Director of Process Engineering

Director of Process Engineering

The Director of Process Engineering will develop and lead the onsite Area Process Engineering team for Chobani's Idaho production facility. This position will be responsible for ensuring timely technical support of daily manufacturing operations, including troubleshooting, root cause investigations, optimization, and reporting of KPIs for proactive process monitoring. This role has a responsibility for ensuring both food safety and quality of Chobani products, and requires a self-sufficient, decisive leader.

Responsibilities:

• Lead a team of Process Engineers, responsible for proactive monitoring, anomaly detection, and the identification of root causes for issues in processes and products.
• Develop strong cross-functional relationships with manufacturing site leaders to promote collaboration across departments.
• Build out KPIs and reporting structure for process performance throughout the plant.
• Support processing, utilities, and wastewater systems with technical knowledge and expertise.
• Design methods for maintaining or increasing process efficiencies while improving costs, yields, quality, and safety.
• Troubleshoot process problems and identify the true root cause to correct process issues.
• Solicit and critique all proposed process changes, submittals, and designs through a Management of Change process.
• Prepare conceptual engineering designs and specify necessary process equipment.
• Work with vendors and contractors to achieve desired project outcomes, ensuring that work is completed safely and in accordance with all regulatory guidelines and internal standards.
• Assist with transitioning capital projects to the production plant team.
• Maintain documentation library in coordination with the drafting team (Equipment Layouts, Process Flow Diagrams, P&IDs, Equipment Manuals, Standards, etc.)

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering preferred, other engineering degrees considered.
• 8+ years of experience in plant manufacturing or capital projects.
• 3+ years of experience leading a technical team.
• Experience in hygienic process design.
• Dairy or food industry manufacturing preferred with deep process knowledge including pasteurization and separation.
• Cultured dairy products and aseptic processing is a plus.
• Working knowledge of HACCP, food safety, and related compliance regulations.
• PMO experience is a plus.
• Knowledge in sizing pumps, piping, and other general dairy processing equipment.
• Understanding of PLC and logic controls for manufacturing equipment.
• Experience in process data trending and analysis.
• SEEQ knowledge preferred.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office software and AutoCAD.
• Ability to communicate effectively across various levels, prioritize tasks, and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to act as a working manager and the technical ability to support the process engineering team where needed.
• Proactive leadership, personal drive, and the ability to energize others.