Pet New Product Process Engineer - Remote

Summary

We are recruiting for a Pet New Product Process Engineer.  This role is responsible for development of processes that lead to new food products, improved products and cost reductions. Independently plans and conducts multiple project assignments.  Helps mentor others in the process. Project scope to include: New processes, Quality improvements of existing products, Cost optimization of existing products and technical brand maintenance, i.e. USDA/government compliance. Translates technology trends and customer trends into new products.   

Principal and Essential Duties & Responsibilities

1. Develops new products and processes in support of new products, which grow top line volume against our new products as a % of revenue goals.  Conducts and leads required lab, pilot plant and plant experimentation.

2. Works with marketing to ensure that all new products and processes support customer trends, i.e., demographics, basics of product usage, psychology of why products are used, and the trends that impact product development

3. Evaluates and documents current processes to assess current yield, labor, processing costs and specification adherence.

4. Optimizes and documents current processes and works with copackers to maximize yield, process costs and quality.

5. Identifies and evaluates new process technologies and new products utiltizing those technologies, which have the opportunity to drive Company business growth.

6. Executes and documents all development work accurately.  This includes written documentation of lab work, pilot plant tests, and plant trials.

7. Develops new product and process design scopes, including: process flow diagrams, preliminary costing, ingredients and equipment specs.

8. Prepares accurate and timely specifications for all processes and products developed.

9. Primary interaction with Operations, Product Development and Plant engineering to successfully implement new processes.

10. Manages vendor and copacker relationships necessary to affect new technology development and current product improvement.

11. Serves as go-to technical expert in 1 to 2 Company relevant areas of expertise.  Communicates technology trends to the organization.

12. Manages project time to ensure effective allocation of resources.  Champions the NPD process.

Minimum Education and Experience

REQUIRED: Bachelors degree or equivalent work experience in Food/Meat Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering plus 3 - 5 years related work experience. 

• Solid knowledge of the product development process from idea generation, bench top, scale up and commercialization. 
• Strong understanding of food process equipment. 
• Outstanding cross-functional team play. 
• Requires clear written and verbal communication skills; excellent analytical knowledge and problem solving skills. 
• Solid knowledge of ingredients including functionality, allergen considerations and cost. 
• Expert understanding of food manufacturing process and the sequence of events necessary to convert raw materials to finished products. 
• Strong ability in translating consumer needs and business objectives into innovative new product design requirements. 
• Strong ability in translating consumer needs and business objectives into innovative new product design requirements. 
• Ability to manage and develop subordinates. 
• Strong knowledge in food processing technology and commercialization. 
• Must be able to travel up 75% of their time.  

PREFERRED:  MS degree preferred

Environmental Factors and Physical Requirements

1. Position is sedentary and mobile. Will require working in a plant environment and helping the production line as needed and working in the pilot plant.
2. May need to move light equipment or supplies from one place to another. Capable of lifting 50lbs.
3. May need to access files, supplies, and equipment.
4. Work activity that is in an office, open-partitioned, cubicle environment.
5. When in a plant environment:

• Exposure primarily consists of wet and moist floors which include metal and plastic grating surfaces.
• May be exposed to temperatures of 28 degrees to 100 degrees Fahrenheit with both ambient and 100% humidity.
• May handle product 25 degrees to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
• May be exposed to noise ranges of 50 db to 110 db.
• May be exposed to all chemicals used in poultry, food, processing facility.
• Will need to work with the plant to understand the plant personnel’s job activities.
• Must wear and use protective and safety equipment required for the job as directed by the Company.