The Role
Provide technical leadership for aseptic liquid processing and packaging across food plants. Design, optimize, troubleshoot, and maintain aseptic production lines; manage projects, evaluate equipment/technology, conduct feasibility and cost-benefit analyses, and ensure safety, food quality, regulatory compliance, and SQF system support.
Summary Generated by Built In
Provide technical expertise and process guidance in the area of aseptic liquid processing and packaging for all food manufacturing plants. Perform all jobs safely, efficiently and accurately to maintain and improve the performance of the entire plant in the areas of Safety, Quality, Reliability (SQR) and our Customer 1st strategy. Provide leadership that embodies our 7 Kroger Manufacturing High Performance Work System principles. Demonstrate the company's core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion and safety.Responsibilities
- Function as a contributor in the development of Kroger Manufacturing's aseptic product strategy
- Create detailed engineering and design plans for aseptic food products ranging from dairy products, juices, blended products, viscous concentrates and pastes
- Optimize, troubleshoot and maintain existing aseptic manufacturing lines to improve quality, productivity and safety
- Prepare conceptual process and packaging designs which can enhance existing or new aseptic product portfolio
- Manage multiple assigned projects establishing manpower, budgets, scheduling, equipment, and materials
- Evaluate and present appropriate current and new equipment and technology
- Prepare process analysis of existing processing technologies and systems
- Conduct feasibility studies and cost-benefit analysis
- Participate in industry tradeshows and technical conferences to identify new technologies and innovations in aseptic processing and packaging applicable to the Kroger Company
- Incorporate personnel safety, food safety and regulatory requirements into all solutions
- Maintain an up-to-date awareness of Federal, State, and Local engineering codes and regulations
- Follow established programs, policies and practices to produce safe quality foods that meet regulatory and company requirements
- Support the development, implementation, maintenance, and ongoing improvement of the SQF Systems
- Accountable to the Kroger Manufacturing Food Safety and Quality Principles
- Must be able to perform the essential job functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation
- Travel independently up to 10% as needed
- Must be able to work around ingredients and/or finished products known to contain food allergens
Minimum
- Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering or a related field
- 3+ years of Aseptic dairy process experience
- 6+ years of progressive engineering experience in food/beverage manufacturing and dairy processing
- Strong oral/written communication skills
- Proficient in Microsoft office; adept at project scheduling and spreadsheet
- Experience formulating and executing plans that when complete, met pre-defined project goals
- Demonstrated interpersonal skills with strong grasp of engineering disciplines, plant operations and construction
- Relevant technical expertise and application knowledge of aseptic processing and packaging
Desired
- Experience in the food manufacturing industry with a strong preference for dairy or beverage
- Capital project management >$1MM (pay level - 10)
- Capital project management experience
- Knowledge of other liquid food and beverage processing technologies including extended shelf-life (ESL), ultra clean and hot fill a plus
- Proven experience in food safety, hygienic design, aseptic, beverage, dairy and juice design standards
- Experience with Total Preventative Maintenance (TPM) principles and practices
From one tiny Cincinnati grocery store more than a century ago, we’ve grown into what today is the nation’s largest grocer with nearly 2,800 stores in 35 states operating under 28 different names. As America’s grocer, we take pride in bringing diverse teams with a passion for food and people together with one common purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit. With a history of innovation, we work tirelessly to create amazing experiences for our customers, communities AND each other, with food at the heart of it all.
Here, people matter. That’s why we strive to provide the ingredients you need to create your own recipe for success at work and in life. We help feed your future by providing the value and care you need to grow. If you’re caring, purpose-driven and hungry to learn, your potential is unlimited.
Whether you’re seeking a part-time position or a new career path, we’ve got a fresh opportunity for you. Apply today to become part of our Kroger family!
What you’ll receive from us:
The Kroger Family of Companies offers comprehensive benefits to support your Associate Well-Being, including Physical, Emotional, Financial and more. We'll help you thrive, with access to:
- A wide range of healthcare coverage, including affordable, comprehensive medical, dental, vision and prescription coverage, through company plans or collective bargaining agreement plans.
- Flexible scheduling in full- and part-time roles with paid time off, including holiday and sick pay based on eligibility and length of service.
- Emotional and financial support with free counseling through our Employee Assistance Program and free, confidential financial tools and coaching with Goldman Sachs Ayco.
- Valuable associate discounts on purchases, including food, travel, technology and so much more.
- Up to $21,000 in tuition reimbursement over your career, through our industry-leading Continuing Education program.
- Vast potential for growth, through an abundance of industry-leading training programs and diverse career pathways.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering or related field
- 3+ years of aseptic dairy process experience
- 6+ years progressive engineering experience in food/beverage manufacturing and dairy processing
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office; adept at project scheduling and spreadsheets
- Experience formulating and executing plans that met pre-defined project goals
- Demonstrated interpersonal skills with strong grasp of engineering disciplines, plant operations and construction
- Relevant technical expertise and application knowledge of aseptic processing and packaging
- Ability to travel independently up to 10% as needed
- Must be able to work around ingredients and/or finished products known to contain food allergens
- Experience in the food manufacturing industry, preference for dairy or beverage
- Capital project management experience, preferably >$1MM
- Knowledge of other liquid food and beverage processing technologies (ESL, ultra clean, hot fill)
- Proven experience in food safety, hygienic design, aseptic, beverage, dairy and juice design standards
- Experience with Total Productive/Maintenance (TPM) principles and practices
Kroger Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Kroger and has not been reviewed or approved by Kroger.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage in many union divisions has been protected or improved in recent contracts, with some regions avoiding proposed cuts and others expanding spousal coverage and strengthening short‑term disability. Mental‑health resources and 24/7 access are also emphasized, supported by third‑party recognition in recent years.
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Retirement Support — Retirement options include a company 401(k) with a match and, in many union roles, access to pension or variable annuity plans that have been stabilized through recent agreements. Match levels and pension participation vary by division and role, so specifics require local confirmation.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Education assistance through “Feed Your Future” offers substantial tuition support for both part‑ and full‑time associates, alongside free financial coaching. Perks such as associate discounts and periodic Boost membership offers add incremental value to total rewards.
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The Company
What We Do
At Kroger, we believe no matter who you are or how you like to shop, everyone deserves affordable, easy-to-enjoy, fresh food. This idea is embodied in our simple tagline—Fresh for Everyone™. Kroger ranks as one of the world’s largest retailers. We are nearly half a million associates across 2,800 stores in 35 states operating two dozen grocery retail brands and 34 manufacturing and 44 distribution locations, all dedicated to living our Purpose: to Feed the Human Spirit™. Together, we serve more than 11 million customers daily in our stores and online through convenient e-commerce options like pickup, ship and delivery, serving America through food inspiration and uplift. Customers love Our Brands, including the popular Kroger®, Private Selection® and Simple Truth® brands. Our own manufacturing plants produce many of Our Brands products, including breads, dairy products, meat and thousands of grocery items. We also believe in and are committed to doing our part to create #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025.
