Sr Process Engineer

Ferrara; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 112,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Paid time off

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Ferrara seeks an R&D Process Engineer to organize, execute, and lead process development for the sugar confections portfolio. You will drive renovation, innovation, quality improvements, and new technologies from bench to production with cross-functional collaboration.

You will coordinate trials, design experiments, and provide technical recommendations to enable international product expansion and scalable manufacturing. Strong communication and project leadership are essential.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Food Process Engineering or related field required.
• M.S., P.E. or PhD preferred for advanced roles.
• Minimum 5 years in a CPG R&D or manufacturing role, confectionery experience a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead process development and implementation for sugar confections portfolio.
• Organize trials, design experiments, and interpret results to progress projects.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, and Packaging teams.

Skills

Project coordination

Data interpretation

Pilot plant trials

Cross-functional collaboration

Documentation

Communication

Vendor management

Education

B.S. in Food Process Engineering

M.S. or Professional Engineer (P.E.) or PhD preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Statistical software

Job description

Work Location: Chicago

Due to the highly interactive and team-based nature of this role, in-person attendance for most of the workweek (i.e., 3 days or more) is essential for: effective communication including during in-person meetings, strong supervision, real-time problem-solving, and participation in cross-functional initiatives.

Want to make an impact?

Reporting to the Sr. Manager R&D Process Engineering, this individual will organize, execute, and lead key process development and implementation activities for the sugar confections portfolio. Projects will be related to renovation, innovation, quality improvement, new technologies, margin enhancement, with an emphasis on international network moves

Ways you will make a difference

• Lead process support for R&D initiatives: generating process/product specifications, product & process manuals, and troubleshooting guidance.
• Enable manufacturing capabilities through documentation review, trial design/execution, and process equipment recommendations to unlock continued international product expansion
• Scope and execute work streams & trials and use results to progress projects.
• Provide robust technical recommendations on technology and process conditions.
• Partner and work closely with Marketing, Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, Packaging functions, etc. toward successful planning, scale up, and execution of new product innovation and network moves
• Collaborate with R&D Product Development Scientists towards the development of new product initiatives from bench to pilot scale, and into full-scale execution. Providing technological expertise, ideal process recommendations, and smooth handover to Operations.
• Lead product and process risk analysis, communicate to broader organization, and drive mitigation plans with cross-functional team.
• Install equipment in pilot plant and participate in production scale equipment FATs.
• Compile plans related to and lead qualification of equipment installs in production environments.
• Build technical expertise in the sugar category by networking with subject matter experts within the company and externally.
• Seek out and evaluate processing technologies in support of the creation of a long term technology strategy.
• Lead and implement new programs and protocols related to process engineering.
• Understands and demonstrates the Company’s core values.
• Conducts assigned work in a safe manner and adheres to Ferrara safety methods.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills that will make you successful

• Ability to translate multifaceted concepts from the Marketing team into actionable engineering/commissioning plans that can be worked through with the Operations and Engineering teams
• Good understanding/appreciation of the broader business environment and application of technical and commercial knowledge during project execution.
• Very strong interpersonal skills with ability to influence with integrity through persuasive communication to win support at more senior levels within R&D, Operations and Supply Chain, and to build effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated capacity to coordinate plant trials independently, leading pre-trial and post-trial meetings and summarizing results to progress projects.
• Good technical, analytical, and communication skills; ability to interpret data and distill into useful and actionable information.
• Experience in pilot prototype production, including expanding into novel product exploration, to bring ideas to life within the bounds of product brief.
• Compiles plans and leads qualification of standard equipment installs in production environments, without requiring oversight.
• Expertise in creating quality documentation (Product Quality Standards, Specification Targets and Ranges, Process Flow Diagrams) to support product developers across a range of projects, without requiring oversight.
• Self-starter, self-motivating: able to balance competing priorities without losing momentum and manage uncertainty and complexity in fast evolving CPG environments.
• Adopt a positive, inclusive work environment where colleagues feel respected and valued for their contributions.
• Strive for high standards, seeks innovative solutions, drives continuous improvement of products and processes, and demonstrates a high degree of attention to detail.
• Highly numerate and computer literate (Microsoft Office), statistical software experience a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to meet critical deadlines.
• Previous experience dealing with multiple equipment vendors and managing multiple projects simultaneously.

Experiences that will support your success

• B.S. in Food Process Engineering, Agricultural & Biological Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Food Science, or related field. M.S., P.E. or PhD preferred
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a CPG R&D or Manufacturing Role, confectionary experience a plus.
• This role is based in the Chicagoland area, but the candidate must be willing to work flexible hours on occasion and travel as necessary to internal and external facilities to support manufacturing line trials.
• Valid driving license is required.
• Availability to travel 5-40% of time and higher when required.

What We Offer

At Ferrara, we're proud to support our employees with comprehensive benefits that enhance health, financial wellness, and include paid time off (PTO). Eligible employees may also receive an annual bonus based on company performance. Learn more about our benefits at https://flimp.live/Ferrara-Benefits-Resource-Center

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $80,325 to $112,455 annually.