Senior Engineer Process Innovation

Kellanova•Chicago, IL

2d•$108,160 - $142,000

About The Position

The Senior Engineer Process Innovation plays a key role within Mars Snacking’s Accelerator business, supporting the Rice Krispies Treats® portfolio in Tasty & Wholesome. Reporting to the R&D Senior Technical Manager, Tasty & Wholesome RKT, this role leads large and complex food processes and technical developments for innovation, renovation, network optimization, and cost-saving projects. The position is based in either Chicago, Illinois, or Battle Creek, Michigan, and involves an estimated 35–50% travel, which may include global travel. The role leads process development, scale-up, and implementation from concept through commercialization; provides technical leadership to address complex challenges and advance technologies; and enables successful deployment through process specifications, validation plans, technical standards, and clear documentation and communications. It also identifies process gaps and emerging technologies, applies experimentation and data analysis to improve process performance and manage technical risks, and builds engineering capability by mentoring junior engineers and sharing best practices.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Food Engineering, Food Science, or a related field, with relevant technical experience at a CPG company.
In-depth understanding of process technology, equipment, and systems.
Significant experience independently leading and managing multiple projects focused on operations and scale-up in manufacturing plants.
Significant related work experience, including experience managing innovation, renovation, network optimization, and cost-saving projects.
Strong knowledge of SAP, Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote.
Strong time-management, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to multitask.
Excellent communication skills and the ability to influence and partner with leaders and cross-functional business partners.
Permanent legal authorization to work in the United States; employment visa sponsorship is not provided.

Nice To Haves

Cereal process experience.

Responsibilities

Lead development, scale-up, and implementation of robust, scalable process solutions from concept through commercialization.
Apply engineering and process expertise to solve complex challenges, advance new technologies, and accelerate innovation across R&D, Engineering, Manufacturing, and external partners.
Develop process specifications, validation plans, and technical standards, and provide documentation and communications to support successful implementation.
Identify process gaps, emerging technologies, and innovation opportunities to strengthen future manufacturing capabilities.
Use experimentation, data analysis, and structured problem-solving to improve process performance, reliability, and quality, and manage technical risk.
Mentor junior engineers, share best practices, and use technical networks to strengthen process engineering capability across teams and sites.
Lead large and complex food processes and technical developments for innovation, renovation, network optimization, and cost-saving projects.