Perfetti Van Melle is looking for a Process Engineer to improve how we make our products from initial trials to full-scale production. You'll focus on developing new processes, scaling up new products, and optimizing manufacturing lines to run more efficiently with less waste.
What You'll Do
- Lead product and process development from trials to factory production, ensuring products meet performance, quality, and cost goals.
- Plan and run product trials, analyze data, and share clear recommendations based on results.
- Commission and validate new equipment, working with Engineering and suppliers to ensure installations meet performance standards.
- Improve production performance by increasing line efficiency, reducing waste, and boosting equipment reliability.
- Work with suppliers to qualify ingredients, identify alternatives, and reduce material or sourcing risks.
- Partner with Quality and Regulatory to ensure recipes meet all food safety and labeling requirements.
- Translate data and results into reliable processes and set clear product quality limits that match production capabilities.
- Support troubleshooting efforts in the plant when production issues arise.
- Coach and develop plant colleagues to build technical capability and assist with onboarding new employees.
- Share insights and influence decisions by explaining technical results and business impact to cross-functional partners.
What We're Looking For
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, or a related field.
- 5–10+ years of experience in process or product engineering, preferably in food or consumer goods manufacturing.
- Hands-on experience with equipment commissioning, system optimization, and continuous improvement tools like SPC and data analysis.
- Working knowledge of ingredient functionality and food manufacturing standards such as GMP, sanitation, and regulatory requirements.
- Skilled in Excel, PowerPoint, Project, and Teams.
- Strong communicator with proven ability to lead projects, collaborate across teams, and deliver results under tight timelines.
- Professional, proactive, and solution-oriented; comfortable balancing strategic and hands-on work.
- Curious, analytical, and driven to improve processes.
- Able to travel as needed and lift up to 50 lbs.
Nice to Have
- Certifications such as CFS, HACCP, or CI are a plus.
Team & Environment
Work closely with R&D, Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Regulatory, and Marketing teams, both in the U.S. and globally.
Benefits & Compensation
- Compensation: $85,000-105,000 per year.
- PTO package including vacation, sick, personal, and pay it forward time off.
- 13 paid holidays.
- 401k with Company Match up to 8%.
- Annual Bonus potential and merit-based increases.
- Comprehensive Health Insurance.
- Annual well-being subsidy.
- 20 weeks Maternity & 12 weeks Paternity leave options.
- Sam's Club or Costco annual membership reimbursement.
- Tuition-Free College Program or Free Continued Education (BA, Masters, etc.).
- Modest monthly candy allotment (Airheads, Airheads Xtremes, and Mentos).
Work Mode
This is an onsite position located in Rockford.
Perfetti Van Melle, USA is an equal opportunity/non-discrimination employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
