R&D Process Improvement Specialist na Hans Kissle

At Häns Kissle, we strive to cultivate moments with delicious food that inspire happiness, any time, anywhere. Founded in 1984, Häns Kissle began as the regional commissary for a small, high-end grocery chain in New England, MA, crafting fresh, upscale prepared foods and deli salads. Today we have two manufacturing facilities in Massachusetts and North Carolina.  Our goal is to become a North American leader in fresh prepared foods, serving all channels of distribution.

Position Summary: 

The R&D Process Improvement Specialist plays a key role in optimizing food manufacturing processes, enhancing product quality, and ensuring compliance with food safety standards. Acting as a critical bridge between R&D innovation and production operations, this role applies scientific and engineering principles to improve formulations, scale-up production, and streamline workflows.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on problem solver with a background in food science, process engineering, and continuous improvement methodologies.

Key Responsibilities:

Process Optimization & Innovation

• Analyze current manufacturing processes to identify inefficiencies and improvement opportunities.
• Lead trials and validations for new processing methods, technologies, and ingredients.
• Partner with cross-functional teams (QA, Operations, Engineering) to implement scalable and sustainable solutions.
• Develop and update SOPs and process control parameters to ensure product consistency and regulatory compliance.

Data-Driven Improvements

• Collect, interpret, and analyze production data to evaluate performance, yield, and quality.
• Apply statistical tools (e.g., root cause analysis, SPC) to diagnose process issues and implement corrective actions.
• Support cost-reduction and waste minimization initiatives through innovative process design.

Product Development Support

• Facilitate the transition of new formulations from lab-scale to full production.
• Evaluate ingredient performance and ensure compatibility with current manufacturing systems.
• Align process changes with sensory, nutritional, and regulatory expectations.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain detailed records of R&D trials, validations, and process modifications.
• Ensure adherence to food safety and quality systems (HACCP, GMP, FSMA, SQF).
• Assist with internal audits and regulatory inspections by providing required process documentation.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications & Experience:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Engineering, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).

Experience:

• 3–5 years of experience in food manufacturing, process engineering, or R&D.

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong working knowledge of food safety systems and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools and continuous improvement techniques (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma).
• Effective communication, project management, and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Positive, team-oriented attitude and strong customer service focused.

Preferred Certifications:

• HACCP
• PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual)
• SQF Practitioner
• Internal Auditing Certification

Physical Requirements:

• On-site position at Hans Kissle’s Northeast facility (Haverhill, MA).
• Ability to sit or stand for long periods.
• Occasional standing, walking, or bending during employee check-ins, onboarding, or company events.
• Occasionally lift to 50 lbs., and work in varying temperatures.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in person, over the phone, and in writing.
• Ability to move between office and production floor environments as needed, adhering to safety requirements.

We Take Care of Our Team

Position offers a starting salary range of $75,600 - $120,300 USD  

Pay offered dependent on knowledge, skills, experience, and location. 

Benefits include annual target bonus program; 401k company contribution with company match up to 5%, Starting at 3 weeks paid time off; 10+ calendar holidays; up to 12 weeks paid parental bonding leave; employee assistance program; comprehensive healthcare plans and wellness programs; pet insurance, legal shield and identity theft protection; short-term and long-term disability plans.

Hans Kissle takes pride in its people and product. We strongly believe in our philosophy to uphold the highest level of integrity in everything we do. Each employee is expected to understand and act appropriately per our philosophy and policies. This job description reflects essential functions assigned by management which are subject to change at any time

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