Midwest & West USA
Exclusive Executive Search for Top Process Engineers in Food Manufacturing
As a leading search firm, we specialize in direct hire opportunities for exceptional individuals looking to advance their career in process engineering in the food manufacturing industry throughout the Midwest/West USA.
Our ideal candidate is currently employed, passively looking for the next best position, and has a passion for process engineering. Designing, optimizing and improving food manufacturing processes is your drive. Always seeing solutions to problems and coming up with new ideas to make processes more efficient. Over the past several years, we’ve grown a network of “off-market” candidates who rarely show up during a standard search, many of whom have become our top clients.
Currently open to work or an active job seeker, we are here for you as well. Go to our jobs section and upload your resume there.
Example Positions We Fill
Lean Engineer
The Lean Engineer works alongside the team of Manufacturing Engineers, Engineering Technicians, Maintenance Technicians, and others to design, launch, refine, and maintain current and upcoming assembly lines, processes, and facilities. The Lean Specialist will work with cross-functional teams to ensure that solutions are developed, projects are completed, and issues are resolved, all focusing on safety, quality, and efficiency.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as deemed necessary.
- Develops and implements lean manufacturing strategies, goals, and initiatives to improve operational efficiency, and flow, reduce waste, and enhance productivity.
- Assists in training team members on methodologies such as 5S, Lean, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), and visual management.
- Partners with production, engineering, and supply chain teams to analyze existing processes and identify bottlenecks or inefficiencies.
- Drives a culture of continuous improvement by fostering employee engagement, empowerment, and accountability at all levels of the organization.
- Collaborates with leadership to establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and collects data to monitor process performance and measure the success of lean initiatives.
- Leads lean training and education initiatives to build organizational capability and ensure alignment with lean principles and practices.
- Provides guidance and support to cross-functional teams during lean projects and initiatives, ensuring successful implementation and sustainable results.
- Stays current on industry best practices and emerging trends in lean manufacturing, and incorporates new methodologies and technologies as appropriate.
- Will perform additional responsibilities when required.
Requirements:
What You’ll Bring:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or equivalent years of experience
- 2+ years of experience in lean manufacturing and operational leadership roles, with a proven track record of implementing lean principles and driving operational excellence
- Strong knowledge of lean tools and methodologies, including value stream mapping, 5S, kanban, SMED, TPM, and Kaizen
- Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to identify root causes and implement effective solutions
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate with stakeholders at all levels of the organization
- Maintains confidentiality of proprietary information
- Ability to maintain a professional atmosphere in a fast-paced environment with numerous interactions and interruptions
- A high degree of initiative, self-motivation, and ability to motivate others
- Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with Team Members and colleagues
Not Required but Nice to Have!
- Experience with Injection molded plastics
- Lean Six Sigma certification
- Experience with electronic components (i.e.; motors, wire harnesses, printed circuit boards)
- Experience with Google Suite
- CAD experience
Qualification Engineer
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
- Regulatory Support & Compliance: Provide internal guidance on product regulations and intended use, ensuring compliance with domestic and international requirements.
- Supplier & Documentation Review: Evaluate supplier documents for accuracy, completeness, and compliance, maintaining integrity in regulatory databases.
- Compliance & Certifications: Review formulas, technical data, and labeling for compliance with regulations, customer requirements, and industry guidelines. Manage Kosher, Halal, and organic certification processes, including audits.
- International Compliance & Customs: Assess international regulations for raw materials, support ingredient registration for foreign imports, and respond to customs inquiries.
- Data Integrity & Reporting:Verify compliance data, approve FIDS, oversee SDS creation, and provide technical responses to customer inquiries.
- Regulatory Research & Advisory:Stay current with regulatory changes, advise on new developments, and ensure compliance with FDA, USDA, TTB, IFRA, Prop 65, and international standards.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Education:Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Food Science, or a related field.
- Experience:3-5 years in regulatory affairs with supervisory experience; familiarity with Halal, Kosher, or Organic certification processes; international regulations preferred.
- Regulatory Knowledge:Understanding of global regulatory authorities, TTB regulations, and compliance guidelines.
- Technical Skills:Ability to analyze scientific data, interpret regulations, and apply mathematical/statistical concepts for problem-solving.
- Communication & Attention to Detail:Strong written/verbal skills with keen accuracy in reporting and interpretation.
- Project Management:Capable of handling multiple projects, prioritizing tasks, and meeting deadlines.
- Software Proficiency:High competency in MS Office, Outlook, Internet applications, and ERP systems.
Equipment Design Engineer
- Organize and schedule necessary labor efforts of project and estimating activities
- Create process descriptions as inputs to other groups in preparing functional specifications
- Oversee and develop process and instrumentation drawings (P&IDs)
- Using the customer’s specifications and/or developing the necessary specifications to support project designs to a level of detail necessary to build the proposed equipment
- Meet and exceed scheduled deadlines
- Negotiate efficient and optimized vendor pricing and accounts
- Business input through Engineering, Sales, and Job meetings/events
- Fill in for any divisional activities in need of assistance
- Prepare proposals, create and follow up on sales leads
- Assist on installation projects by attending bid walk-throughs, providing equipment layouts, providing process engineering support, performing resource planning and project details
- Review and correct customer approval drawings on projects and provide direction to System Designers regarding approval drawings
Requirements
- Experience of 2 years or more or a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering is encouraged
- Knowledge of CAD and Estimating Software
- General understanding of process design, hardware, and instrumentation
Manufacturing Engineer
Job Summary
- Analyze and optimize plant processes to improve efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and enhance ethanol yield.
- Troubleshoot process issues, identify root causes, and implement solutions.
- Develop and update process flow diagrams (PFDs), piping & instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), and energy/mass balances.
- Assist in the design, execution, and startup of capital projects.
- Support safety, environmental, and regulatory compliance (OSHA, EPA, FDA).
- Collaborate with vendors, contractors, and plant teams to drive operational excellence.
- Provide technical expertise to operations and maintenance teams for troubleshooting and process improvements.
- Lead or participate in continuous improvement initiatives (Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, etc.).
More than just a job—your work will drive efficiency, sustainability, and innovation in renewable energy.
What We’re Looking For
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Mechanical, Bioprocess, or related Engineering field
Experience:
- Entry-level candidates welcome!
- Preferred: 2+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment
Technical Skills:
- Experience with process modeling software (Chemcad preferred).
- Familiarity with SCADA/DCS systems, Microsoft Office Suite, and data analysis tools (e.g., Excel macros).
- Knowledge of P&IDs, heat & mass balance calculations, and process safety.
Soft Skills:
- Strong problem-solving ability, communication skills, and a continuous improvement mindset.
Work Environment & Physical Demands
- Work includes both office and plant settings—expect a mix of hands-on troubleshooting and technical analysis.
- Exposure to high temperatures, moving machinery, and industrial equipment.
- Must be able to lift up to 60 lbs, work at heights, and enter confined spaces.
- Occasional travel for training or project-related site visits
Process Engineer
- Analyze and optimize plant processes to improve efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and enhance ethanol yield.
- Troubleshoot process issues, identify root causes, and implement solutions.
- Develop and update process flow diagrams (PFDs), piping & instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), and energy/mass balances.
- Assist in the design, execution, and startup of capital projects.
- Support safety, environmental, and regulatory compliance (OSHA, EPA, FDA).
- Collaborate with vendors, contractors, and plant teams to drive operational excellence.
- Provide technical expertise to operations and maintenance teams for troubleshooting and process improvements.
- Lead or participate in continuous improvement initiatives (Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, etc.).
- More than just a job—your work will drive efficiency, sustainability, and innovation in renewable
