Process Engineer

About the role

The Process Engineer will play a critical role in driving operational excellence at the Minden, NV, manufacturing site. This position is responsible for evaluating, optimizing, and transforming key production processes to improve safety, quality, efficiency, and cost performance, with a strong focus on liquid processes such as blending, filtration, Clean-in-Place and HTST Processes. In addition to leading process control and improvement initiatives, the role manages capital projects that enhance process capability, automation, and workplace safety.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Evaluate and improve key manufacturing processes—including blending, CIP, Thermal Treatment and packaging—using sound engineering principles and data-driven analysis.
• Audit current and emerging technologies to identify opportunities for process enhancement, automation, and cost reduction.
• Develop and maintain P&IDs for existing and evolving processes.
• Lead projects from concept through capital proposal, approval, installation, and implementation.
• Build robust business cases in partnership with Finance and cross-functional stakeholders, including cost-benefit analyses and ROI justification.
• Ensure all engineering solutions meet the highest standards of process safety, occupational safety, and sanitary design.
• Manage internal and external resources to deliver projects on time and within budget.
• Lead all Process Safety activities for the Site, including PHR, LOPA and HCA analysis for all process safety critical equipment.
• Collaborate closely with the Global Process Safety Team to develop a Process Safety roadmap to evaluate and enhance process safety systems and standards.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, quality assurance, and regulatory requirements across all process improvements.
• Lead commissioning, qualification, and startup of new equipment and processes.
• Conduct rigorous process and equipment trials, documenting results and ensuring readiness for full-scale operation.
• Establish and maintain systems for ongoing process performance evaluation, reporting, and optimization.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives aligned with World Class Manufacturing principles.
• Manage change control processes, ensuring traceability, documentation, and verification of expected vs. actual benefits.
• Partner with Commercialization, R&D and NPD teams to translate concepts into scalable, efficient, and sustainable manufacturing solutions.
• Partner with the sustainability team to support the Finlays Global Sustainability Roadmap.
• Provide engineering expertise to internal teams and external business partners.
• Review new and existing packaging formats to ensure compliance with food safety and quality standards.
• Build a strong knowledge base and network to serve as a subject matter expert.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, process engineering, or a related discipline; broad applied experience across chemical, mechanical, and process engineering.
• 3 – 5 Years of practical experience working in a production environment in Food & Beverage, CPG, or related sectors.
• Experience with World Class Manufacturing, Lean, or similar methodologies, with a proven track record of driving measurable change.
• Technical experience with high-speed packaging lines, thermal processing systems, blending systems, and CIP systems.
• Demonstrated experience with Process Safety Processes such as PHR, HAC and LOPA.
• Demonstrated competence in Safety Management within continuous processing and packaged goods environments.
• Strong understanding of Quality Assurance systems and GMP environments, preferably within the food and beverage industry.
• Proficiency in MS Office, AutoCAD, and MS Project.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; fluency in English required.