Process Engineer - 1st Shift (Hybrid) in Loves Park, Illinois at TH Foods, Inc.

Position Summary:

The Process Engineer will make a meaningful impact on TH Foods portfolio by leading key process development and implementation initiatives that enable innovation, improve manufacturing capability, and support business growth. This role is responsible for assessing, designing, and optimizing manufacturing processes for new and existing products, including identifying process requirements and capital needs for new production lines. The Process Engineer will drive technical excellence, support successful commercialization, and explore new processing technologies that enhance productivity, expand capabilities, and strengthen TH Foods competitive advantage.

Essential Duties and Requirements include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Develop and define process settings for new and existing items across all TH Foods manufacturing
• Develop, define, and optimize process settings for new and existing products across TH Foods manufacturing operations.
• Lead process development, commissioning, scale-up, and first production activities for new products, equipment, and processes.
• Conduct pilot-scale experiments, plant trials, first saleable production runs, and industrial-scale validations.
• Develop Bases of Design, process specifications, SOPs, centerline standards, and other documentation to support consistent manufacturing performance and product quality.
• Partner with R&D, Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Packaging, and external vendors to plan, prioritize, and execute commercialization and process improvement projects.
• Provide technical leadership on cross-functional project teams, including defining technical requirements, timelines, budgets, risks, and project deliverables.
• Identify process bottlenecks, capability gaps, and operational opportunities that improve throughput, OEE, product quality, cost, safety, or manufacturing flexibility.
• Design and execute process studies, capability testing, benchmarking, and data analysis to support fact-based recommendations and project decisions.
• Support equipment selection, co-manufacturing evaluations, vendor trials, FATs, SATs, installation, start-up, and handoff to Operations.
• Explore and evaluate new processing technologies that support innovation, productivity, expanded product formats, or improved manufacturing capability.
• Provide technical training, guidance, and troubleshooting support to Operations and plant teams.
• Apply structured problem-solving methods, such as 5 Whys, Fishbone, and root-cause analysis, to resolve process and performance issues.
• Build technical knowledge of TH Foods manufacturing operations, product categories, processing technologies, and external industry best practices.
• Understand and demonstrate the Company’s core values.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Skills

• Strong technical knowledge of food manufacturing, process development, scale-up, commercialization, and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional projects and influence stakeholders across R&D, Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Packaging, and external partners.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to interpret data, identify root causes, and recommend practical solutions.
• Experience with process capability analysis, statistics, SPC, and data-driven decision-making.
• Solid project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities, timelines, risks, and deliverables.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate technical information into clear recommendations.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment while balancing competing priorities.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective relationships at all levels of the organization.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; statistical software experience preferred.
• Knowledge of food safety, GMPs, product quality, process specifications, and manufacturing documentation.
• Experience incorporating safety considerations into process and equipment design.
• Hands-on experience with pilot trials, scale-up, commissioning, and industrial production launches.
• Experience with commercialization tools such as CQV, FMEA, CPRA, process design scopes, and transformation flowsheets preferred.
• Experience with baking, extrusion, thermal processing, drying, powder mixing, fermentation, aeration, emulsions, or shear processing preferred.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in food engineering, Chemical Engineering, Food Science, or a related technical field required.
• Advanced degree, Professional Engineer designation, or Six Sigma Green Belt certification preferred.

Experience

• 7+ years of relevant experience in food manufacturing, CPG, R&D, process engineering, manufacturing engineering, or a related technical field preferred.
• Experience with pilot line setup, scale-up, commercialization, production launches, and multi-site manufacturing environments preferred.
• Baking, extrusion, food processing, or capital equipment experience preferred.
• Familiarity with FDA regulations, food safety standards, and GMP requirements preferred

Travel

Up to 25% travel required

Physical Ability

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Expected Salary for this position is $150,000/ Year plus Bonus. Pay can vary based on experience.