About the Role:

Reporting to the SVP, Global Manufacturing, Operations and Regulatory, the Senior/Lead Process Engineer will be a key member of the Manufacturing team. This role will be responsible for developing and managing Elo’s pilot studies (bridging with R&D on bench studies) as well as scaling and optimizing ingredient production to meet commercial specifications.

This position provides the unique opportunity to help design and build Elo’s agricultural supply chain and production capabilities as well as contribute to building the team that will support Elo’s first product launches.

Key Competencies:

• Deep expertise and hands-on experience developing, implementing and scaling process technology of agri-food ingredients.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with proven ability to influence and build trust with team members as well as with external partners.
• Flexible team player willing to do what it takes to get the job done; adaptable and enjoys new challenges each day.
• Bias for taking action and creative problem-solving.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and follow through to ensure projects are completed and documented in a timely manner.
• Unyielding integrity and commitment to upholding Elo’s values.

Key Responsibilities, Including but not Limited to:

• Develop and manage Elo’s pilot studies working with CMOs for timely and scalable ingredient production and bridging with R&D on bench studies to ensure efficient use of resources.
• Accountable for the successful scale-up, validation and delivery of new ingredients meeting commercial specifications.
• Carry out experimental design to optimize production, evaluate and improve on processes and capabilities in manufacturing systems, developing innovative solutions to enable successful ingredient production and scale up.
• Lead identification, design, development, testing and qualification of process systems in support of ingredient production and ensure seamless implementation of process requirements and specifications. This also includes carrying out techno-economic modeling.
• Provide technical leadership for the manufacturing process to resolve operational problems as it relates to producibility, conformance to the drawing or specifications, material use and bottlenecks in the process.
• Work with Operations & Supply Chain teams to optimize supply chain, manage scale up and pilot partners, source ingredients and manage capabilities to ensure efficiency of manufacturing operations.
• Provide regular updates and forecasts to senior leadership, and coordinate with Elo’s R&D and commercial teams, for pilot trials, commercial scale up and delivery of Elo ingredients.
• Travel 30-50% of the time, particularly during peak seasons, which could be within a multi-state region.

The Successful Applicant

• M.E. or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering (or food processing) or equivalent experience with at least 10 years of proven experience in food manufacturing.
• Plant operations experience with a focus on scaling and process improvement.
• Knowledge of biotechnology and its applications in agriculture are preferred but not required.
• Knowledge of chromatography and its applications are preferred but not required.
• A solutions-oriented thought leader able to identify areas of improvement, problem-solve and implement new processes.
• Experience in both large (>5,000 emp.) and small (<100 emp.) companies preferred but not required.
• Preference will be given to candidates that are locally based or willing to relocate.

Compensation

We offer a very competitive compensation package, consisting of salary, bonus, equity, and benefits to all team members. For health benefits we pay 100% of employees and their family members!

Elo Life Systems, Inc. is proud to be an affirmative action / equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, creed, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected under local, state, or federal laws.