Process Engineer, Spray Drying

TreeHouse Foods • Wayland, MI

5d • $86,100 - $129,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Join our team at TreeHouse Foods' non-dairy creamer manufacturing facility in Wayland, Michigan. As a Process Engineer, Spray Drying, you will provide technical process engineering support for spray drying operations, partnering closely with Operations, Engineering, EH&S, Maintenance, and Food Safety & Quality teams to optimize process performance, improve yield and throughput, reduce process variation, troubleshoot technical challenges, and implement sustainable process improvements that enhance safety, quality, reliability, and operational efficiency.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Process Engineering, or related technical field.
• Minimum 4 years of food manufacturing process engineering experience.
• Strong understanding of data-driven process optimization, heat and mass transfer, process control, psychometrics, drying processes, agglomeration, bulk powder processing, and manufacturing systems.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex technical and operational issues related to spray drying, including particle size distribution, product sticking, nozzle plugging, and moisture variability in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading cross-functional projects and influencing teams without direct authority.
• Experience supporting capital projects, equipment installations, and process improvements.
• Ability and willingness to travel between assigned manufacturing locations as business needs require.

Nice To Haves

• 2+ years of direct spray drying experience strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the technical subject matter expert for spray drying operations and related manufacturing processes.
• Partners with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, EH&S, and FSQ to troubleshoot process issues and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Develops, validates, and standardizes process parameters, operating procedures, and best practices.
• Leads root cause investigations related to process variation, product quality, equipment performance, waste, and downtime.
• Drives improvements in process capability, first-pass quality, reliability, throughput, yield optimization, energy efficiency, and OEE.
• Supports capital projects, equipment modifications, process trials, and start-up activities to improve safety, quality, capacity, and cost performance.
• Partners with FSQ and EH&S to ensure compliance with food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Supports product commercialization, plant trials, commissioning, process validation, and scale-up activities.
• Coaches' operations teams on process fundamentals, troubleshooting, and standard work.
• Leads structured problem-solving efforts using data-driven methodologies and continuous improvement tools.
• Shares best practices across both spray drying facilities and supports replication of successful improvements.
• Travels to the secondary site as required to support operations, projects, and technical initiatives.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and benefits program with no waiting period
• 401(k) program with 5% employer match and 100% vesting as soon as you enroll
• Comprehensive paid time off opportunities, including immediate access to four weeks of vacation, five sick days, parental leave and 11 company holidays (including two floating holidays)
• Leaders who are invested in supporting your accelerated career growth
• Paid training
• Tuition reimbursement
• Robust educational platform – DevelopU – with more than 10,000 free courses
• Inclusive working environment
• Opportunities to build on our team-oriented culture, such as joining one of our Employee Resource Groups
• Access to our wellness and employee assistance programs

What This Job Offers

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