Product Development Engineer - Ready to Heat Operations

Overview
Home Chef is a leading meal solutions company dedicated to delivering high-quality, ready-to-heat products to our customers. We are committed to innovation, sustainability, and ensuring consistent quality across all our offerings. As we continue to grow, we are seeking a talented Product Development Engineer to join our team and drive the scaling of our ready-to-heat operations while maintaining top-notch quality standards.
As a Product Development Engineer specializing in ready-to-heat operations, you will play a crucial role in scaling our production processes, identifying tools and technologies to enhance efficiency, and ensuring consistent quality from benchtop tests to full-scale production. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including R&D, Operations, Quality Assurance, and Supply Chain to develop and implement innovative solutions that optimize our manufacturing processes and elevate product quality.
Responsibilities

• Scale Ready-to-Heat Operations:
  
  • Lead the scaling of ready-to-heat operations from pilot production to full-scale manufacturing.
  • Collaborate with Operations and Culinary teams to develop strategies for efficient production scaling while minimizing costs and maintaining quality standards.
  • Conduct feasibility studies and risk assessments to identify potential challenges and develop mitigation plans.
• Technology Identification and Implementation:
  
  • Research and evaluate emerging tools, equipment, and technologies to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of ready-to-heat operations.
  • Partner with vendors and suppliers to source and implement cutting-edge technologies that align with business objectives.
  • Develop and execute implementation plans, including testing, training, and integration with existing systems.
• Food Safety and Process Optimization:
  
  • Design and implement robust quality control processes to ensure consistent product quality throughout all stages of production.
  • Conduct thorough analysis of production data and performance metrics to identify areas for process optimization and efficiency improvement.
  • Work closely with FSQA teams to develop and implement corrective and preventive actions to address quality issues and deviations.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
  
  • Collaborate with Supply Chain, Culinary, Operations, and Special Project teams to transition new products from development to production, ensuring seamless integration of processes and technologies.
  • Partner with cross-functional teams to optimize raw material selection, inventory management, and supplier relationships to support production scaling efforts.
  • Provide technical expertise and support to cross-functional teams to resolve production-related issues and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Culinary Arts, Engineering, or related field. Advanced degree preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in product development or manufacturing, preferably in the food industry, with a focus on scaling operations.
• Proven track record of successfully transitioning recipes from development to large-scale production while maintaining quality standards.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive results in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments and levels of the organization.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations and best practices in food manufacturing.
• Experience with process optimization, data analysis, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Passion for innovation and a commitment to delivering exceptional products to customers.