Process Engineer - UHT Operations

Process Engineer - UHT Operations

The Process Engineer is a key technical resource for Darigold's retail facing operations - UHT, Aseptic, ESL, Culture and Fresh milk, responsible for improving process performance, reliability, efficiency and innovation in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This role operates as a shared site resource, partnering with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, and R&D to stabilize processes, lead trials and change, and convert data into sustainable improvements that protect food safety, quality, and cost.

The ideal candidate brings strong floor presence, analytical rigor, and a continuous improvement mindset, with the ability to translate complex process behavior into practical solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Subject matter expert on UHT, Aseptic, ESL, Culture and HTST processing functions across product portfolios and cleaning matrices.
• Innovation Trials, Validation & Change Execution
• Provide support to Product Development on processing functions in conjunction with formulation to achieve intended finished product characteristics.
• Plan and execute process trials, line trials, and validations in partnership with PD, QA, OT and Operations.
• Provide technical leadership for process changes, ensuring risks are assessed, mitigated, and embedded.
• Support startup, scale-up, and post-trial stabilization to sustain improvements.
• Process Performance & Optimization
• Drive improvements in yield, throughput, loss reduction, and process stability across B2C operations.
• Analyze process data, trends, and KPIs to identify constraints and prioritize improvement opportunities.
• Lead structured problem solving for chronic and complex process issues impacting safety, quality, or performance.
• Establish, monitor, and improve critical operating parameters and control strategies.
• Quality, Food Safety & Compliance
• Ensure compliance with GMP, SQF, HACCP, and aseptic requirements.
• Partner with Quality on investigations, product holds, and corrective actions.
• Support audits through strong technical process knowledge and documentation.
• Continuous Improvement & Capability Building
• Provide technical support to Processing operators to troubleshoot and resolve issues.
• Translate operational challenges into measurable continuous-improvement initiatives.
• Apply SPC, trend analysis, Pareto, and RCA tools to eliminate variation.
• Provide training to operators on process control and process function.
• Shared-Resource & Cross-Functional Support
• Serve as a flexible technical resource across the Darigold B2C network.
• Capital & Project Support
• Support capital projects, equipment modifications, commissioning, and operational acceptance.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering required, Mechanical, Industrial, or related disciplines considered.
• 5-7 years of experience in a manufacturing or process-driven environment.
• Proven experience improving process performance using data-driven methods.
• Experience supporting or leading process trials and technical change.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in UHT, Aseptic, Culture, ESL, dairy, beverage, or regulated food manufacturing.
• Knowledge of CIP systems, thermal processing, and hygienic design.
• Lean / Six Sigma or demonstrated CI leadership experience.

Key Competencies

• Hands-on, floor-focused problem solving
• Data-driven decision making
• Strong cross-functional collaboration
• Strong technical capability in process control systems
• Ownership mindset for safety, quality, and results

Working Environment

• Manufacturing plant environment with frequent floor presence.
• Off-shift or weekend support may be required during trials, startups, or critical issues.
• Up to 20% travel to support Darigold production network.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities