Senior Thermal Processing Specialist

Nestlé Nutrition, a global company in the Nestlé Group, helps to enhance peoples’ lives through science-based nutrition products and services for consumer groups with specific nutritional needs. Our brands include Nestlé and Gerber maternal and infant nutrition, PowerBar and Musashi performance nutrition and Jenny Craig weight management.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Specialist Thermal Processing will be focused on ensuring the safety and quality of baby foods via aseptic, retort, and hot-fill methods for Nestle Development Center (NDC) Fremont, under the mentorship of a Thermal Processing Authority. The position will collaborate cross-functionally to provide thermal processing solutions to help deliver innovation and renovation projects. In some instances, these projects may involve novel processing technology requiring advanced capabilities in protocol development, experimental design, data analysis and mathematical modeling. In addition, the position will drive knowledge transfer to stakeholders in Nestle baby food factories globally under the form of technical assistance, as well as proactive development of thermal processing standards and training delivery to build factory-level competency. Position will also play a supporting role in building thermal processing as a functional discipline within the NDC and may participate in internal networks and professional affiliations to help achieve recognition as a center of excellence.    

 

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES       

• Assist in establishing aseptic, retort and hot-fill thermal processes in support of innovation, renovation, and technical assistance. Coordinate or conduct heat penetrations, temperature distributions, and microbiological challenge studies as warranted. To include risk assessments that integrate ingredients, process and packaging, as well as microbiological and controls validation and critical control operational requirements. Prepare scheduled processes for submission with FDA as required. Support deviation analyses and recommend product dispositions as needed.
• Through mentorship of Thermal Process Authority, provide technical assistance to factories to enhance technical competency, optimize thermal processes, and resolve issues. Support the development and delivery of thermal processing standards and training to enhance factory-level capabilities. To include proactive learning of Nestlé and industry best practices. Respond well to both formal and informal requests for technical assistance.
• Proactively participate in building NDC mastership in thermal processing by recommending direction and priorities for the function and by collaborating with key internal and external stakeholders. May include participation on NDC Food Safety and Management of Change committees. May also include participation in Nestle expert networks and industry affiliations.
• Employee will be responsible to follow and uphold all Food Safety, Food Quality, Occupational Safety, Health and Environment policies and procedures as pertains to role.

 

EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS

• Engineering (prefer food, chemical, or mechanical), Food Science or closely related discipline. Advanced degree preferred. Will also consider extensive experience specific to thermal processing
• Experience or education should include thermal processing
• Advanced proficiency in English language

 

SKILLS

• Knowledge of and experience in thermal processing - aseptic, retort, and/or hot-fill
• Awareness and working knowledge of applicable regulations and establishment of thermal processes
• Strong foundational knowledge of food processing, food safety, and quality management principles including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs)
• Limited knowledge with strong aptitude for project management and team leadership
• Working knowledge of experimental design and mathematical modeling as applied to thermal processing (Calsoft and NumeriCal)
• Ellab, DataTrace (or equivalent) is a plus

Nestlé is 308,000 people strong and are driven by the purpose of enhancing the quality of life and contributing to a healthier future. With more than 91.4 billion CHF in 2018, we have an expansive presence with 413 factories in more than 85 countries. We believe our people are our most important asset, so we'll offer you a dynamic international working environment with constant opportunities for development. Want to learn more? Visit us at www.nestle.com.