Protein Engineering Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

1440 Foods is a sports and active nutrition company on a mission to help energize people to unleash their potential with a focused portfolio of accessible, great-tasting health and wellness brands: Pure Protein nutrition bars; and Body Fortress high efficacy protein powders; MET-Rx high-performance meal replacements; and FitCrunch delicious high protein snacks. Join our fun, fast-paced company to be a part of growing 1440 Foods into the future! Position Overview The Senior Process Engineer serves as a cornerstone of operational excellence at our food manufacturing facility. In this role, you will own the plant Management Operating System (MOS), drive KPI reporting and analysis, and lead continuous improvement initiatives across the plant floor. You will mentor cross-functional Rapid Results Teams, champion best practice sharing across shifts and sites, and foster a culture where every team member is invested in performance. This is a high-visibility role with direct impact on how we operate, improve, and grow. Job Responsibilities Management Operating System (MOS) Own and maintain the plant MOS, ensuring consistent execution across all departments and shifts. Drive Hour by Hour boards, department performance boards, and plant-level performance tracking as key pillars of the operating rhythm. Ensure the MOS is a living system that reflects current priorities and drives accountability at every level of the plant. KPI Reporting and Analysis Lead plant KPI reporting, including data collection, analysis, and presentation to plant leadership. Identify trends, surface performance gaps, and translate data into clear, actionable insights. Benchmark performance across shifts and facilitate structured best practice sharing to close gaps and replicate wins. Monitor and analyze production variance data to ensure accurate financial reporting of yield. Continuous Improvement and Culture Foster a culture of continuous improvement on the plant floor by engaging operators, supervisors, and support teams in CI principles. Lead and mentor Rapid Results Teams, guiding structured problem-solving efforts through to measurable outcomes. Identify, valuate, and prioritize improvement opportunities using data-driven analysis and cross-functional input. Leverage knowledge and learnings across 1440 Foods sites to ensure consistency in processes and accelerate improvement efforts. Training and SOP Development Support the development, revision, and standardization of SOPs to reflect best practices and current process knowledge. Partner with plant leadership and training teams to build and deliver effective training programs for production staff. Ensure documentation is accurate, accessible, and consistently maintained. Cross-Functional Collaboration Work closely with quality, operations, maintenance, and supply chain teams to align improvement efforts with broader plant and business objectives. Serve as a resource and thought partner for plant leadership on process strategy, capacity, and performance. Qualifications and Skills Education and Experience Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field. Master's degree preferred. Minimum 5 years of experience in a process engineering or continuous improvement role within food, pharmaceutical, or consumer goods manufacturing. Demonstrated experience owning or leading a Management Operating System (MOS) or similar structured operating model. Proven track record of leading CI initiatives (Lean, Kaizen, Six Sigma, or equivalent) with measurable results. Experience with NetSuite or comparable ERP preferred. Skills and Competencies Strong analytical skills with the ability to build and interpret KPI dashboards and performance reports. Excellent communication and facilitation skills, including experience presenting to plant leadership and cross-functional teams. Proficiency in data analysis tools; experience with process simulation software a plus. Ability to influence without direct authority and drive engagement at all levels of the organization. Knowledge of food safety regulations, GMP, and quality standards applicable to food manufacturing. Willingness to travel occasionally to other 1440 Foods manufacturing sites. Work Environment and Physical Demands Exposure to both office and food manufacturing environments. Significant time working at a computer station, with frequent visits to the manufacturing floor. Must wear required PPE while in all manufacturing areas. Frequent sitting, standing, and walking; occasional lifting up to 50 lbs. Ability to perform functions including repetitive motion, grasping, lifting, reaching, crouching, and climbing. Noise levels will vary; higher noise levels exist in plant operations areas. If you're a continuous improvement leader who thrives on building systems, developing teams, and driving measurable results on the plant floor, we'd love to hear from you. #J-18808-Ljbffr