Process Engineering Innovation Manager

ofi is a global leader at the forefront of food & beverage consumer trends. Through its complementary portfolio of cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts and spices ofi delivers sustainable, natural, and plant-based ingredients & solutions to its global and diversified customer base. ofi has 20,000+ employees, is in 51 countries and supplies food and raw materials to over 8,000 customers.

One in five chocolate bars produced anywhere in the world use our cocoa beans and products. We supply enough coffee beans to brew over 90 billion cups of coffee and our nuts, spices and dairy products are used in millions of products around the world. But we don’t just source or grow the raw materials for these products: our team of chefs and food scientists are working closely with our customers, sharing our fresh ideas to inspire new concepts. Making it real at every step, from plant to palate.

We’re also driven by our Purpose – ‘Be the change for good food and a healthy future’. By working with ofi, you’ll be helping to create real impact on the ground. Sustainability is built into our business model - from our offices to our farming operations and supply chains, we’re acting across issues as diverse as farmer poverty, deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions.

The Role

Reporting to the VP and Head of COE for Process Engineering and Automations, the Process Engineering Sr. Manager is responsible for performing diverse engineering analysis, managing engineering designs and implementing process changes for operations with a clear focus on unit operations in various processes across categories. This includes machine capability evaluations, modifications of equipment and developing solutions to production issues relating to materials, processes, and procedures to maximize efficiency and yields. The ideal candidate will utilize engineering fundamentals to independently identify, propose, analyze, and design cost effective food processing technologies that drive growth, reduce costs, improve quality, and keep ofi ahead of our competitors.

Key Deliverables

• Initiate the investigation and analysis of new materials, equipment, processes and engineering practices for improved performance.
• Prepare engineering computations, estimates, surveys, statistics and analysis.
• Identify, evaluate, and develop detailed proposals for breakthrough new food processing technologies that can be applied within or across product categories.
• Collaborate with the manufacturing team to analyze, validate, and implement processing improvements to existing unit operations in the current manufacturing systems that result in annualized savings.
• Initiate new ideas and lead the design of manufacturing processes for new, high complex products.
• Identify and develop Engineering strategies for new initiatives, new product development, and new business development projects and assist the plants in its successful implementation.
• Develop the tools and methodology to effectively survey the food industry and identify emerging food process innovations that business should consider maintaining our competitive advantage.
• Determine process requirements and prepare thorough and accurate process specifications, design and conduct experiments to set process specifications.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Tap into the large innovation ecosystem(professional labs,univeristies,equipment manufacturers and suppliers)including the niche startup ecosystem in Europe to bring value to innovation and the organization globally.
  
  

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in engineering with specialization in Chemical, Food, Mechanical or Food Science and Technology is required.
• Six (6) years of relevant engineering experience with large Multinational Corporation (MNC) is required.
• Experience expected to have resulted in a solid record of accomplishment.
• Experience with cocoa operations/Extrusion/Baking/UHT/dry/oil roasting processing and packaging is highly preferred.
• Experience with at least one of the following processing operations: bakery, beverage, Snacks, spreads, edible nuts processing is required.
• Extensive knowledge of food engineering fundamentals and applications, knowledge of statistics, design of experiments, problem solving techniques, engineering economics is required.
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically up to 25% of time, and internationally up to 25 % of time including US, Africa and Asia.
  
  

What We Offer

At ofi you will get a position in one of the fastest growing and most sustainable companies in the food and agri-industry. You will have a high responsibility and will start in a very entrepreneurial, open and informal organization with regular social events.

Ofi Offers The Following Company Benefits

Competitive salary;

• Opportunities to work from home;
• Flexible working hours;
• 25 Vacation days per annum and opportunity to buy 10 extra;
• Home/work travel allowance;
• Company pension scheme;
• Collective medical insurance with company contribution;
• Company fitness;
• Company sponsored bike scheme;
• Collective insurances.