Food Processing Engineer

At WK Kellogg Co, we exist to create joy and connection to inspire Gr-r-reat days. We believe that doing good is always good for business and we have stood for this since Kellogg Company was founded more than 120 years ago. We are passionate about doing our part to make nutritious foods, create social connectivity and respect natural resources. Together, these actions create positive progress for people and the planet - today and for years to come.

We have big plans for how we are going to accomplish this, and we would love for you to join us in this effort.

JOB OVERVIEW

The Food Processing Engineer is responsible for optimizing food manufacturing processes, enhancing product quality, improving operational efficiency, and providing technical leadership across manufacturing operations. This role applies engineering and food science principles to support production, troubleshoot complex process challenges, lead technical projects, and drive continuous improvement initiatives from raw material handling through finished product packaging.

The Food Processing Engineer partners closely with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, Continuous Improvement, and Research & Development teams to ensure safe, reliable, and cost-effective manufacturing processes. The role also supports innovation, product commercialization, capital project execution, process validation, and technical capability development across the plant network.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Works closely with Plant Leadership, Operations, Quality and Food Safety, Maintenance and Reliability, Continuous Improvement, Engineering, Research & Development, Supply Chain, and external vendors and suppliers.

HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

Process Optimization and Continuous Improvement

* Analyze production data to identify process variability, capability gaps, waste reduction opportunities, and overall performance improvements.

* Apply engineering and food science expertise to optimize process conditions, product quality, material performance, and manufacturing efficiency.

* Evaluate process interactions, equipment settings, and material behaviors that influence throughput, reliability, and consistency.

* Partner with Continuous Improvement teams to identify and implement sustainable process enhancements.

* Develop and maintain process standards that support operational excellence and design-to-standard compliance.

Technical Troubleshooting and Manufacturing Support

* Provide day-to-day technical support for Operations and Quality teams to resolve complex processing and product quality issues.

* Lead root cause investigations for process deviations, equipment failures, material challenges, consumer complaints, and product defects.

* Support production startups, process transitions, and periods of operational instability.

* Develop corrective and preventive actions that improve process stability and prevent recurrence of issues.

Project Leadership and Capital Execution

* Lead or support food process engineering projects from concept development through design, validation, and implementation.

* Define process requirements, equipment specifications, and technical design criteria for capital projects.

* Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, and external vendors to deliver cost-effective and technically sound solutions.

* Conduct trials, process validations, performance assessments, and commissioning activities.

Product Innovation and Commercialization

* Collaborate with Research & Development and Engineering teams to support innovation, renovation, and line extension projects.

* Ensure successful scale-up from pilot and laboratory development to commercial manufacturing.

* Provide technical expertise during product launches and post-implementation performance reviews.

Food Safety, Quality, and Regulatory Compliance

* Ensure process designs and manufacturing practices comply with food safety, quality, and workplace safety requirements.

* Support quality improvement initiatives and process control strategies.

* Drive solutions that improve manufacturing capability while maintaining quality standards.

Technical Leadership and Capability Development

* Serve as a subject matter expert for critical process systems and manufacturing technologies.

* Mentor, coach, and develop engineers, process specialists, and operations teams.

* Create, update, and maintain SOPs, process documentation, and training materials.

* Deliver technical training and facilitate knowledge sharing across manufacturing sites and functions.

QUALIFICATIONS

* Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Process Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

* Extensive experience in food manufacturing, consumer packaged goods, or process manufacturing environments.

* Strong understanding of food processing systems, unit operations, process design, and manufacturing equipment.

* Experience leading cross-functional teams and managing technical projects from planning through execution.

* Excellent…