Sr Engineer, Acquired Sugar Portfolio

Ferrara•Chicago, IL

14d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Engineer, Acquired Sugar Portfolio is a pivotal technical role that drives the future of Ferrara’s global sugar brands. You’ll lead end-to-end process development work—translating breakthrough product ideas into scalable, efficient, and reliable manufacturing processes that bring new innovations to life across multiple international markets. In this role, you’ll be hands-on in the pilot plant and on the factory floor, shaping how products move from concept to commercial reality. You’ll take ownership of a diverse and meaningful project portfolio—spanning renovation and innovation initiatives, quality improvements, new technology exploration, network moves, and margin-enhancing process optimizations. Your work will directly influence how Ferrara scales breakthrough ideas, improves manufacturing performance, and ensures our products deliver the taste, texture, and quality consumers love You will report to the Director, R&D – Acquired Sugar Portfolio, and join a collaborative, entrepreneurial team that values curiosity, experimentation, and continuous improvement. This is an exciting opportunity directly influences global expansion and the long-term success of Ferrara’s sugar portfolio. This position is based at our headquarters at the Old Post Office and will require a minimum of 4 days in the office per week.

Requirements

Demonstrated ability to flex workstyle in different cultures, ways of working, and learning environments
Ability to apply scientific knowledge to confectionery technology (including mogul depositing technology).
Experience preparing process design documentation and solution for use in CAPEX requests
Ability to lead both product and process design trials and solutions
Comfortable operating laboratory, pilot plant, and plant equipment
Problem Solving
Critical Thinking
Drive for Results (Can be counted on to exceed goals successfully)
Deals with Ambiguity (Can effectively and comfortably cope with change and shifting of gears)
Attention to Detail
Works well with others and individually
Time management (Uses his/her time effectively and efficiently)
BS, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field, required.
5-10 years’ experience in food industry or related field.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills (bilingual if possible: Spanish preferred)
Strong mathematical skills
Strong computer skills – including Microsoft Office (Word), Spreadsheets, and SAP

Nice To Haves

bilingual if possible: Spanish preferred

Responsibilities

Leads process design and solution for various product development projects, within sugar confectionery, and ingredient applications across a diverse portfolio of sugar processing technologies.
Develops process solutions for new recipes to implement into existing manufacturing processes within global markets and has a demonstrated ability to work across different cultures and ways of working.
Supports the development of product design of experiments on all types of product platforms.
Collaborates within R&D experts, and across functions of Engineering and Manufacturing staff in project execution, technology transfer, and problem solving.
Observes, records, and evaluates experimental process data.
Prepares project reports with demonstrated skills in design of experiment, analysis and conclusions.
Creates process design solutions in preparation for any capital designs and requests.
Brings new ideas on process solutions across the product range for different regions.
Travels, both domestically and internationally (up to 25-40% of job)
Role requires on-site presence up to 5 days a week most weeks.
Ensures adherence to all company policies and procedures.
Understands and demonstrates the Company’s core values.
Performs other duties as assigned.