Process Engineer
About Ingredion:
Join Ingredion, where innovation impacts lives worldwide! Without even realizing it, you’ve experienced our work in your favorite chocolate, your pet’s food, the paper you write on, and your everyday snacks. As a global powerhouse across more than 60 industries, we harness the potential of natural ingredients to transform lives. Whether you’re just starting your career or bringing years of experience, there's a place for you here to make a real difference. Be part of our team that values a wide range of perspectives and is committed to shaping a better world with every product we create.
TITLE: Process Engineer
LOCATION: Salem, OR.
REPORTS TO: Director of Operations
As a Process Engineer , you will partner with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, and Leadership teams to improve plant performance through process optimization, troubleshooting, continuous improvement initiatives, and operational excellence programs. You will leverage engineering principles to improve efficiency, reliability, product quality, yield, and cost performance while supporting a safe and sustainable manufacturing environment.
This position supports a food manufacturing facility specializing in fruit and vegetable processing operations and requires a hands-on engineering professional who is comfortable working on the production floor, solving technical challenges, and driving sustainable process improvements.
What you will do:
Process Optimization & Continuous Improvement
Lead process optimization initiatives to improve safety, quality, productivity, yield, and cost performance.
Analyze process data and operating trends to identify opportunities for operational improvements.
Troubleshoot manufacturing processes and equipment to resolve recurring operational challenges.
Develop and maintain key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor process performance.
Conduct root cause analyses and implement corrective actions to improve reliability and reduce process variation.
Lead continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing principles and Ingredion Performance System (IPS) methodologies.
Identify opportunities to reduce waste, increase throughput, improve yields, and optimize resource utilization.
Support Value Stream Mapping, 5S, and other operational excellence programs.
Operations & Technical Support
Provide technical support to Operations and Maintenance teams through process studies, troubleshooting, and process improvement projects.
Monitor and optimize manufacturing systems, utilities, and process equipment.
Maintain and analyze historical process data to identify trends and drive decision-making.
Develop, update, and maintain operating procedures and technical documentation.
Train and coach plant personnel on process improvements, operating standards, and best practices.
Support Management of Change (MOC) activities and ensure proper implementation of process modifications.
Engineering & Capital Projects
Lead and execute capital and process improvement projects up to $5 million.
Develop project scopes, budgets, schedules, and technical specifications.
Coordinate contractors, consultants, operations teams, and stakeholders throughout project execution.
Ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with Ingredion engineering standards.
Support development and execution of the site's capital improvement plan.
Ensure completed projects achieve intended design objectives and operational performance targets.
Safety, Quality & Compliance
Support facility safety initiatives through engineering design improvements and risk reduction activities.
Promote a strong safety culture and support Ingredion's goal of achieving an injury-free workplace.
Ensure compliance with GMP, Food Safety, Environmental, and Regulatory requirements.
Represent plant operations during customer audits and third-party assessments.
Support Ingredion's Sustainability and Safety initiatives and long-term…