Technical Production Management Director

westrockcoffeeinternaljobs; Conway (AR); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

WestRock Coffee seeks a Technical Product Management Director – Engineering to lead the development and validation of new technologies, ensuring product specs, quality, and throughput targets are met. The role interfaces with R&D, Engineering, Operations, FSQA, vendors, and co-manufacturers to align equipment design with beverage outcomes.

This role drives IQ/OQ/CQV, process optimization, and lifecycle management while exploring Co-manufacturing or M&A support.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Food Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years in technical product development, coffee processing, or engineering with leadership.
• Experience with FDA/USDA/SQF and process authorities in beverage manufacturing.
• Expertise linking equipment choices to product taste, quality, and brand promises.
• Strong cross-functional leadership and project management in fast-paced settings.

Responsibilities

• Shape technical strategy for equipment and process design with product quality and regulatory focus.
• Own specs for liquid coffee extraction, filtration, and automated recipe management.
• Lead CQV activities and initial production runs ensuring commercial readiness.
• Drive optimization of batching, blending, and line integrations for consistency.
• Collaborate on pilot plants, packaging formats, and scale-up to production.
• Provide hands-on expertise in product and sensory research and external partnerships.

Skills

Product strategy

Team leadership

Regulatory compliance

Process optimization

Equipment design

Vendor management

IQ/OQ/CQV

Quality assurance

New product development

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Food Science degree

Engineering degree

Job description

The Technical Product Management Director -- Engineering champions the development, evaluation, engineering validation, and process mapping of new technologies and current capability optimization, ensuring engineering initiatives are aligned with product specifications, commercial readiness, throughput targets, operational efficiency, and quality expectations.

The role requires close collaboration across R&D, Engineering, Operations, FSQA, vendors, co-manufacturers, and external technical partners, serving as the internal expert on the intersection of equipment design, manufacturing process, product experience, and hygienic design, with a priority focus on roasting, liquid coffee extraction, filtration, forward osmosis, batching, packaging, beverage flavor, quality, and food safety.

This Director is critical to bridging R&D product expertise into the Engineering functional team, ensuring that equipment and process design consistently delivers superior product quality and taste.

This role leads the technical integration of product and process strategy, enabling innovation and lifecycle management to support the company's growth and differentiation in the beverage sector. This can include Co-Manufacturing and/or M&A support and strategies.

Job Duties

• Shape technical strategy for equipment and process design with direct consideration for product sensory impact, quality, and regulatory compliance.
• Own engineering specifications for liquid coffee extraction, filtration, forward osmosis, extract batching, automated recipe management, and bulk-to-retail packaging systems.
• Hold equipment vendors accountable to defined quality, throughput, flavor preservation, chemistry profile, hygienic design, and operational performance requirements.
• Author and execute Installation Qualification (IQ) protocols for new hardware and lead Operational Qualification (OQ) testing using active coffee product to confirm commercial readiness.
• Advise and lead on Commissioning, Qualification, and Verification (CQV) activities and initial production runs ensuring product standards are met.
• Optimize automated batching and blending systems for recipe precision, concentration control, consistency, and repeatable product quality.
• Collaborate with cross-functional team on the design, startup, and continuous improvement of automated spent grounds processing systems, including wet and dry transport solutions.
• Support and drive the product innovation pipeline within Engineering, from ideation through commercialization and lifecycle management.
• Identify and drive opportunities for intellectual property, process improvement, and cost optimization that support business goals.
• Ensure and improve collaboration with internal sites and external partners (OEMs, consultants, universities, co-manufacturers) for technical advancements and troubleshooting.
• Provide hands‑on expert support for product and sensory research, customer‑facing innovation meetings, and new platform development.
• Support key capital project planning, installation, and commissioning, as well as operations efficiency initiatives to optimize flavor and product consistency.
• Review design footprints and physical installations for pilot plant upgrades, automated packaging line additions, retail and foodservice filling lines, and bulk/industrial packaging formats.
• Advise on regulatory and food safety considerations (FDA, USDA, SQF, process authority requirements) in all relevant project phases.
• Develop protocols, oversee pilot plant and production line trial runs, troubleshoot root causes of product and process challenges, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Serve as a Product & Engineering technical liaison for Co-manufacturing and M&A due diligence and integration as needed.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for Conway and Concord coffee roasting, liquid extraction, filtration, forward osmosis, extract batching, automated spent grounds handling, and filled beverage line upgrades and expansions, including bulk and MSB bottle formats.
• Expand technical influence toward additional product lines and packaging formats, including high-speed aluminum can, glass bottle, PET bottle, drum, tote, and bag-in-box systems as business needs are identified.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Food Engineering, Engineering, or related field; qualified candidates will typically possess a four-year degree with significant relevant experience.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant technical product development, coffee processing, food/beverage manufacturing, or engineering experience, with leadership experience and direct collaboration with Engineering, Operations, Quality, and external vendors.
• Extensive experience with regulatory requirements (FDA, USDA, SQF) and Process Authorities for Low Acid Canned Food, Acidified Food, Formula Controlled, and other beverage manufacturing.
• Deep understanding of industrial coffee extraction, filtration, forward and reverse osmosis systems, automated liquid blending, filling, recipe management, and hygienic fluid‑handling infrastructure.
• Experience operating in high-volume, high-speed regional manufacturing environments and supporting commercial scale-up from pilot plant through production launch.
• Demonstrated track record of successful new product and process introductions, including troubleshooting and continuous improvement in a regulated environment.
• Expertise in linking engineering equipment/process choices directly to product taste, quality, and brand promise.
• Strong vendor management capability, including the ability to define technical requirements, evaluate proposals, challenge design assumptions, and ensure delivered systems meet operating and product requirements.
• Thorough knowledge of equipment and processing capabilities across extraction, batching, packaging, pilot plant, and commercial production environments.
• Ability to proactively identify and steward innovation opportunities, IP potential, and external partnerships.
• Strong cross‑functional leadership, communication, and influence skills.
• Experienced in guiding, mentoring, and motivating teams in a matrixed organization setting.
• Excellent project management skills and a bias for action in fast‑paced environments.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong initiative, ability to anticipate issues proactively.
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment and multi‑task.
• Thorough knowledge of equipment and processing capabilities.
• Up to 30% travel required.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Vets / Disabled