How you will make history here...
The Process Specialist is responsible for overseeing and improving ingredient handling, recipe execution, and process reliability within our Pepperidge Farm bakery manufacturing plant. This role focuses on ensuring that all ingredient systems—from receiving to mixing—operate consistently, safely, and efficiently, while standardizing recipe processes to deliver uniform product quality. The Process Specialist partners closely with production, maintenance, quality, and sanitation to drive process reliability, recipe consistency, preventive maintenance, and continuous improvement on the ingredient side of the plant.
This position is hands-on and pivotal to keeping ingredient and recipe operations running smoothly. The Process Specialist focuses on the reliability, consistency, and continuous improvement of the ingredient side of the plant, ensuring standardized recipe execution and high-quality baked goods every day.
What you will do...
Reliability Oversight
o Monitor and evaluate the performance of ingredient handling systems (receiving, storage, conveying, batching, and mixing).
o Identify recurring issues and implement reliability and process improvements to minimize downtime and waste.
o Use data and trend analysis to address root causes of breakdowns and quality deviations.
Recipe Standardization & Compliance
o Develop, document, and maintain standardized procedures for ingredient preparation, batching, and recipe execution.
o Work with production and quality teams to ensure recipes are followed accurately and consistently across shifts.
o Audit and verify recipe adherence, making sure ingredient weights, mixing times, and processing parameters meet standards.
o Provide feedback and recommend adjustments to improve recipe consistency and reduce variation in dough and ingredient handling.
o Partner with R&D and Quality on the introduction of new recipes or ingredient changes to ensure smooth implementation.
Preventive & Predictive Maintenance Support
o Ensure ingredient equipment is covered under preventive and predictive maintenance schedules.
o Follow up on work orders, emergency repairs, and scheduled shutdowns to verify work is completed to standard.
o Coordinate closely with maintenance teams to prioritize repairs and upgrades that improve reliability.
Cross-Functional Coordination
o Work with production to understand operational needs and align ingredient system reliability with daily schedules.
o Partner with sanitation teams to ensure effective and timely cleanings during planned shutdowns.
o Collaborate with quality and food safety teams to ensure compliance with all food safety requirements.
Inventory & Contractors
o Support the organization and maintenance of spare parts inventory for ingredient systems.
o Assist with coordinating contractors and vendors performing ingredient-system-related work.
Training & Development
o Provide training and guidance to maintenance and production personnel on proper use and care of ingredient systems and recipe execution.
o Share best practices for equipment operation, preventive maintenance, and standardized recipes.
Safety & Compliance
o Monitor adherence to safety and food safety standards on ingredient systems.
o Actively participate in safety, food safety, and reliability audits.
Continuous Improvement
o Recommend and support process changes to enhance consistency, throughput, and quality on the ingredient side.
o Lead initiatives to reduce recipe variation and improve first-pass quality.
o Participate in reliability and continuous improvement projects; use data to drive decisions.
Who you will work with...
- Reporting into Maintenance Manager
- 3 Technicians reporting into this role
What you will bring to the table... (Must Have)
- Associate's Degree
- 3+ years of experience in Maintenance, Operations or Process reliability in a manufacturing environment
- Familiarity with ingredient handling systems, mixing, dough preparation, or recipe management
- PLC Programming and PLC troubleshooting experience
- Ability to troubleshoot mechanical, pneumatic, and basic electrical issues in ingredient systems.
Competence with Microsoft Office and maintenance management systems (CMMS).
Understanding of food safety and sanitation requirements in a manufacturing setting.
It would be great if you have... (Nice to Have)
- Bachelor's Degree
- 5+ years of experience in maintenance, operations, or process reliability in a bakery, food, or CPG environment
- Familiarity with Lean, TPM, or Six Sigma methodologies
- Experience with recipe management systems or batch control
- Strong knowledge of preventive and predictive maintenance programs
Join our talent community
We’re proud to be a purpose-driven company. Our goal is simple: to connect people through food they love. It’s the reason we innovate, grow, and show up every day because food brings people together.