Balchem Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets specialty ingredients that improve and enhance the health and well-being of life on the planet, providing state-of-the-art solutions and the finest quality products for a range of industries worldwide. Our corporate headquarters is located in Montvale, New Jersey and we have a broad network of sales offices, manufacturing sites, and R&D centers, primarily located in the US and Europe. Founded in 1967, Balchem is a publicly traded company (NASDAQ – “BCPC”) with annual revenues over $900 million and a market cap exceeding $4.0 billion. The company consists of three business segments: Human Nutrition & Health; Animal Nutrition & Health; and Specialty Products. Balchem employs over 1,400 people worldwide who are engaged in diverse activities, committed to developing the company into global market leadership positions. To learn more about our dynamic, stable and growing company, visit www.balchem.com.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Extrusion Engineer is a member of the R&D group that is based on Faribault, MN focusing on high-protein extruded food products such as crisps, snacks, and texturized vegetable protein. This role is both a strategic and tactical in nature and is for someone who enjoys the challenge of scale-up and bringing new products to market. Working closely with the members of R&D, operations and quality, the Extrusion Engineer will be the subject matter expert on extrusion process technology focused on manufacturing high protein extrudates. Extrusion engineer will be a key technical liaison for customers and internal operations team guiding the team on process development, technical troubleshooting and specification development on new and existing products.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Lead and champion a culture of safety. Work safely and professionally complying with all company policies and procedures.
- Manage and lead technical aspects of extrusion product development efforts from pilot to manufacturing including process development, processing capability, and specification development. Demonstrates knowledge and expertise in product/process development, innovation, and extrusion operation.
- Provide subject matter expertise: troubleshoot production problems relating to raw materials, equipment, and/ or processing conditions. Shows technical and functional expertise and works cross functionally to solve broader business issues.
- Meet with customers, as a technical expert and a liaison, to support on-site trials at the manufacturing plant. Document and present findings and suggest improvements.
- Have previous knowledge and dedication to develop deep expertise in critical parameters involved in the manufacturing of extruded ingredients as well as processes; lead operations on process changes to manufacture new products during trials.
- Ensures diligence and expertise in development, scale up and commercialization of products and technologies. Drives change in a complex, fast-paced business and production environment.
- Create test designs including formulation and process variables and ability to correlate to impact on finished product for pilot and manufacturing trials. Lead hands-on pilot scale trials with pilot technologist.
- Shows exceptional conceptual, creative and analytic problem solving – the ability to break down complex issues and simplify by focusing on what matters.
- Work closely with Operations, QA and functional business partners to troubleshoot issues with existing products and processes. Understands the commercialization process.
- Develop better practices, and standard operating instructions for high first pass quality within provided specification
- Lead technical communication in the preparation of presentations and reports to communicate results internally and externally (customers)
- Understands regulatory requirements and work to ensure compliance
- Follows and enforces all safety policies and procedures including use of safety equipment (PPE) and equipment safeguards. Works to advance and promote the safety culture of the site
- Performs other duties as assigned.
REQUIREMENTS:
- BS degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related field required. Master’s, Ph.D. or previous plant experience preferred
- 1-5 years of experience in process or product development with a focus on extrusion technology highly preferred. Entry level candidates will be considered but candidates with experience will be preferred.
- 1-5 years of bench-top laboratory, formulation, and pilot plant experience preferred.
- Ability to travel 25% of their time mainly to the manufacturing site to support trials on-site.
- Excellent communication, influencing, and problem-solving skills
- Highly self-motivated individual comfortable working individually and able to manage multiple tasks and projects efficiently within the context of a fast-paced, busy environment
- Proven success in applying prior learning or scientific principles to new situations
- Ability to exhibit a collaborative mindset and apply innovative solutions are a must
- Knowledge of Food Safety, HACCP preferred.
- Previous experience in a food manufacturing setting is required.
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Balchem is committed to a workplace culture that values and promotes diversity, inclusion, equal employment opportunities, and a work environment free of harassment and hostility.
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