Lead Process Engineer- -speed manufacturing

Lead Process Engineer – high-speed manufacturing

Join us to apply for the Lead Process Engineer – high-speed manufacturing role at LiDestri Foods.

This job offers a competitive base pay range of $ - $ per year
.

LiDestri Foods has grown from its roots as a pasta sauce and salsa manufacturer to become an R&D engine, formulating and producing innovative food products for our national and retailer brand partners. A family‑run company based in Rochester, NY, LiDestri employs over 1,000 people across three U.S. locations. We have decades‑long partnerships with respected consumer‑packaged goods (CPG) companies and highly inventive retailer brands.

Location:

Rochester, NY.

• Great career‑pathing
• Professional development, including unlimited online training courses
• Health insurance with premium contributions
• Dental, vision, HSA
• 100% company‑paid life insurance and long‑term disability
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid time off (vacation, sick pay, wellness days, and 10 holidays)
• Company bonuses
• And many more…

The Lead Process Engineer will manage capital project efforts involved in evaluating, designing, and developing ingredient handling systems required for batching, blending, cooking, and delivering ingredients from raw materials to fully blended, cooked, and package‑ready products for LiDestri Foods across all sites.

• Collaborate with multiple departments such as Safety, Quality, Operations, Continuous Improvement, Plant Management, Senior Leadership, R&D, etc.
• Evaluate, design, and develop ingredient handling systems for batching, blending, cooking, and delivering ingredients from raw materials to fully blended, package‑ready ingredients.
• Provide technical support and training to plant operations on identifying problems, determining improvement opportunities, and effecting change to eliminate issues.
• Establish project plans using LFD Capital Project planning tools.
• Lead weekly project update meetings with team members.
• Remain current with latest technology related to the manufacture of LFD products.
• Ensure all plant process system equipment meets specified internal and external regulations for safety and quality.
• Perform engineering calculations including environmental impact, ROI, static and dynamic fluid calculations, heat transfer, labor needs, etc.
• Utilize LFD Mechanical and Electrical standards on all projects.
• Work with vendors to drive cost‑effective and value‑added solutions from concept to installation.
• Review and lead continuous‑improvement activities associated with processes.
• Support operations and maintenance to improve equipment reliability.
• Perform analysis of failure data using statistical tools.
• Lead problem‑solving teams to identify, design, and implement improvements.
• Work closely with maintenance to target maintainability issues, reduce cost, and improve productivity.
• Communicate opportunities for improved equipment operation, setup, changeover, and maintenance with operations and maintenance.
• Oversee creation and maintenance of engineering documentation, including specifications, assembly instructions, engineering change forms, test protocols, process procedures, manufacturing SOPs, and operator/maintenance troubleshooting guides.
• Leverage internal and external partnerships with key suppliers and support departments to provide technical input to problem‑solving initiatives.
• Prepare capital expenditure requests, drawings, and specifications for improved processes and equipment in conjunction with design, packaging, and OPEX organizations.
• Manage the company’s future CAPEX project list and monitor cash flow with Finance and Director of Engineering.
• Collaborate with Plant Engineers and the Corporate Engineering Team.
• Manage and guide work of contracted engineers and tradespeople.
• Report food safety and quality problems to authorized personnel to initiate action.

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a manufacturing facility (preferred).
• Minimum 3 years of experience in the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, or chemical…