Senior Process Engineer

Job Description

### **Senior Process Engineer - Holland, Michigan**

DISHER is currently partnering with a leading food manufacturer in Holland, MI to fill their Senior Process Engineer position. This role is ideal for someone who can design, optimize, and continuously improve food production processes in a complex manufacturing environment while balancing efficiency, scalability, food safety, and operational goals.

### **What it's like to work here:**

This organization is committed to operational excellence, quality, and continuous improvement. Success in this environment requires strong process thinking and systems analysis, a lean mindset, technical problem solving, data-driven decision making, cross-functional leadership, regulatory awareness, and a continuous improvement mindset. The culture values accountability, collaboration, and a shared drive to create efficient, scalable, and compliant food production systems.

What you will get to do:
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* Design and develop food production processes, including mixing, cooking, baking, extrusion, forming, packaging, and material handling systems.
* Create and maintain Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs), P\&IDs, and equipment specifications.
* Conduct line capacity analysis and throughput modeling to assess operational performance.
* Evaluate process capability and identify opportunities for yield, efficiency, and quality improvements.
* Lead pilot testing, scale-up activities, and validation of new processes.
* Support capital project planning from conceptualization through commissioning.
* Develop detailed equipment specifications and actively participate in vendor selection.
* Review equipment layouts to ensure compliance with hygienic design standards.
* Oversee installation, Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), and startup of new production lines.
* Ensure timely and cost-effective completion of projects.
* Analyze production data to pinpoint bottlenecks and process inefficiencies.
* Implement Lean, Six Sigma, or comparable methodologies to enhance performance.
* Drive initiatives to improve yield, minimize waste, and optimize ingredient utilization.
* Support Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) improvement efforts.
* Conduct root cause analysis to address recurring process challenges.
* Ensure all process designs adhere to USDA and GMP requirements.
* Integrate hygienic design principles within equipment layout and selection.
* Collaborate with Quality and Food Safety teams on validation and verification protocols.
* Contribute to HACCP plan development and risk assessments for new processes.
* Maintain compliance with OSHA and environmental regulations.
* Partner with R\&D throughout new product development and commercialization phases.
* Work closely with Maintenance to support equipment reliability and maintainability.
* Collaborate with Operations to resolve production challenges.
* Provide training for operators on new equipment and process implementations.
* Participate in sustainability initiatives focused on energy, water, and waste reduction.
* Develop comprehensive standard operating procedures (SOPs) for new processes.
* Maintain thorough engineering documentation and change management records.
* Ensure proper validation and recordkeeping for regulatory audits.
* Support the management of process control strategies and integration of automation.

What will make you successful:
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* Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field.
* 5--8 years of process engineering experience in food manufacturing or a regulated CPG environment.
* Strong knowledge of food manufacturing and sanitary system design.
* Experience with AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or similar design software.
* Familiarity with PLCs, process controls, and automation integration.
* Understanding of GMPs, HACCP, and food safety standards.
* Experience supporting capital projects.
* Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
* Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration abilities.

Preferred Qualifications:
* Experience with high-speed packaging lines.
* Knowledge of hygienic design standards (3-A, EHEDG).
* Lean Six Sigma certification.
* Experience in frozen, refrigerated, or shelf-stable food manufacturing environments.
* Project management experience.