Manufacturing Process Engineer

This role is aligned to the Coffee Operating Unit

Location: 3109 Plant Water Road, Knoxville, TN 37914

Shift & Schedule:

This is a salaried position supporting a flexible schedule based on business needs. The role is expected to support operations across all shifts and is typically scheduled for four 10-hour days.

The Manufacturing Process Engineer is responsible for improving manufacturing processes, equipment performance, and overall production efficiency. This role works closely with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to identify opportunities for improvement, troubleshoot production issues, and implement sustainable solutions.

The Manufacturing Process Engineer will use data, engineering principles, and continuous improvement methodologies to improve safety, quality, productivity, reliability, and cost performance across the manufacturing operation. This position will spend significant time working directly with plant operations and production teams to identify issues, develop solutions, and support implementation.

Position Responsibilities

• Analyze manufacturing processes, production data, and equipment performance to identify opportunities to improve safety, quality, efficiency, throughput, and cost.

• Provide engineering support for day-to-day manufacturing operations and troubleshoot process and production issues.

• Develop, implement, and standardize process improvements to increase productivity and reduce waste, downtime, and variation.

• Partner with Operations and Maintenance teams to identify root causes of recurring production issues and implement corrective actions.

• Lead or support Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement initiatives, including process optimization, waste reduction, standard work, and problem-solving activities.

• Monitor key manufacturing performance indicators and use data analysis to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.

• Develop and maintain process documentation, standard operating procedures, work instructions, process specifications, and other technical documentation.

• Support production trials, process changes, new equipment installations, and new product introductions.

• Evaluate process changes and equipment modifications to determine potential impacts to safety, quality, capacity, and productivity.

• Work with Maintenance and Engineering teams to improve equipment reliability and reduce unplanned downtime.

• Partner with Quality to investigate process-related quality issues and implement sustainable corrective and preventive actions.

• Support capital projects by developing process requirements, evaluating equipment and technology options, and assisting with installation, commissioning, and startup activities.

• Develop and maintain process metrics and reports to measure improvement results.

• Train and support production employees and supervisors on new processes, equipment, procedures, and process improvements.

• Ensure manufacturing processes comply with company safety requirements, quality standards, regulatory requirements, and applicable policies.

• Participate in cross-functional improvement teams and provide technical expertise to support plant and business objectives.

• Identify opportunities to automate or simplify processes and improve overall manufacturing capability.

• Support continuous improvement culture by promoting data-driven problem solving and sustainable process improvements.

• Targeted annual compensation range of $90,000–$125,000.
• This is a salaried, exempt position paid biweekly. Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience. 

Benefits (Effective Day One, Where Applicable):

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

• Disability Coverage

• Paid Time Off (including vacation and sick leave)

• 401(k) with company match

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Mileage Reimbursement

Benefits are subject to eligibility requirements a