Thermal Process Specialist

Actalent is seeking a Thermal Process Specialist to serve as the technical expert for retort operations across two manufacturing facilities in Janesville, WI. This is a Contract to Hire position.

About the role

The Thermal Process Specialist oversees the thermal processing program for 24 large cooking and sterilization units, ensuring food safety, regulatory compliance, and process reliability. This role focuses on technical oversight rather than equipment operation, including investigating process deviations, reviewing batch documentation, and supporting troubleshooting. The specialist acts as a liaison between operations, maintenance, research and development, and leadership, while also partnering with R&D on new product initiatives through thermal process testing and data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the thermal processing program for 24 retorts to ensure consistent, reliable, and safe operation across two manufacturing facilities.
• Investigate and resolve process deviations, identifying root causes and implementing corrective and preventive actions to maintain food safety and regulatory compliance.
• Review and approve batch documentation to confirm that processing parameters meet internal standards and external regulatory requirements.
• Support equipment and process troubleshooting, working closely with maintenance and operations teams to optimize retort performance and minimize downtime.
• Act as a key liaison between operations, maintenance, research and development, and leadership to align thermal processing practices with business and production goals.
• Conduct thermal process testing for new and existing products, including developing test plans, executing trials, and collecting process data.
• Analyze thermal processing data to establish validated processing parameters and ensure proper sterilization and product quality for commercial production.
• Collaborate with research and development on new product development and commercialization, providing thermal process expertise to scale formulations from pilot to full production.
• Ensure all thermal processing activities adhere to food safety standards, regulatory guidelines, and internal quality systems.
• Continuously monitor and improve thermal systems and procedures, leveraging thermal engineering and analysis techniques to enhance process efficiency and reliability.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Better Process Control School (BPCS) certification or an equivalent thermal processing certification.
• Proven experience working with retort systems and thermal processing operations in a production environment.
• Strong understanding of thermal systems, thermal engineering, and thermal analysis as applied to food processing and sterilization.
• Demonstrated knowledge of food safety principles related to thermal processing and retorted products.
• Ability to investigate process deviations, interpret processing data, and make sound technical decisions to maintain compliance and product safety.
• Experience supporting equipment and process troubleshooting in collaboration with operations and maintenance teams.
• Effective communication skills to serve as a liaison between cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Experience in research and development or new product commercialization, particularly in scaling thermal processes from pilot to full production.
• Familiarity with retort validation, process documentation, and regulatory requirements for thermally processed foods.
• Ability to collaborate cross-functionally and influence process improvements in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong analytical skills for evaluating thermal process data and optimizing processing parameters.

Work Environment

This role is based on the production floor across two manufacturing plants and involves regular presence in a food manufacturing environment with large retort cooking and sterilization equipment. The position follows a Monday–Friday, first-shift schedule, typically from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM or 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with occasional flexibility as needed to support production and testing activities. The work environment requires close collaboration with operations, maintenance, and research and development teams, and may involve working around heat, steam, and standard production-floor conditions while adhering to all facility safety and hygiene protocols.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $31.25 - $31.25/hr.

Benefits

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital coverage.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available.
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents).
• Short- and long-term disability.
• Health Spending Account (HSA).
• Transportation benefits.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation, or Sick Leave).

Schedule

This role follows a Monday–Friday, first-shift schedule, typically from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM or 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with occasional flexibility as needed.