Food Processing Engineer / Continuous Improvement Specialist

PastryStar•Laurel, MD

18h•$55,000 - $65,000

About The Position

We are seeking a hands-on, detail-oriented Food Processing Engineer / Continuous Improvement Specialist to support our pastry manufacturing operations and future growth. This role is responsible for leading manufacturing improvement initiatives, supporting the project management of a new manufacturing plant buildout, documenting production processes, assisting with machine selection and installation, and strengthening operational efficiency across kettle, powder mixer, and related production equipment. The ideal candidate has strong manufacturing experience, technical problem-solving skills, and the ability to work cross-functionally with production, quality assurance, maintenance, warehouse, R&D, and leadership teams to improve safety, quality, consistency, and GMP compliance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or master's degree in industrial engineering or food processing engineering or a related field preferred; equivalent hands-on manufacturing experience may be considered.
Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in food manufacturing, process engineering, continuous improvement, production operations, or a similar manufacturing role preferred.
Experience working in bakery, pastry, ingredient manufacturing, food processing, or a regulated GMP manufacturing environment is highly desirable.
Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, production equipment, process flow, quality standards, food safety practices, and operational efficiency principles.
Knowledge of GMP requirements, sanitation practices, food safety standards, and quality documentation within a food production environment.
Demonstrated ability to document processes, develop SOPs, create training materials, and standardize work instructions for manufacturing teams.
Experience with equipment selection, installation support, commissioning, troubleshooting, or plant start-up projects is a plus.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, timelines, vendors, and cross-functional assignments.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office; experience with ERP systems, production reporting tools, Power BI, CAD/layout tools, or data analysis platforms is a plus.

Responsibilities

Support the planning, coordination, and project management of the company’s new manufacturing plant buildout, including timelines, vendor coordination, equipment needs, production flow, and operational readiness.
Document, standardize, and improve manufacturing processes, work instructions, SOPs, and training materials for pastry ingredient production, including kettle and powder mixer operations.
Assist with evaluating, selecting, installing, testing, and validating production equipment, machinery, and process improvements to support efficient and scalable manufacturing operations.
Master the operation, training requirements, and process controls for kettle systems, powder mixer equipment, and other key production machinery.
Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing waste, improving production flow, increasing efficiency, improving changeover processes, and strengthening product consistency.
Collaborate with the Quality Assurance department to ensure GMP procedures, sanitation expectations, food safety standards, and quality requirements are understood, documented, followed, and reinforced on the production floor.
Partner with production and maintenance teams to troubleshoot equipment, process, and workflow issues and recommend practical solutions that improve uptime, productivity, and employee safety.
Analyze production data, downtime, labor utilization, yields, batch records, and process performance to identify trends, root causes, and measurable improvement opportunities.
Develop visual management tools, dashboards, checklists, and reporting methods to improve communication, accountability, and operational visibility across manufacturing teams.
Train, coach, and support employees on updated processes, equipment use, standard work, safety practices, GMP expectations, and continuous improvement methods.
Support layout planning, workflow design, capacity planning, and process flow improvements for current operations and future facility expansion.
Participate in cross-functional projects involving operations, QA, R&D, maintenance, warehouse, purchasing, and leadership to implement sustainable process improvements.
Assist with equipment trials, new product scale-up, process validation, and production readiness activities for new or revised products.
Promote a culture of continuous improvement by identifying practical opportunities for automation, workflow simplification, cost reduction, and stronger process controls.
Maintain organized project documentation, process records, equipment information, training records, and improvement tracking tools.
Provide support to management with special projects, operational initiatives, and facility improvement assignments as needed.