Senior Pilot Plant Technician

This position is responsible for assisting with, organizing and performing pilot plant trials and associated support work under general supervision. Specifically, individual will work as part of a team developing, planning and executing day to day pilot operations. The mission of this role is to support the ongoing development and improvement of products, packaging and processes for Danone by applying technical knowledge and logic running small scale experimentation in the pilot plant setting.

This role will work closely with R&I scientists and technicians to ensure the accuracy of all trial products.

• Responsible for knowing how to operate and maintain all equipment in the pilot plant
• Maintains a safe and clean working environment for all employees and visitors
• Ensures all safety rules, pilot plant rules, GMP’s and code of ethics are followed at all times
• Leads cross training activities for pilot plant technicians
• Works closely with pilot plant management and technical teams to provide robust technical rigor and data collection when executing pilot trials to identify risks and opportunities for industrialization and scale-up.
• Prioritizes and balances a dynamic production schedule
• Provides supervisory support when called upon in the areas of scheduling, planning and equipment operations.

• Learns and demonstrates proficiencies on all pilot plant equipment and processes thereby demonstrating technical knowledge and aptitudes across the range of existing and future product types
• Creates, communicates and regularly updates standard operating procedures for machine operation and maintenance, safety practices and food handling practices
• Learns and demonstrates proficiencies on all analytical equipment and tests thereby demonstrating technical knowledge and aptitudes for essential laboratory skills

• Assist R&I developers in the preparation, execution and review of experiments, including the staging of raw materials in accordance with R&I submitted formulations.
• Keep clear and concise records of plant operations as outlined by FSMA regulations
• Prepare summaries of trial results with recommendations for product/process improvements

• Troubleshoots and optimizes current products and manufacturing processes for commercialization and to eliminate quality and production errors in the pilot plant

• Aptitude for troubleshooting minor mechanical and equipment issues when they arise
• Following equipment and maintenance operations as established by SOP’s
• Inventory management and raw materials prep and weigh ups.
• Safe usage of chemicals
• All other duties as assigned

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop, kneel or crouch; talk and hear. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee is also required to be able to taste and smell various food products and detect various attributes including taste, odor, and/or texture.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to a lab and pilot plant environment where the noise level is usually moderate, but can be high.

• Minimum 4 years of experience in food & beverage manufacturing operations.
• B.S. or B.A. from a 4-year college or university OR relevant experience in the food industry

• Basic understanding of food safety and handling procedures
• Basic understanding of lab safety rules and procedures
• Ability to read and analyze experimental and process designs to reach a desired outcome
• Ability to write and communicate observations and test summaries
• Ability to interpret…