R&D Process Engineer

Do you love snacks? Are you looking to join an ever evolving and rapidly growing team? PIM Brands might just be exactly what you’re looking for!

At PIM, We Make The Brands You Love®. Our portfolio of products, from Welch’s® Fruit Snacks to Sun-Maid® Chocolate Raisins and Sour Jacks® Sour Candies are enjoyed by millions of consumers every day. And when it comes to careers, we seek talented, results-oriented individuals who want to play a part in building amazing brands and products while working in a collaborative, dynamic, and fast-paced office environment. At PIM, you can make an immediate and lasting contribution to help grow iconic snack and confectionery brands, no matter your area of expertise.

We are looking for a Process Engineer interested in a career with a top ranked and growing snack company, to join our R&D department at PIM’s Somerset site, New Jersey. This position will report to our Manager, Product Development & Processing, Research and Development.

Job overview

• Works within the parameters of manufacturing and personnel to develop or improve the processes to improve efficiency and/or decrease costs
• Responsible for the overall process design and measures for the improvement of manufacturing
• Formulates manufacturing processes for new products and works closely with Research and Development to scale up processes from the laboratory to production
• Works to improve the present manufacturing or production processes to boost productivity, quality and profitability
• This position interacts with production, engineering, QA/QC and plant management 
• Complies with GMP and HAACP guidelines to ensure food safety
• Operates within given SOP parameters that ensure desired food quality results and maintain customer specification requirements

Duties and Responsibilities

• Works closely with R&D, marketing and other functions to formulate a manufacturing process for new products
• Conduct trials for new products, to change/modify existing products or when new equipment is introduced
• Report food safety and quality issues to Plant management and SQFP
• Follow PIM Brands GMP rules
• Monitor fellow employees for adherence to GMP’s.
• Scale up products from the R&D phase to production
• Work closely with plant and production management as well as engineering to develop a cost effective and efficient production process
• Establish detailed specifications for the production of all products
• Conduct tests on systems for efficiency and accuracy to obtain a quality product and cost effective process
• Improve the present manufacturing or production processes to boost productivity, quality and profitability
• Implement the transition of new technology
• Identify and/or address process problems or product problems which can be related to the production process
• Collect, interpret and analyze data to look for optimal results and outcomes
• Develop new processes and formulations
• Conduct process development trials to scale in the laboratory
• Work with R&D to scale up products to the production process
• Support conversion of small-scale processes into commercially viable large scale operation
• Monitor modifications and upgrades, and troubleshoot existing processes
• Work with engineering on equipment needs and sourcing
• Work closely with product when processes are finalized and approved for implementation to ensure the complete understanding is achieved (turnover to production)
• Optimize all processes for desired results
• Prepare reports, flow diagrams and charts
• Ability to work additional hours as needed

Education, Experience and Training

• Bachelor of Science degree in an engineering field is strongly preferred
• Advanced degree in food science desired
• Product development in a food manufacturing plant or setting needed
• Excellent oral and written communication skills required, bi-lingual (English/Spanish) is a plus
• Ability to deliver professional and effective presentations to management and staff is essential
• Computer proficiency in office software required
• Must possess strong analytical, problem solving skills along with sound judgment
• Statistical process control and quality systems experience required
• Ability to anticipate as well as avoid potential problems based on prior experiences and knowledge of manufacturing and quality systems
• Ability to work flexible hours when needed
• Willing to be trained on other aspects of the business

Worksite:  

• The PIM Brands Manufacturing Site is located in Somerset, New Jersey 
• The PIM Brands Manufacturing Site is operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 
• This position requires working onsite.  

We are proud to offer:  

• Total compensation package including bonus, 401(k) plan match and other incentives (*based on eligibility and position) 
• Comprehensive benefits package - EFFECTIVE DAY 1, Including medical, dental, vision, disability, insurance plans and much more 
• Diverse range of benefit choices tailored to support you in making optimal decisions for yourself, your loved ones, and your preferred way of life  
• Personal time off, vacation time, floating days and observed holidays 
• Business casual dress  
• Entrepreneurial and innovative culture offering the opportunity for internal career advancement.  

Awards & Accolades:  

• #10 Candy Company in North America 
• #26 Global Candy Company  
• Makers of Welch’s - #1 Fruit Snack in U.S.  
• 2024 Advocate of the Year Award  
• Recognized by NJBIA - State-of-the-Art Manufacturing Facility and in Research/Development 2024  
• Recognized by New Jersey Business Magazine 2024 
• Top 100 Privately Owned Company in the Metro NYC Market  
• Top 50 Employer in New Jersey 

PIM Brands is an Equal Opportunity Employer 

PIM Brands is an e-Verify Employer