Pilot Plant Operations Lead (R&D)

Join Our Mission to Lead the Future of Snacking

Are you ready to make it happen at Mondelēz International? Working as part of a cross-functional team, you are an internally recognized expert in a critical technical area for the R&D process development function. You identify, define, and solve complex technical and business problems by applying your broad technical and in-depth knowledge. You oversee the delivery of assigned programs, support new programs/platforms linked to business objectives and use your expertise in your technical area when interacting with senior management and global cross-functional teams to help deliver on current and future demands of the business.

How you will contribute

You will support technically focused projects and use your technical expertise to guide, direct and influence activities lead by others and to ensure the right solutions are developed, future breakthrough opportunities are identified, and executable programs are implemented with technical rigor. In this role, you will be accountable for the technical outcomes of process development activities (e.g. process design and specifications, process scale up, commissioning etc.) and for quantifying the technical risks your projects and those lead by others, offering recommendations and conclusions and influencing senior stakeholders when making business decisions. As a leader in your technical field, you will develop and leverage connections internally and with external technical partners. As a leader of people, you will create a culture that fosters intellectual properties to drive competitive advantage; manage an internal team of process developers and work with cross-functional partners to establish resource and budget needs to deliver the requirements in your business area of responsibility; provide strategic leadership in your process technology area and/or process development program, and mentor and coach others to grow technical talent.

What you will bring

A desire to drive your future and accelerate your career and the following experience and knowledge:

• Technical leadership in process development, including a leading process development team, ideally within fast-moving consumer goods environment
• Applying your strong technical leadership and expertise to set and deliver the business and functional agenda
• Using critical thinking and thought leadership proactively to ensure solutions to complex issues are delivered
• Working collaboratively in a fast-paced global commercial and technical environment
• Coaching and mentoring others
• Ensure that foundational skills/capabilities keep pace with technology advancements
• Creating a culture of technical curiosity, learning and collaboration

More about this role

What you need to know about this position:

• Lead, coach, and manage a team of up to 14 technicians and contractors who support Biscuit and Confectionery pilot plant scale-up trials.
• Conduct performance evaluations, provide constructive feedback, and identify professional development opportunities for team members.
• Supervise the execution of pilot plant trials, ensuring strict adherence to safety, quality, and cGMP standards.
• Oversee daily operational schedules, ensure adequate staffing, strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and efficient workflow.
• Coordinate and lead comprehensive pre-trial meetings with process and product developers to define the trial objectives, pre-work requirements, analytical methodologies for non-standard formulations, and Critical-to-Quality (CTQ) specifications for control and test products.
• Conduct post-trial reviews to assess trial outcomes against objectives, analyze data, and identify areas for process and operational improvement.
• Achieve and maintain high equipment readiness for trials, with an initial goal of 80% and a target of 95% within 12 months, to minimize cancellations due to unplanned equipment breakdowns.
• Track, analyze, and report on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for pilot plant operations, including trial readiness, trial success rates, and cancellations. Update the KPI Dashboard quarterly and provide monthly readiness reports to the Site Lead.

Education / Certifications:

BS in Chemical/Mechanical/Food Engineering

Job specific requirements:

• 8-10 years of experience.
• Strong technical foundation and high level of technical curiosity.

Travel requirements:

<5% travel

Work schedule:

Onsite role based in Whippany, NJ.

Salary and Benefits

The base salary range for this position is $109,000 to $149,875; the exact salary depends on several factors such as experience, skills, education and location. In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for participation in a highly competitive bonus program with possibility for overachievement based on performance and company results.

In addition, Mondelez International offers the following benefits: health insurance, wellness and family support programs, life and disability insurance, retirement savings plans, paid leave programs, education related programs, paid holidays and vacation time. Some of these benefits have eligibility requirements. Many of these benefits are subsidized or fully paid for by the company.

No Relocation support available

Business Unit Summary

The United States is the largest market in the Mondelēz International family with a significant employee and manufacturing footprint. Here, we produce our well-loved household favorites to provide our consumers with the right snack, at the right moment, made the right way. We have corporate offices, sales, manufacturing and distribution locations throughout the U.S. to ensure our iconic brands—including Oreo and Chips Ahoy! cookies, Ritz, Wheat Thins and Triscuit crackers, and Swedish Fish and Sour Patch Kids confectionery products—are close at hand for our consumers across the country.

Mondelēz Global LLC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. Applicants who require accommodation to participate in the job application process may contact 847-943-5460 for assistance.