience working with multiple processing technologies related to In‑Container Sterilization and Aseptic Processing and Packaging System.

Work Environment & Travel

• The job combines laboratory research, process development, and manufacturing plant support activities.
• Partner with Seneca manufacturing facilities to improve process reliability, efficiency, and product safety and quality.
• This role is based in our Janesville, WI location and is not eligible for remote work.
• Approximately 20% travel to Company facilities is required.

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to work with a leading company in the food industry.
• Commitment to innovation and professional development.
• Dynamic and collaborative work environment.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.

Seneca Foods offers an excellent benefit package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life insurance, 401K, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Paid Time Off and more!

Seneca Foods Corporation is committed to providing equal opportunity for all, through a positive and continuing affirmative action program. No employee or applicant will be discriminated against because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, military and/or veteran status or any other Federal or State legally protected classes. Seneca Foods Corporation will make reasonable accommodations for known physical or mental limitations of otherwise qualified employees and applicants with disabilities unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. If you are interested in applying for an employment opportunity and feel you need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact us at [e-mail] or call 585-495-4100.