Process Engineer

Description

Looking for the opportunity to turn ideas into process improvements that make a real impact? At Freshpack, you'll collaborate across teams to optimize operations, lead continuous improvement initiatives, and help bring innovative solutions from concept to production.

We have an opening for a Process Engineer to join our team. The Process Engineer is responsible for identifying and implementing manufacturing improvements that drive safety, quality, efficiency, yield, and profitability. This role partners closely with Production, Quality, and Maintenance to optimize existing processes, support new product commercialization, analyze production performance, and drive continuous improvement initiatives throughout the facility.

Freshpack is a custom cheese packaging company that develops and innovates cheese products and packaging. Our products can be found in all 50 states and in most major retailers. Over the past 25 years, our team has grown from 15 to 280+ employees. It is an exciting time to join our team, as we are poised for substantial growth over the next 3-5 years.

Responsibilities

Continuous Improvement

• Lead continuous improvement projects focused on safety, quality, throughput, yield, and labor efficiency.
• Analyze production, quality, and downtime data to identify improvement opportunities and performance trends.
• Develop, implement, and sustain process improvements using structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for production, quality, and process-related issues.
• Drive waste reduction and yield improvement efforts, including trim reduction, overpack control, and floor loss reduction.
• Establish performance standards and support continuous monitoring of process capability and operational efficiency.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement and sustain operational improvements.

New Product Development

• Support new product introductions and process scale-up activities.
• Lead manufacturing trials, process validation projects, and initial production runs.
• Develop process parameters, work instructions, and operational standards for new products.
• Identify and resolve manufacturability challenges during commercialization.

Production Support

• Create and maintain process documentation, standard operating procedures, and work instructions.
• Monitor key manufacturing KPIs including OEE, throughput, yield, downtime, and labor efficiency.
• Recommend and implement corrective actions to improve process performance.
• Support production teams in troubleshooting process-related issues.
• Partner with Maintenance and Engineering to improve equipment reliability and operational effectiveness.
• Support equipment selection, installation, and startup activities by providing process expertise and operational requirements.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering discipline or related field required.
• 3-5 years of engineering experience in a manufacturing environment required.
• Experience leading or supporting continuous improvement, process optimization, or manufacturing excellence initiatives preferred.
• Experience in food manufacturing, dairy processing, packaging, or consumer packaged goods environments strongly preferred.
• Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement training preferred.
• Knowledge of food safety systems, GMPs, HACCP, and SQF requirements preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret manufacturing data.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and data analysis tools.
• Understanding of statistical analysis, process capability, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

• Typical work schedule: M-F during standard business hours.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to walk or stand for long periods of time while on production floor and warehouse.

Benefits

• Annual KPI bonus opportunity of up to 10% of base salary, paid quarterly.
• Medical, dental, vision, company-provided life insurance & more!
• Referral program
• 401(k) program
• Pay for Performance program
• Get paid every Friday!