Pilot-Plant Manager

Louisiana State University

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Pilot-Plant Manager position’s primary purpose is to lead pilot-scale food processing, integrating engineering expertise with applied research to develop scalable solutions, to oversee equipment, utilities, and facility operations while supporting client projects, ensuring regulatory compliance, and collaborating across teams to drive commercialization and innovation. This position reports to the Director of Food Innovation Institute (FOODii).

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in food engineering, Chemical or Mechanical Engineering or a related field or equivalent and 3 years of professional experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing pilot-scale manufacturing facility, or shared research facilities.
• Strong leadership, project management, and customer-facing communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and oversight for all pilot plant equipment, systems, and facility infrastructure.
• Ensure proper development, implementation, and continuous improvement of operating procedures and training protocols for all processing and analytical systems.
• Oversee equipment maintenance, troubleshooting, and lifecycle management, including coordination of repairs, preventive maintenance, and installation of new systems.
• Collaborate with the Director to design and implement effective sanitation, cleaning, and hygienic process systems that align with food safety and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain pilot plant orderliness and operational readiness.
• Oversee utility systems including steam, compressed air, chilled water, and HVAC in coordination with LSU AgCenter facilities to ensure reliable and safe plant operations.
• Actively set up, operate, monitor, and troubleshoot pilot-scale food processing and laboratory equipment during client and research trials.
• Lead and participate in production runs, ensuring adherence to safety, quality, and experimental protocols.
• Perform equipment adjustments, minor repairs, cleaning, and sanitation as needed to maintain operational integrity.
• Support other project leaders by assisting with plant trials and ensuring efficient workflow and resource utilization.
• Maintain a strong hands-on presence in the plant to ensure reliable execution of processing activities and continuous improvement of operational performance.
• Coordinate and collaborate with faculty, extension specialists, technical staff, students, and industry clients to achieve project objectives.
• Provide technical guidance on process feasibility, scale-up considerations, and equipment capabilities in support of commercialization and research initiatives.
• Support maintenance of pilot processing documentation and operational records.
• Identify and advance opportunities to enhance FOODii technical capabilities, equipment portfolio, facility infrastructure, and service offerings.
• Evaluate emerging processing technologies, instrumentation, and manufacturing approaches to strengthen applied research and commercialization outcomes.
• Recommend process improvements and workflow efficiencies that enhance safety, quality, client satisfaction, and operational sustainability.

Benefits

• Retirement
• Multiple medical insurance options
• Supplemental insurances (dental, life, long-term disability, accident, vision, long-term care, etc.)
• Tax Saver Flexible Benefits Plan (saves tax dollars on some childcare and medical expenses)
• University holidays (14 per year)
• Generous annual (vacation) and sick leave benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Possible educational leave and tuition exemption for coursework at campuses of the LSU System

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level