Senior Process Engineer

Senior Process Engineer – Dairy / Food Manufacturing Location: Monett, MO Relocation Assistance Available We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Process Engineer to play a critical role in optimizing and advancing manufacturing processes within a high-volume, regulated food production environment. This individual will serve as a technical leader, driving process efficiency, improving product quality, and ensuring safe, reliable, and cost-effective operations.

This is a hands-on role requiring strong plant-floor engagement, deep expertise in fluid processing systems, and the ability to influence cross-functional teams to deliver measurable results.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a subject matter expert in fluid-based processing systems, supporting daily manufacturing operations and troubleshooting complex process issues
• Evaluate and optimize existing processes to improve throughput, yield, cycle time, and overall equipment effectiveness
• Lead initiatives to reduce waste, eliminate bottlenecks, and enhance process capability and consistency
• Design and implement process improvements while maintaining strict adherence to food safety and quality standards
• Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, and Supply Chain to drive continuous improvement efforts
• Support and lead capital projects, including equipment upgrades, new installations, and commissioning activities
• Conduct process capability and statistical analysis to monitor performance and predict trends
• Develop and maintain process documentation, including P&IDs, SOPs, and control strategies
• Ensure compliance with food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements, including HACCP, GMP, and internal standards
• Perform and support risk assessments and process safety initiatives (e.g., FMEA, HAZOP)

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, or related field
• 8+ years of experience in food, beverage, or other regulated manufacturing environments
• Strong expertise in liquid/food processing systems, including heat treatment, filtration, blending, and CIP processes
• Proven experience in process optimization, continuous improvement, and root cause analysis
• Hands-on experience with process design tools, including P&IDs and control systems (e.g., PID loops)
• Demonstrated success supporting or leading capital projects from concept through implementation
• In-depth knowledge of food safety and quality systems (HACCP, GMP, QMS)
• Experience with process safety methodologies (FMEA, HAZOP, OSHA standards)
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to leverage data to drive decisions and improvements

What Sets You Apart

• Direct experience in dairy or aseptic processing environments
• Professional Engineer (PE) license
• Strong ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive change in a plant setting
• A hands-on, solutions-oriented mindset with a focus on continuous improvement and operational excellence

Position Overview This role is ideal for a plant-focused engineering leader who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and is passionate about improving processes, enhancing product quality, and driving operational performance through technical excellence and collaboration.