The J.M. Smucker Co. · 14 hours ago
Senior Scientist Process Engineer – Pet Food R&D
Orrville, OH
Full-time
Hybrid
Senior Level
5+ years expThe J.M. Smucker Co. is seeking a Senior Scientist Process Engineer for their Pet Food Research & Development team. This role involves advancing thermal processing capabilities and driving innovation in pet treat production through collaboration and technical leadership.
ConfectioneryFood and BeverageManufacturing
Responsibilities
Champion process development and optimization for thermal processing and twin-screw extrusion, driving innovation and best practices within cross-functional teams
Design, execute, and interpret trials for food processing innovations, facilitating knowledge-sharing and collaboration among teams
Lead the successful scale-up and commercialization of new products and technologies by fostering teamwork and effective communication demonstration of CQV tools and principles
Provide technical leadership and mentorship, guiding lab activities, supporting onboarding, and developing technical training programs for team members at all levels
Collaborate across departments to identify opportunities for process improvements, solve technical challenges, and ensure alignment with business goals
Analyze processing data using advanced modeling and simulation tools to establish specifications and guide team decision-making
Drive continuous improvement initiatives and support organizational change management, ensuring all stakeholders are engaged and informed throughout transitions
Manage capital projects including equipment installation, layout planning, and vendor coordination, while leading project teams and maintaining collaborative vendor relationships
Lead Design of Experiments (DOE) efforts, encouraging creative problem-solving and cross-functional contributions to system and process enhancements
Operate independently and efficiently, managing projects with minimal supervision, while promoting an inclusive and cooperative team environment, including up to 30% seasonal travel as needed
Qualification
Required
Bachelors in chemical engineering, food science, mechanical engineering, or related field is required
5+ years' experience with advanced degree, or 10+ years with Bachelor's; experience in food manufacturing, thermal processing, and extrusion
Demonstrated knowledge of food safety standards and validation practices
Successful cross-functional project leadership and change management
Skilled in process modeling/simulation (i.e. JMP, Aspen, Minitab) for throughput and quality optimization
Understanding of ingredient functionality and its effect on food quality
Experienced in scaling up and commercializing (CQV) processes
Strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities
Able to work independently and lead projects from planning through delivery
Preferred
Advanced degree in Chemical Engineering, Food Science, or Mechanical Engineering
Experience in twin-screw extrusion of pet treats, including formulation development, die design, and post-extrusion handling
Proven ability to innovate treat formulations through ingredient experimentation and process optimization
Experience designing and executing pilot-scale trials with thorough documentation of process parameters
Experience with operation and validation of thermal processing systems such as retorts, hydrostats, and continuous sterilizers
Effective collaboration & strong communication within the cross-functional teams, including R&D, quality assurance, and production-based roles
Maintain strong professional relationships through gathering & providing feedback to strengthen the seamless technical community dynamics
Commitment to continuous improvement and implementation of research findings in commercial production environments
Company
The J.M. Smucker Co.
At The J.M. Smucker Co., it is our privilege to make food people and pets love by offering a diverse family of brands available across North America.
5001-10000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
The J.M. Smucker Co. has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (8)
2024 (6)
2023 (3)
2022 (5)
2021 (4)
2020 (3)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Rebecca Scheidler
Senior Vice President & General Manager, Consumer Foods
Recent News
2025-11-25
2025-10-15
Bleichmar Fonti & Auld
2025-09-26
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