Director, R&D Process Engineering

The R&D Process Engineering Director will lead process design and commercialization efforts across new and existing snack bar and confection product platforms. This role plays a critical link between Product Development, Operations, Quality, and Engineering to ensure seamless transition from bench to full-scale manufacturing. Additionally, the role will assist in optimization of current manufacturing processes. The role will focus on developing and optimizing manufacturing processes that enable the commercialization of new food products, improving quality, reducing costs, and enhancing production efficiency.

The ideal Director level candidate will have a strong background in process engineering, food science, and project management. The Director of Process Engineering will collaborate with cross-functional teams including R&D, Sales & Marketing, Engineering and Operations, to improve market readiness and product / equipment interface. The Director of R&D Process Engineering will report to the Vice President of Research & Development. This position will require working in both office and production environments. Travel to customer sites and manufacturing facilities will be required.

Essential Functions & Key Responsibilities :

Commercialization & R&D Handoff :

• Serve as the technical lead for transitioning products from R&D to full-scale production, ensuring product and process consistency
• Collaborate cross-functionally with R&D, Quality, and Operations to develop robust process specifications, validation protocols, and process documentation
• Participate in line trials, first productions, and root-cause troubleshooting during initial scale-up
• Develop and maintain process flow diagrams, batching process and product processing standards

Process Optimization :

Innovation & New Equipment Scoping

Education

Technical Skills

Project Management Skills

Developing detailed project plans and schedules to ensure timely completion

Efficiently managing resources, including materials, equipment, and personnel

Interpersonal Skills

Clearly conveying technical information to team members and stakeholders

Collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams to achieve project goals

Identifying issues and developing innovative solutions to overcome challenges

Highly skilled at analyzing problems, identifying alternative solutions, projecting consequences of proposed actions, and implementing recommendations in support of goals.

Tandem Foods is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.