Purpose Statement

The Process Development Engineer I will operate within the Science and Technology Center of Excellence (S&T CoE), as part of the Research, Innovation, and Compliance (RIC) team. This role focuses on short- to mid-term projects and serves as the engineering technical lead on low to medium complexity initiatives involving process and product innovation, renovation, optimization, and cost savings across assigned product categories, such as Pizza, Bakery, Protein, Desserts and others.

The Process Development Engineer I will support new or existing product and process development, network standardization, and plant engineering optimization by researching, designing, developing, managing, and executing innovations in both individual equipment and complete process systems.

This role is based in Buffalo, NY with expected travel of up to 30% annually, dependent on project needs.

Key Accountabilities and Outcomes

• Execute low to medium complexity process development activities from concept to commercialization. Accurately identifies project requirements applying the right production capability, ingredients, formulations to match customer/consumers needs, product specifications, and financial targets.
• Follow established guidelines and protocol, scientific approach and statistical analysis, conduct process or product development research, plant trials, plant start-ups, sensory, shelf-life stability studies, capability studies, and specifications development.
• Support the study of process and equipment alternatives and Pilot Equipment Validation through Design of Experiments (DOE) to determine the effect of process parameters on product quality, throughput, and cost. Develop SOPs for laboratory and pilot Equipment.
• Applies existing and emerging engineering/scientific knowledge to solve complex problems.
• Consult with broader team to provide technical support to resolve low to medium complexity production and quality issues: identifying root cause, develop & implement technical solutions, including training QA/Operations personnel on findings within assigned product category areas.
• Engages with internal and external centers of expertise, including industry tradeshows, equipment vendors, patent/literature searches, and open innovation platforms.
• Evaluates and integrates input from vendors, consultants, design groups, engineering teams, and packaging suppliers to identify potential solutions.
• Support an environment that fosters innovation by continually introducing ideas and product concepts for new products, quality improvements, and productivity and facilitate calculated risk taking.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical/food/mechanical Engineer or related engineering field.
• Some experience (e.g., co-op, internship, or lab work) in food processing or product development.
• Strong research and analytical skills, including setting up design of experiments utilizing bench or pilot equipment and performing research individually or as part of a broader team.
• Basic understanding of food systems, ingredients, packaging, and processing interactions, experimental design and statistical analysis.
• Manual ability to operate various equipment such as lab and pilot plant equipment, etc., stand for 6 or more hours during the day, and able to lift up to 25 lbs.

Skills & Competencies

• Solid interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven ability to work independently in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment.
• Ability to work in cross-functional teams.
• Ability to deal with ambiguity and can comfortably manage risks, changing priorities, and uncertainty with guidance.
• Solid PC proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word), databases, statistical software, and ability to learn relevant tools (e.g., PLM).

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