Process Engineer

Job Summary:

At SunOpta we believe that excellence and innovation in process technology can fundamentally change the trajectory of our company and enable competitive advantage.  This position will report to the Director of R&D.  This position will be responsible for leading or supporting various new Process Development, Continuous Improvement, Process Standardization and Productivity Projects.

Process Research and Development

Working very closely with SunOpta’s R&D Scientists, QA and Operations team, the successful candidate will lead and execute strategy for SunOpta’s processing technologies for plant-based ingredients, plant-based fruit-snacks, and aseptically packaged consumer products.  The successful candidate will have demonstrated mastery of process design and improvement for food and beverage related and agricultural products. In addition, the successful candidate will develop and maintain an external network with relevant industry and academic experts to gain early insight and access to high impact process technologies.

Essential Functions of the Job:

• Provide expertise and collaborate with R&D Scientists and Technologist during product development process from benchtop/pilot scale into a full commercialized production.
• Execution and completion of process development projects enabling advantaged product and ingredient manufacture.
• Improvement of current process line profitability included line automation, instrumentation and optimization.
• Establish standards for product/machine and instrumentation capability and their impact on specifications.

• Provide technical support to operation plants, including development and execution of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and technical assistance to Operations for problem solving, optimization and training. 
• Provide expertise in machine-material interface to the R&D product development teams to ensure successful scale-up and commercialization in plant-based beverage and fruit snacks manufacturing systems.  Lead or assist, as appropriate, with commercial trials and start-ups.
• Responsible for creation of batch sheets and maintenance of process specifications for Plant Based Food and Beverage operations.
• Effectively communicate project status to cross-functional team and senior leadership.
• Partner with Capital Engineering on oversight of Commissioning/Qualification/Verification (CQV) process associated with capital expenditure projects.
• Effectively navigate complexity, manage numerous projects, and prioritize them accordingly.
• Ability to travel to our manufacturing facility or suppliers as needed.
• All other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors and/or graduate degree in Chemical, Mechanical, Biological or Food Engineering or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 2-3 years of industry experience in food or agricultural product processing
• Relevant production and/or engineering experience in a manufacturing environment
• Knowledge of plant operations
• Understanding of business financial data - plants, products, and other supply chain operations

Preferred Qualifications:

• Aseptic beverage manufacturing, thermal processing and filling systems and associated unit operations
• Experience in food & beverage pasteurization/sterilization and associated unit-operations.
• Design of processes for the physical and bioconversion of foods stuffs such as wet milling, extraction, separation, aseptic processes
• Knowledge and experience with Continuous Improvement (Lean) principles and tools

Knowledge and Skills:

• Intellectually curious with an inherent drive to understand phenomena at a fundamental level
• Strong written and oral communication

• Demonstrated ability to solve difficult and complicated technical problems
• Ability to lead cross-functional projects and teams

Additional Considerations:

• Travel Expectation: Estimated 20-40% is required to SunOpta or partner locations and for meetings or other job-related functions.
• This position will be at our Eden Prairie, MN location.
• Relocation or international remote working arrangements (outside of the US) will not be considered.

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

Approximately 70% of work is performed in an office environment. 30% of work may involve being in the pilot plant or manufacturing environment.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

EOE M/W/VET/DISABLED