Process Engineer; Boardman

Process Engineer (Boardman, OR) – Tillamook County Creamery Association

Position located on‑site at the Boardman, Oregon facility.

Come join the Tillamook Team, one of the fastest‑growing dairy brands in the US. We play to win to create over 200 dairy products in 7 categories: cheese, ice cream, yogurt, sour cream, butter, cream cheese, and frozen meals.

Our uncompromising quality has led us to become the #1 cheddar, #2 cream cheese, and #3 family size ice cream brands. As a farmer‑owned cooperative since 1909, we are good stewards for our stakeholders and always do a little extra. We are looking for team members with a one‑team and genuine care mindset who are inspired to share the delight of the Tillamook brand with each other and others every day.

The Process Engineer owns the interface between fluid processing equipment, product, and utility systems, and leads the design and implementation of solutions to improve quality, reduce cost, and support customer demands for new products. The Process Engineer works closely with the Whey Production Manager and Process Technologist to support the New Product Development group, and with the plant maintenance and engineering team to enhance profitability and growth by reducing operating costs and downtime.

• Own the engineering of the cheese and powder production processes from milk receiving to cheese block formers, through WPC‑80 and lactose manufacturing finished packaging.
• Collaborate with the Sales and Marketing teams to lead feasibility studies for new products.
• Evaluate, research and develop new or alternate materials, process methods, equipment and technologies.
• Provide technical support when growth, modernization and expansion occurs in cheese and whey production and processing capacity to meet market demands with state‑of‑the‑art systems.
• Develop and implement processes, procedures, and methodology to improve efficiencies and quality of dairy products produced.
• Collaborate with Production, R&D, Quality and Finance to define expected operational success criteria and operational costs for proposed projects.
• Specify pumps, valves, and instrumentation in collaboration with the engineering automation team.
• Prepare the RFP including clear statement of work, project success criteria, process flow diagram, equipment specifications, FAT expectations, and terms and conditions adequate to support accurate vendor proposals.
• Verify performance of new equipment and process installations.
• Lead resolution of vendor technical performance issues with new equipment or processes.
• Provide design and operational oversight for utility systems and critical production and utility equipment.
• Provide technical support for maintenance when requested.
• Develop and track performance and maintenance of large rotating equipment such as centrifuges, fans and compressors.
• Initiate, plan and lead capital and non‑capital maintenance and equipment projects to ensure timely and cost‑effective achievement of project objectives.
• Manage small to mid‑sized capital improvement projects.
• Serve as a subject‑matter expert on large project teams.
• Ensure regulatory compliance (ODA, USDA, FDA, SQF, PSM/RMP) for all projects.
• Mandate adherence to all safety guidelines to provide a safe work environment for all employees.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with employees, supervisors and the general public.
• Communicate difficult concepts and negotiate with others to achieve the optimal solution.
• Act as a team player and interact with staff at all levels of the company.
• Work under pressure, meet deadlines, and be flexible in working on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrate excellent time‑management skills and the ability to work independently with little supervision.
• Demonstrate knowledge of P&t and engineering specifications development, including piping layouts, tank/storage handling and fluid diversion, mixing of fluid media specific to cheese/dairy or CIP processes, pumps and valves.
• Solve moderately complex problems; take a new perspective on existing solutions and exercise judgment based on the analysis of multiple sources of information.
• Demonstrate design…