PURPOSE:
At pladis, we take pride in the quality of our ingredients and the people we hire. We are looking for individuals who share our passion for bringing happiness to consumers and who embody our Winning Traits and Behaviors: purpose-led, agile, collaborative, resilient, and positive.
pladis operates in a highly competitive food and snacking market. Effective delivery of new product development, cost-base reduction, technology change, and continuous improvement is critical to growth, quality, service, and competitiveness.
The Process Engineer is a hands-on technical role responsible for developing, scaling, and improving manufacturing processes across R&D and manufacturing. The role leads technical trials, applies scientific and engineering principles to process challenges, and converts data into practical recommendations that improve process capability, product quality, efficiency, capacity, cost, waste, and consistency.
Reporting to the R&D Lead, Americas, this role partners with Product Development, Packaging, Engineering, Operations, Quality, Procurement, Supply Chain, Finance, Marketing, suppliers, co-manufacturers, and other external partners. Based on-site in Big Flats, the role introduces new products, processes, equipment, and technologies safely and effectively while strengthening process standards and technical capability.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES AND DELIVERABLES:
1. Process Development, NPD & Scale-Up
- Translate approved product concepts into robust manufacturing processes from prototype sign-off through factory scale-up and launch.
- Plan, coordinate, run, and evaluate factory trials for new products, product changes, procurement initiatives, process changes, machinery, and technology.
- Define trial objectives, methods, sampling plans, success criteria, risks, and required resources, and communicate clear conclusions and recommendations.
- Develop and maintain process specifications, operating parameters, and practical manufacturing guidance for new and changed products.
- Support product and production transfers between lines, sites, and external manufacturers.
2. Process Excellence & Continuous Improvement
- Identify and prioritize opportunities that improve quality, process consistency, efficiency, capacity, cost, and consumer satisfaction.
- Apply Lean Six Sigma, SPC, process capability analysis, and structured problem-solving tools to reduce variation and sustain improvements.
- Use root-cause tools such as 5 Whys, Fishbone analysis, and evidence-based data review to identify causes of defects, losses, and recurring process issues.
- Develop and implement optimization plans, ensuring improvements are reflected in operating procedures, standards, and controls.
- Identify and reduce waste associated with overproduction, waiting, transport, extra processing, inventory, motion, and defects.
3. Data, Measurement & Trial Design
- Use statistical and analytical techniques to assess process performance and convert trial outcomes into practical recommendations.
- Establish and maintain relevant KPIs and SPC measures to monitor capability, confirm benefits, and sustain gains.
- Design and execute appropriate DOE activity to optimize process parameters, machinery settings, and operating windows.
- Apply material and product measurement methods, including texture analysis, rheology, or other fit-for-purpose techniques.
- Prepare concise technical reports, presentations, and project updates for relevant stakeholders.
4. Asset, Technology & Capital Support
- Provide process engineering input into equipment selection, process design, purchase, installation, commissioning, and performance qualification.
- Assess manufacturing capability, process risks, operating constraints, and technology requirements before implementation.
- Support line trials and start-up activity for new equipment, ensuring solutions meet productivity, quality, safety, and operational requirements.
- Identify opportunities that may require capital investment and provide technical evidence, trial data, and recommendations to support business cases.
- Partner with equipment suppliers, ingredient suppliers, co-manufacturers, and subject-matter experts to develop practical technical solutions.
5. Manufacturing Support, Quality & Compliance
- Provide hands-on technical support for day-to-day and longer-term manufacturing challenges, balancing speed with robust problem solving.
- Support manufacturing lines to operate to defined process, quality, and product standards.
- Ensure trials and process changes comply with applicable Health and Safety, chemical-handling, HACCP, GMP, and product-specification requirements.
- Provide technical input into product disposition decisions arising from trials, based on evidence and agreed authority.
- Build process knowledge and site capability through coaching, standardization, best-practice sharing, and clear technical documentation.
6. Cross-Functional Delivery & Governance
- Build and manage integrated technical plans, dependencies, risks, trial schedules, actions, and decision points.
- Deliver assigned initiatives to agreed time, cost, and quality expectations and escalate risks or resource conflicts promptly.
- Share learning across sites and teams, helping harmonize methods, technology, and technical standards.
- Provide clear, concise progress updates and recommendations to the R&D Lead and relevant business forums.
7. Decision-Making & Influence
- Plans and manages technical trials within approved budgets, governance, and site requirements.
- Recommends trial disposition, process settings, operating windows, corrective actions, and readiness to progress based on available evidence.
- Prioritizes assigned technical activity in alignment with R&D and site leadership.
- Influences cross-functional stakeholders through clear data, technical judgment, and practical recommendations.
8. Indicative Success Measures
- NPD, process-change, and technology projects meet agreed technical, timing, cost, and quality requirements.
- Factory trials produce clear conclusions, defined actions, and robust process parameters.
- Improvements deliver measurable and sustained benefits in capability, quality, efficiency, capacity, cost, or waste.
- Recurring process losses are reduced through validated root causes and embedded controls.
- New equipment and technologies achieve agreed operational and product-performance expectations.
- Technical documentation, process specifications, and stakeholder updates are accurate, timely, and usable.
This role profile is not exhaustive and does not define every task expected of the role. The role holder may undertake additional responsibilities and development to meet evolving business needs.
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
Experience
- Relevant experience in process engineering, process development, technical trials, or process improvement within manufacturing or R&D.
- Hands-on knowledge of food or FMCG manufacturing processes and the ability to troubleshoot process, equipment, and product interactions.
- Experience planning, running, and evaluating factory trials, scale-up, or commercialization activity.
- Ability to manage multiple technical priorities and collaborate across functions and manufacturing sites.
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Food Science, Manufacturing, or a related technical discipline.
Technical & Functional Skills
- Working knowledge of Lean Six Sigma, SPC, root-cause analysis, process capability, and structured problem solving.
- Strong analytical and data-interpretation skills, with the ability to turn evidence into clear recommendations.
- Clear written and verbal communication, including technical reports and presentations.
- Knowledge of HACCP, GMP, food hygiene, and process-safety requirements.
Core Capabilities
- Technical problem solving and engineering judgment.
- Trial design, scale-up, and commercialization.
- Process optimization and statistical analysis.
- Project planning and delivery.
- Strong stakeholder management, cross-functional collaboration, and influencing skills.
- Ability to operate in a fast-paced, evolving environment with strong organization, prioritization, professionalism, and attention to detail.
Leadership & Behavioral Capabilities
- Results-oriented with a focus on delivering business impact.
- Hands-on, curious, evidence-led, resilient, adaptable, collaborative, positive, organized, and accountable.
- Comfortable challenging assumptions and making practical recommendations.
- Committed to technical excellence, safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
Desirable Qualifications & Experience
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
- Experience in bakery, biscuits, snacks, chocolate, or confectionery manufacturing.
- Experience designing and running DOE activity to optimize machinery settings or process parameters.
- Experience with texture analysis, rheology, or other material-characterization techniques.
- Experience supporting equipment selection, capital projects, commissioning, or new technology implementation.
- Track record of measurable improvements in efficiency, waste, quality, cost, capacity, or process capability.
- Experience working with suppliers, co-manufacturers, or multi-site/global technical teams.
ADDITIONAL JOB DETAILS:
Base starting salary ranges from $116,000 - $154,000 per year. The base pay offered is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and internal equity. This role is also eligible for an annual incentive opportunity, awarded based on individual and company performance.
At pladis, our people are at the heart of everything we do. That's why we offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health and well-being, including but not limited to:
- Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, and Vision Coverage
- Life and Disability Insurance
- Voluntary Supplemental Benefits, including Hospital Indemnity, Accident, and Critical Illness Coverage
- 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
- Education Assistance, including Tuition Reimbursement and Student Loan Repayment Programs
- Paid Time Off
- Generous Paid Parental Leave
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Wellness reimbursement program
- Employee Product Discounts
