Manufacturing Process Engineer

Vita Coco, the pioneer in coconut water and the #1 selling coconut water in the US, is a passionate, fun-loving brand in one of beverage’s fastest growing and most profitable segments. Beyond its impressive hydration and functional benefits, Vita Coco has built a real following in popular culture with celebrities, professional athletes, top-selling musicians, and many more. This is where you say SIGN ME UP. But we say, slow down cowboy, read the rest.

In a Nutshell, we’re looking for…

A Manufacturing Process Engineer with liquid processing experience in the F&B sector, who will be responsible for providing operations support to strategic co-manufacturing partners, in improving manufacturing performance, supporting troubleshooting and optimizing end to end process, who will collaborate closely to implement innovative and continuous improvement initiatives from a processing perspective. This role, based out of Singapore, will entail about 50% travel, primarily within the APAC region.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Project Management

• Support projects involving new plant installations and lead continuous improvement from a processing .
• Manage overall project timelines in his/her scope and coordinate with the different stakeholders to ensure on-time delivery of projects
• Work closely with co-manufacturing partners to provide technical support during entire project phase

Operations Support

• Provide Technical Support to ensure Quality, Productivity & Costs are optimized
• Assist in plant trouble shooting and in the resolution of manufacturing related issues
• Work closely with co-manufacturing partners and Corporate HQ in executing new package launches and commercialisation of new products
• Ensure that the required Factory SOPs are in place, so that our overall network operations are strengthen and contribute to its development.
• Ensure that our operation requirements are taken to completion, and incorporated in out partners manufacturers working ways.
• Conduct audits of all co-manufacturing facilities to evaluate the manufacturing process and coordinate required follow-up actions
• Work closely with co-manufacturing partners and QA Team to investigate and resolve product quality issues
• Identification of cost savings and optimization opportunities in our co-manufacturing partners, define action plans to execute the actions needed so these are captured.

Process Optimization & Operational Excellence:

• Analyse and optimize processing operations (UHT, pasteurization, blending, homogenization, CIP…).
• Improve OEE, yield, and process efficiency through data-driven analysis.
• Identify process bottlenecks and implement corrective actions.
• Lead root cause analysis (RCA) and troubleshoot processing issues.
• Monitor our partners maintenance plan, contributing to its development and identifying gaps and closely coordinating with supply chain for downtime related requirements.

Innovation and Improvement

• Lead and execute trials with co-manufacturing partners in new process development
• Work together with co-manufacturing partners on product improvements and new product formulations
• Perform technical feasibility and manufacturing audits for potential new manufacturing partners and material suppliers

Sustainability &ESG

• Lead sustainability initiatives resulting on water usage reduction, chemical reduction and energy efficiency
• Contribute to sustainability goals across factories, connected to our overall company objectives.

DESIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Minumum 4 years’ experience in the food manufacturing industry, preferably in beverages
• Familiar with factory manufacturing processes and constraints related to low acid food & aseptic beverage production
• Sound technical knowledge and liquid processing equipment, mechanical P&ID design and strong understanding on manufacturing procedures and sequence requirement.
• Exposed to food quality requirements such as HACCP, GMP and ISO Systems
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, interpersonal skills to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team.
• Willingness to travel around South East Asia region (50%).

Vita Coco® is the brand that started America’s craze for fresh coconut water. Informed consumers, pro-athletes and nutritionists as well as in-the-know celebrities and influencers have all become loyal fans of coconut water, swearing by the Vita Coco brand for its delicious flavor, hydrating properties and replenishment benefits. Award-winning Vita Coco, which counts Madonna, Demi Moore and Matthew McConaughey amongst its investors, is one of the most sought-after products in the beverage aisle.

In the U.S. Vita Coco is sold at over 75,000 retailers including Whole Foods Market, Safeway, Target, GNC, Kroger, Publix, Ralph’s, Stop & Shop/Giant, Costco, select Wal-Mart stores and many chain and independent groceries and retailers. It is also sold in dozens of U.S. airports and university campuses, as well as online at Amazon.com.

Vita Coco was founded in 2004 and is based in New York City, with operations in Europe and Asia.Visit vitacoco.com for more details.