Innovation Engineer

Who We Are

At Freshpet, our goal is to change the way people nourish their pets forever. We strive to strengthen the bond between people and our pets so that we both live longer, healthier, and happier lives while being kind to the planet. We believe that if we can create fresh, real foods that pets love and help them live healthier lives that their pet parents will also enjoy the many benefits of a rich life shared with a pet.

We started off with a mission to change the way pet parents feed dogs and cats, but we also wanted to be a company that had a thoughtful approach to how we operate. We wanted to do things differently, make great products but be gentle to the planet, good to the people who touch our business, and leave a positive impact with everything we do. We work hard every day to ensure that the original vision is met, starting with making the highest quality foods in our kitchens to running our business with integrity, transparency, and social and environmental responsibility. IT'S AMAZING WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU START COMPLETELY FRESH!

What You Will Do

The Innovation Engineer leads the development of new processes and products by designing & conducting experiments, recording of experimental data and communicating results by means of project updates of process evaluations. This includes assessing equipment, process parameters, production capabilities and product characteristics in the Pilot Plant and conducting plant trials. This individual will work and communicate seamlessly with formulators and R&D product developers as well as marketing, operations, engineering, and quality assurance team members in the design of new products and processes for innovation. This individual must be a self-starter with a genuine passion for innovation and improvement. Our product line consists of all natural refrigerated pet meal offerings across multiple product lines which require an individual that can support the high-level vision for culture and growth and be comfortable with a "hands on" approach and style. This position is a member of the Engineering team and reports to the Engineering Manager. This individual will have day to day and technical direction from the Vice President, R&D.

How You Will Make An Impact

• Planning, coordination and execution of experiments, tests, and trials on benchtop, pilot plant and production scale systems leading to the development and implementation into production of new or revised products with minimal supervision

• Identifying and evaluating new process equipment and technologies to support product and process development

• Compiling, analyzing and evaluating data for accuracy, trends and correlations and communicating results or concerns

• Summarizing process/product development activities and results and effectively transferring this knowledge to Operations and Engineering personnel including the training of hourly team members

• Harmonizing new technological advancements across Freshpet lines and supporting product launches and line extensions

• Supervision of R&D and plant technicians and interns when appropriate

• Incorporating the principles of personnel safety, food safety, and sanitary design into the planning and execution of development programs and equipment. Participation in and support of company wide behavioral based safety observation program

• Assuring compliance with Freshpet engineering standards, OSHA regulations and applicable codes and regulations

• Provide necessary technical support to vendors, customers, and operations when problems occur with process or equipment

• Designing, evaluating and supporting co-manufacturing operations to produce products efficiently, safely and with GMP

• Reinforcing Freshpet cultural values and maintaining strong relationships with vendors and other key stakeholders

• Availability on nights, weekends and holidays to manage project work and to respond to emergencies and to travel up to 40%

What You Will Bring

• BS degree in Engineering plus additional training or course work

• 5 years experience in the food industry, preferably in meat, pet food, or ready to eat food development or manufacturing

• 3 years of experience managing multiple projects in a manufacturing or development environment

• Hands-on trouble shooting skills

• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, communication and conflict resolution skills

• Intellectual curiosity, innovation and initiative

• Familiar with GMPs, quality attributes, critical control points, GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) requirements and audits

• Demonstrated responsiveness and personal flexibility including willingness to adjust work hours to match project requirements and willingness to travel

• Self-starter with the ability to establish relations and interface with outside vendors, contractors, and/or cross functional teams

• Comfortable with informal "can do" culture

• Strong computer skills (Microsoft Office, AutoCAD) and knowledge of industrial control systems

What We Offer

At Freshpet, we offer a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance, basic and optional life insurance, short- and long-term disability protection, flexible spending accounts, and a 401(k) plan with company match, paid parental leave, pet insurance, tuition assistance, a generous PTO plan and so much more!

Our Commitment to a Diverse Workforce:

At Freshpet, we embrace and encourage our employees' differences in age, sex, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique.

Freshpet aims to foster, cultivate and preserve a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. Our employees are our most valuable assets. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities and talent that our employees invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our reputation and company's achievement as well. Freshpet is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Disclaimers

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas.

Freshpet is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. Please, no phone calls or emails. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Freshpet via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of Freshpet. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Freshpet as a result of the referral or through other means.