Process Engineer

The Process Engineer evaluates, improves, and standardizes manufacturing and agricultural processes across Top Tier Ingredients and Heartland Farms. This hands-on, operationally focused role analyzes production performance, identifies improvement opportunities, and manages projects from initial evaluation through implementation and follow-up to ensure sustainable results. Assignments may span receiving, processing, dehydration, packaging, loadout, sanitation, maintenance, planting, irrigation, harvest, storage, and equipment operations.

Qualifications

Duties & Responsibilities

Operational Learning and Work Measurement

• Work alongside frontline employees and supervisors to understand operational processes, equipment, constraints, and existing work practices before recommending significant changes.
• Conduct time studies, work sampling, process mapping, and workflow assessments to establish reliable performance baselines for productivity, throughput, downtime, yield, labor utilization, and other operational measures.
• Analyze production data and apply Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, including root-cause analysis, to identify inefficiencies, recurring issues, and opportunities to improve safety, quality, capacity, cost, and workflow.

Continuous Improvement, Project Execution and Sustainability 

• Collaborate with frontline employees and operational leaders to identify, develop, and recommend practical improvements to processes, equipment utilization, work methods, labor efficiency, and material movement.
• Lead the evaluation, testing, and implementation of approved process improvements, utilizing operational data, employee feedback, and measurable performance objectives.
• Manage assigned improvement projects from conception through completion, including project scope, objectives, timelines, resource requirements, stakeholder coordination, action items, and risk management.
• Coordinate implementation efforts across departments, communicate project progress, resolve barriers, and escalate issues requiring leadership involvement.

• Evaluate implemented improvements against established performance baselines and conduct follow-up reviews, including 30- and 90-day assessments as appropriate, to verify improvements are effective and sustained.
• Identify opportunities to standardize operational processes and recommend updates to SOPs, work instructions, and related documentation, providing technical input and reviewing content for accuracy in collaboration with area supervisors and Quality Assurance.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Working knowledge of Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, including root-cause analysis, process improvement, and work measurement techniques such as time studies, Kaizen, or DMAIC. Formal certification is preferred but not required.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills with excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize competing demands, and ensure timely completion of assigned responsibilities.
• Ability to analyze production data, evaluate operational workflows, and translate findings into practical, actionable recommendations through effective written and verbal communication.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and operational data analysis, including the ability to organize information, evaluate performance trends, and prepare clear, accurate reports.
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, with the ability to build trust, establish credibility with frontline employees, and influence change without direct supervisory authority while working effectively with manufacturing, farm operations, shipping, maintenance, quality, sanitation, warehousing, and leadership teams. 

Experience & Education

Required Qualifications

• Three or more years of experience observing and measuring operational work, improving processes, and producing technical documentation relied on by others.
• Bachelor’s degree in industrial, mechanical, chemical, agricultural, or food engineering or a related technical field, OR equivalent hands-on experience in manufacturing, food processing, or agricultural operations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Food manufacturing experience, including GMP, HACCP/FSMA requirements, and customer audits.
• Background in dehydration, thermal processing, drying, or bulk solids handling.
• Lean or Six Sigma certification; experience with OEE, ERP/production-management systems, process historians, PLC/SCADA data, or plant analytics.
• Previous hands-on experience as an operator, mechanic, or crew lead.
• Bilingual English/Spanish proficiency.

Work Schedule 

The work schedule varies based on operational demands, seasonal activities, and weather conditions. Flexibility is required regarding daily and weekly hours, including occasional evenings, weekends, and varying shifts to support manufacturing and farm operations. Work is organized into focused assignments, with priorities established by operations leadership. General office support is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Work Environment 

Work is performed in office, manufacturing, warehouse, maintenance, and agricultural environments. The position requires regular walking, standing, and interaction with employees in active operational areas. Working conditions may include noise, dust, moisture, temperature fluctuations, moving equipment, and seasonal outdoor exposure. Employees must comply with all applicable safety, sanitation, food safety, and personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements.

Physical Requirements

Ability to work on-site and travel between company locations and work settings.

Ability to sit and use a computer for extended periods and to walk through farm and operational areas.

Ability to communicate clearly in person, by telephone, and electronically.

Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds.

Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record required when operating a company or personal vehicle for business purposes.

Location Details

Heartland Farms is located at 907 3rd Avenue Hancock, WI 54943 in Adams County near the border of Waushara County.

The facility is approximately:

• Less than 20-minutes from Bancroft, Coloma, or Plainfield.
• About 30 minutes from Adams, Almond, Necedah, Nekoosa, Wautoma, Westfield, or Wild Rose.
• About 35-40 minutes from Red Granite, Stevens Point, or Wisconsin Rapids.

With Heartland Farms, Inc., you will work as part of a high performing agricultural organization where team members collaborate to get the job done and challenge the status quo to find a better way. We highly value hard work, achievement, and reliability, and reward people accordingly.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required for this position. Duties, activities, and responsibilities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. Heartland Farms Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.