Food Process Engineer Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

DescriptionReady for more than just a job? Build a career with purpose.At Lactalis in the USA, we?re committed to providing meaningful opportunities for our people to learn, grow, and thrive whether you?re just starting your journey with us or looking to take the next step in your career. From day one, we offer the tools and support to help you succeed. As the world leader in dairy, Lactalis is a family-owned company with over 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals across the globe. Each day, we?re proud to produce award-winning dairy products that bring people together. In the US, we proudly offer an unrivaled house of beloved brands, including Galbani Italian cheeses and ricotta, Prsident specialty cheeses and butters, Kraft natural and grated cheeses, Breakstone?s cottage cheese, Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond cheddar, and Parmalat milk. Our yogurt portfolio includes siggi?s, Stonyfield Organic, Brown Cow , Oui, Yoplait, Go-Gurt, :ratio, Green Mountain Creamery, and Mountain High, along with a growing family of ethnic favorites like Karoun, Gopi, and Arz.At Lactalis, we live by our core values Ambition, Engagement, and Simplicity. We foster a workplace where innovation thrives, diverse perspectives are celebrated, and everyone?s unique background and ideas are valued. Even if you don?t meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply. We want to hear about your PASSION, your STORY, and how your EXPERTISE can help us shape the future of dairy.                                       From your PASSION to oursLactalis Midwest Yogurt, part of the Lactalis family of companies, is currently hiring a Sr Process Engineer based in Reed City, Michigan.  As a Senior Process Engineer in our Reed City, MI yogurt plant, you will take ownership of the yogurt making process from Milk Receiving through finished yogurt delivery to packaging. You will work on site at the yogurt factory with the operations, quality and engineering teams to continuously improve performance. You will provide technical leadership for the equipment and processes on your systems.  The process engineer is responsible to identify, develop, and lead execution of solutions for performance improvements and capacity solutions through strong business partnership, strategic productivity, and continuous improvement efforts. This is a very rewarding role where you can see the product you make every day in the store. From your EXPERTISE to oursKey responsibilities for this position include:Demonstrate clear understanding and execution of human and food safety practices in food manufacturing plantDemonstrate expertise in manufacturing information systems, quality metrics, analysis methods and proceduresLeverage and advance system capability through people, process and technologyLead and support technical improvements on your systemsCoach and provide technical expertise on problem solving and continuous improvement activities Provide leadership support for Technical Resources (including maintenance technicians, controls TECHs, etc.)Identify, vet and implement productivity solutions on your system.Partner with R&D, Quality, Operations, and Engineering/Maintenance to drive system improvements & reduce lossesLead development of future state of your systems and provide technical expertise in development of improvement planDevelop and champion a system vision, technical road map and capital needs to support Long Range Plan for your systems. Requirements  From your STORY to oursQualified applicants will contribute the following:Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, Ag/Food Process Engineering or related degree with extensive food manufacturing experience3+ years in relevant manufacturing experienceStrong ability to work hands on in manufacturing plant environment with operators and mechanics as well as other departments in the plant and business teams.Strong interpersonal skills, effective written and oral communications, strong listening skills, strong coaching/teaching skills.Ability to learn quickly and have curiosity to dig into challenges to identify and correct root cause.Demonstrated technical leadership, adaptability, analytical and problem-solving skills, decision making, troubleshooting, communications, team management, and human relations skillsBe innovative, resourceful, and work with minimal directionHave excellent organization, problem solving, communication, and team leadership skillsHave ability to multi-task, prioritize your work and make data driven decisionsGood understanding of mechanics, fluid dynamics and heat transfer.Ability to read and develop equipment and process flow diagramsExperience using and developing mass balance for systemsAbility to work well with computer Office applications, particularly Microsoft ExcelPreferred Qualifications 5+ years in relevant food manufacturing with Engineering experienceExperience working in dairy manufacturing and demonstrated understanding of PMO Dairy and 3A Sanitary Design StandardsExperience working with CIP systems and sanitation.Strong Mechanical and Electrical AptitudeAt Lactalis, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Program with a variety of affordable benefits and coverage options. We support insurance costs significantly, contribute generously to retirement plans, and offer Paid Time Off from day one. We are committed to your professional growth, providing training and development opportunities, including Education Reimbursement. Join us and grow your career.Lactalis is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally-recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities. Further, any division of the Company that is an Affirmative Action Employer will comply with all related legal obligations.