Lead Process Engineer

Location: Martel Bakery Mix – [Facility Location]
Schedule: Full-Time, Monday–Friday | 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM (hours may vary based on workload)

At Mennel Milling, we’ve been feeding the world since 1886 by doing what’s right and bringing our best every day. We promote teamwork, recognize individual contributions, and are committed to delivering superior quality, uniformity, and service. If you're an experienced manufacturing engineer who thrives on solving complex process challenges and driving continuous improvement, this is your opportunity to make a significant impact.

The ideal Lead Process Engineer is a technically strong, data-driven leader who excels at optimizing manufacturing processes and developing practical solutions that improve quality, efficiency, reliability, and cost performance. You enjoy collaborating across departments, mentoring others, and leveraging data to drive sustainable improvements in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.

As the Lead Process Engineer, you will serve as the technical leader for manufacturing processes at the Martel Bakery Mix facility. You'll partner with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, and R&D to improve process performance, solve production challenges, and support continuous improvement initiatives throughout the plant.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Developing technical expertise in bakery mix processing, ingredient handling, batching, mixing, transfer, and manufacturing systems
• Monitoring and analyzing process performance to improve consistency, throughput, yield, quality, reliability, and operating costs
• Identifying sources of process variation and implementing solutions that improve repeatability across products, shifts, operators, and production lines
• Establishing and maintaining critical process parameters, operating ranges, centerlines, specifications, and standard work procedures
• Troubleshooting production and equipment issues and leading structured root cause analysis efforts
• Partnering with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, R&D, and Engineering teams to implement corrective actions and process improvements
• Using production data and statistical analysis to identify trends, evaluate process capability, and prioritize improvement opportunities
• Leading and supporting plant trials involving formulas, ingredients, processing conditions, equipment settings, and manufacturing methods
• Supporting new product introductions, formula changes, equipment installations, commissioning activities, and process validations
• Identifying opportunities to reduce cycle times, product loss, waste, downtime, rework, and other manufacturing losses
• Developing and maintaining SOPs, process documentation, troubleshooting guides, and technical training materials
• Providing technical training, coaching, and mentorship to operations personnel and developing engineers
• Maintaining compliance with GMPs, OSHA requirements, food safety programs, sanitation standards, and regulatory requirements
• Maintaining an everyday audit-ready facility
• Performing other duties as assigned

While this position does not have direct supervisory responsibility, it provides significant technical leadership throughout the facility by:

• Leading process troubleshooting, startups, plant trials, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Setting technical priorities and coaching employees in structured problem-solving methods
• Coordinating external vendors, engineering resources, equipment suppliers, and contractors
• Mentoring less-experienced engineers, technicians, and technical personnel
• Supporting capital projects, equipment commissioning, and startup activities

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Food Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, or a related engineering discipline preferred

• Minimum of 8 years of progressive engineering or technical experience in a manufacturing environment required
• Food manufacturing or batch-processing experience strongly preferred
• Proven success leading process troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and driving data-based decision-making
• Experience supporting capital projects, equipment commissioning, startups, or process validations preferred
• Working knowledge of ingredient handling, batching, mixing, bulk material handling, process controls, packaging systems, and production operations
• Strong understanding of GMPs, food safety systems, and manufacturing regulatory requirements

• Strong analytical, technical, and problem-solving abilities
• Experience utilizing production data, SPC, process capability tools, and statistical analysis techniques preferred
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications
• Excellent communication, presentation, and technical writing skills
• Demonstrated leadership through mentoring, coaching, project leadership, or team development
• Ability to influence and collaborate effectively across multiple departments

We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, well-being, and career growth:

• Competitive Pay
• Flexible Accrued Paid Time Off and Holiday Schedule
• Health & Wellbeing Benefits (medical, prescription, vision, dental, HSA, company-paid short-term disability, EAP, and more)
• Life Insurance
• Profit Sharing
• Career Advancement & Training Opportunities
• Rewards & Recognition Program
• Retirement Contributions (401k, etc.)
• Tuition Assistance

Apply today and help Martel Bakery Mix and Mennel continue a tradition of operational excellence through process innovation, technical leadership, and continuous improvement.