Process Engineering Lead

J&J Snack Foods•La Vergne, TN

6d•$120,000 - $130,000

About The Position

As a leader and innovator in the snack food industry for over 50 years, J&J Snack Foods provides branded snack foods to foodservice and retail supermarket outlets across the U.S. Its products include such icons as SUPERPRETZEL, ICEE, and Dippin’ Dots along with other key brands like LUIGI’S Real Italian Ice, The Funnel Cake Factory Funnel Cakes, and Hola Churros. J&J also has a strong presence in bakery providing cakes, cookies, and pies to some of the largest grocery and convenience retailers in industry. Our company continues to deliver record sales led by a talented team and a commitment to “Fun Served Here”. POSITION SUMMARY: Reporting to the VP of Engineering, the Process Engineering Lead is responsible for leading process design, commercialization, and continuous improvement initiatives across bakery manufacturing operations. Leveraging deep expertise in dough systems, thermal processing, and high-speed production, this role ensures the successful scale-up of new products while optimizing efficiency, yield, and quality. The Process Engineering Lead partners closely with cross-functional teams to translate product innovation into reliable, high-performing manufacturing processes and leads capital projects from concept through startup to support business growth.

Requirements

Strong business acumen, with the ability to connect process improvements to cost, yield, and product quality outcomes.
Proven ability to optimize processes, improve yield, and ensure product quality and consistency.
Experience launching new products and translating formulations into scalable production.
Knowledge of capital project execution, including process design, equipment selection, and line startups.
Strong problem-solving skills, including root cause analysis and data-driven process improvement.
Ability to influence plant leadership and drive sustainable operational change.
Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Mechanical, Food, or related Engineering field.
Five (5)+ years of progressive experience in commercial bakery or thermal food manufacturing.
Strong knowledge of dough rheology, fermentation, baking science, and moisture control.
Experience with high-speed automated production lines and packaging systems.
Proven experience leading capital projects collaborating cross-functionally.
Solid understanding of GMPs, HACCP, sanitary design, and food safety standards.
Experience with PLC systems (Allen Bradley preferred) and manufacturing automation.

Nice To Haves

Lean / Six Sigma certification

Responsibilities

Leads the transition of bakery products from pilot to full-scale production, encompassing mixing, proofing, forming, baking, cooling, slicing, and packaging operations.
Collaborates cross-functionally with R&D and Quality to ensure formulations are optimized for manufacturability, consistency, and food safety.
Establishes, validates, and documents critical process parameters, including mix times, hydration levels, fermentation profiles, oven curves, and moisture targets.
Drives and supports plant trials and the successful launch of new products and line extensions, ensuring seamless transition to production.
Leads process design for bakery capital projects, including PFDs, P&IDs, line layouts, equipment specifications, and cost estimates.
Specifies and implements bakery equipment such as mixers, dividers, proofers, tunnel ovens, conveyors, cooling systems, and packaging lines.
Oversees installation, commissioning, validation, and startup of new production lines and system upgrades.
Collaborates with contractors and vendors to deliver projects safely, on time, and within budget.
Drives improvements in yield, scrap reduction, downtime, and overall throughput.
Leads root cause analysis for bakery-specific issues, including crumb structure, moisture variation, bake profile inconsistencies, and equipment reliability.
Applies statistical tools, such as DOE and SPC, to improve process capability and consistency.
Champions Lean and Six Sigma initiatives across production lines.
Provides engineering support for bakery utilities, including steam systems, ammonia refrigeration, compressed air, chilled water, and electrical infrastructure.
Supports optimization of thermal systems, including oven performance, heat transfer efficiency, and energy utilization.
Contributes to the development and improvement of preventive maintenance practices and process control systems, including PLC-based automation.
Performs other duties and special projects as assigned by the VP of Engineering.