Senior Process Engineer

@ DISHER
DISHERdisher.com

Senior Process Engineer

Posted 1 month ago

This job is still taking applications, but it's been up a while.

About the job

DISHER partners with a leading food manufacturer in Holland, MI. The Senior Process Engineer designs, optimizes, and improves food production systems focusing on efficiency, safety, and quality.

Requirements

  • 5-8+ years process engineering
  • Knowledge of food manufacturing
  • Experience with AutoCAD or SolidWorks
  • Understanding of GMPs and HACCP
  • Analytical and problem-solving skills

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering
  • Strong communication skills
  • Cross-functional collaboration ability

Full 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:

  • 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:

  • 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.


    • Show full description

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