Process Engineer - UHT Operations

The Process Engineer is a key technical resource for Darigold's retail facing operations - UHT, Aseptic, ESL, Culture and Fresh milk, responsible for improving process performance, reliability, efficiency and innovation in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.

This role operates as a shared site resource, partnering with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, and R&D to stabilize processes, lead trials and change, and convert data into sustainable improvements that protect food safety, quality, and cost. The ideal candidate brings strong floor presence, analytical rigor, and a continuous improvement mindset, with the ability to translate complex process behavior into practical solutions.

What You Will Do:

Subject matter expert on UHT, Aseptic, ESL, Culture and HTST processing functions across product portfolios and cleaning matrices.

Innovation Trials, Validation & Change Execution

• Provide support to Product Development on processing functions in conjunction with formulation to achieve intended finished product characteristics.
• Plan and execute process trials, line trials, and validations in partnership with PD, QA, OT and Operations.
• Provide technical leadership for process changes, ensuring risks are assessed, mitigated, and embedded.
• Support startup, scale-up, and post-trial stabilization to sustain improvements.

Process Performance & Optimization

• Drive improvements in yield, throughput, loss reduction, and process stability across B2C operations.
• Analyze process data, trends, and KPIs to identify constraints and prioritize improvement opportunities.
• Lead structured problem solving for chronic and complex process issues impacting safety, quality, or performance.
• Establish, monitor, and improve critical operating parameters and control strategies.

Quality, Food Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with GMP, SQF, HACCP, and aseptic requirements.
• Partner with Quality on investigations, product holds, and corrective actions.
• Support audits through strong technical process knowledge and documentation.

Continuous Improvement & Capability Building

• Provide technical support to Processing operators to troubleshoot and resolve issues.
• Translate operational challenges into measurable continuous-improvement initiatives.
• Apply SPC, trend analysis, Pareto, and RCA tools to eliminate variation.
• Provide training to operators on process control and process function.
• Provide technical support to Processing operators to troubleshoot and resolve issues.
• Translate operational challenges into measurable continuous-improvement initiatives.

Shared-Resource & Cross-Functional Support

• Serve as a flexible technical resource across the Darigold B2C network.

Capital & Project Support

• Support capital projects, equipment modifications, commissioning, and operational acceptance.

What You Will Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering required, Mechanical, Industrial, or related disciplines considered.
• 5-7 years of experience in a manufacturing or process-driven environment.
• Proven experience improving process performance using data-driven methods.
• Experience supporting or leading process trials and technical change.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in UHT, Aseptic, Culture, ESL, dairy, beverage, or regulated food manufacturing.
• Knowledge of CIP systems, thermal processing, and hygienic design.
• Lean / Six Sigma or demonstrated CI leadership experience.

Key Competencies

• Hands-on, floor-focused problem solving
• Data-driven decision making
• Strong cross-functional collaboration
• Strong technical capability in process control systems
• Ownership mindset for safety, quality, and results

Working Environment

Manufacturing plant environment with frequent floor presence. Off‑shift or weekend support may be required during trials, startups, or critical issues. Up to 20% travel to support Darigold production network.

Benefits of Working at Darigold

We understand that as an employee, the benefits that support you and your family in and out of work are important. We are proud to offer eligible positions a competitive total rewards package - that includes:

• 401K with competitive employer matching
• Comprehensive medical, dental & vision benefits
• Employer paid life & disability coverage
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• 8 weeks (about 2 months) paid parental Leave
• Education assistance
• Employee assistance program

Our Commitment to Diversity

Achieving our vision to Lead Dairy Forward requires cultivating and supporting a team with varying backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We are committed to providing a workplace based on mutual respect where all employees feel included and can bring their best and authentic selves to work every day. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and Affirmative Action Employer. We welcome all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability, marital status, creed, religion, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. As a condition of employment applicants offered a role will be required to successfully pass our pre-employment background screen, receive a negative drug screen result & confirm eligibility to work in the U.S. We participate in E-Verify - please follow the links for details, English / Spanish & view our Right to Work Statement, English / Spanish.