Process Engineer, Spray Drying

TreeHouse Foods is a leading manufacturer of private label packaged foods and beverages, operating a network of over 20 production facilities and several corporate offices across the United States and Canada. We are investing in talent and creating a performance-based culture where employees can develop their careers while making high-quality, affordable food for our customers, communities, and families.

About the Role

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.

• 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.

This is a full-time, on-site role on First Shift. Occasional flexibility is required to support alternate shifts.

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

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and benefits program with no waiting period – you’re eligible from your first day.
• 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 invested in supporting your accelerated career growth, plus paid training, tuition reimbursement, and a robust educational platform – DevelopU – with more than 10,000 free courses.
• An inclusive working environment with opportunities to build meaningful work relationships and join Employee Resource Groups.
• Access to wellness and employee assistance programs.

Pay

The anticipated compensation for this position ranges from $86,100.00 to $129,000.00 USD annually. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, shift, travel requirements, sales or revenue-based metrics, and business or organizational needs. For certain roles, the successful candidate may be eligible for annual discretionary merit compensation award, bonus, and equity pay.