Process Engineer

Process Engineer – Froneri (Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream)

We are excited to partner with Froneri – a global pure‑play ice‑cream leader – to accelerate growth and bring new ice‑cream brands to market. This role blends project management and process engineering at our plants to support new product launches, line startups, and continuous improvement.

This position manages product‑related trials, new production line startups, and other factory projects, acting as end‑to‑end project manager, operational startup lead, or technical lead as required. The engineer works cross‑functionally with factory teams and corporate colleagues to deliver high‑quality, safe, and efficient products.

• Define scope, objectives, and expectations with the Project Manager.
• Identify resource requirements and raise constraints.
• Build and manage project schedules, define critical paths, track activities, and report status.
• Develop risk plans and identify preventative measures.
• Coordinate project meetings: kick‑offs, status, risk, lessons learned.
• Confirm equipment and machinery meet customer specifications, quality, and food‑safety standards.
• Ensure health and safety compliance and promote a positive safety culture.
• Control costs to keep projects within budget.
• Communicate regularly with the entire team via meetings, memos, and briefings.
• Support operational issues and projects as needed.
• Develop and transfer knowledge of ice‑cream manufacturing and processing to cross‑functional teams.
• Maintain proactive status updates, identify and resolve issues early.
• Champion Froneri ownership culture and core values.
• Lead commissioning of new lines and maintain maintenance/process records.
• Ensure smooth handover between project and operations teams.
• Drive production processes to meet customer specifications, quality, and safety.
• Create commissioning and ramp‑up plans and collaborate with all departments.
• Deliver day, week, and month‑long project targets and ensure successful startups.
• Attend portfolio meetings, inform factory teams about recipe changes, and plan trials.
• Follow up on open items for trials to ensure successful execution.

• Project targets met on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.
• Successful equipment startups and handovers.
• Training and development plans that produce measurable benefits.
• Commissioning plans executed on schedule.
• Equipment operating to line standards.
• Product quality meeting CRQS specifications.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong technical aptitude and ability to learn specialized terminology.
• Basic math skills: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, rate, ratio, percent.
• Mechanical troubleshooting ability.
• Team‑oriented with strong interpersonal skills.
• Basic computer proficiency.
• Ability to make independent decisions and prioritize work.
• Good customer‑service orientation and quick learner.

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Mechanical, Industrial Engineering or a related discipline.
• Passion for engineering and eagerness to learn new skills.
• Aptitude for automated mechanical processes with troubleshooting skills.
• Excellent problem‑solving and interpersonal communication.

• Wet or humid environment, high‑noise level, mechanical/electrical equipment.
• Cold temperatures may require PPE and cold‑protective gear.
• Fast‑paced production with strict timelines.
• Standing, lifting, walking, repetitive hand/arm movements required.
• Compliance with food‑safety regulations including PPE usage.
• Team‑oriented collaboration on the manufacturing floor.

Location:

Laurel, MD (Remote/Hybrid options available). The position is full‑time and entry‑level.

Compensation: $80,000 – $85,000 annually plus overtime, shift differential, and bonuses based on performance.

Benefits:
Comprehensive group package – medical, dental, vision, life, paid time off, paid holidays, paid parental leave, 401(k) with employer match.

Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream Inc. provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants regardless of race, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or other protected characteristic.