Senior Process Optimization Engineer, Snack Manufacturing

Lead the Future of Snacking as a Senior Process Optimization Engineer

Step into a leadership role where you own the line’s technology, process settings, and maintenance strategy. Your deep technical mastery will keep our equipment at basic conditions, stabilize processes, and elevate line performance across Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, Sustainability, and Morale (SQCDSM).

A day in the life

Your morning begins on the shop floor, where you join DMS (Daily Management Systems) meetings at the shift and line level to align on SQCDSM priorities. You fine-tune centerlines, verify adherence to standards, and guide the team through problem-solving using TPM Phase 3 & 4 tools. Midday, you’re coaching technicians—spending at least half your time developing their technical and maintenance skills so they can operate and maintain equipment independently. In the afternoon, you’re managing the Repairs & Maintenance budget, steering preventive and time-based maintenance plans, partnering with Asset & Reliability on strategic improvement work, and contributing as the site technology owner in regional and global forums. You close the day by preparing change management actions, validating spares localization, and analyzing breakdowns to reduce R&M costs.

What you will do

• Partner with line leaders to deliver SQCDSM targets and ensure process stability.
• Own the line’s technology, process, and centerline settings; lead Progressive Maintenance systems, work processes, and KPIs.
• Manage the Repairs & Maintenance budget for the line.
• Develop and execute preventive and time-based maintenance systems; build technician capability (50%+ of your time) to run and maintain equipment.
• Serve within the PM Pillar—own PM systems at the line level and lead select elements at the department level.
• Collaborate with Asset & Reliability on improvement initiatives; drive change management, spares localization, breakdown analysis, and R&M cost reduction.
• Represent the site as technology owner in regional/global technology forums.
• Support VSU for new initiatives; enable the VSU team and facilitate internal/external benchmarking and reapplication.
• Act as subject matter expert for a component category and train PM-related subjects across the plant.

What you will bring

• Advanced knowledge of AM (Autonomous Maintenance) Step 4 and Progressive Maintenance Step 3; proficiency in executing AM & PM (including BD – Breakdown maintenance and planned maintenance) standards.
• Problem-solving expertise using TPM Phase 3 & 4 tools.
• Capability to lead a role for the line, qualify and coach next-level SWP owners, and drive improvements via PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Adjust).
• Experience operating as a Line Leader—aligning goals/master plans, deploying and managing IDPs, and coaching team members on performance and career growth.

Job-specific requirements

• 2+ years of experience in a related process role.
• Track record of challenging the status quo and collaborating across functions.
• Ability to work independently and deliver results.

Education / Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Engineering discipline preferred.

Preferred experience

• Experience leading, motivating, and engaging teams.
• Knowledge of Integrated Lean Six Sigma work systems.
• Knowledge of measurement methods and statistical analysis.
• Project management experience.
• Background in Production, Process, or Continuous Improvement within Food Manufacturing.
• Familiarity with FDA and USDA regulations and requirements.
• Green Belt/Black Belt preferred.

Work schedule

• Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Salary and benefits

• Base salary range: $70,400.00 – $97,700.00; exact pay depends on experience, skills, education, and budget.
• Eligible for a highly competitive bonus program with potential overachievement based on performance and company results.
• Benefits include health insurance, wellness and family support programs, life and disability insurance, retirement savings plans, paid leave programs, education-related programs, paid holidays, and vacation time. Eligibility requirements apply; many benefits are subsidized or fully paid by the company.