Regional Technical Manager

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Illinois.

📋 Description

• Deliver technical leadership and hands-on assistance across multiple sites within a designated region.

• Assess and prioritize regional technical support based on factors such as food safety, quality, customer needs, operational efficiency, and financial risk.

• Lead intricate root-cause analyses and corrective measures for recurring or significant technical challenges.

• Collaborate with plant teams, Engineering, suppliers, and OEMs to implement enduring technical solutions and standardize best practices.

• Assist SQF Practitioners and HACCP teams in the validation and verification of prerequisite programs, process controls, sanitation systems, water systems, and major process modifications.

• Raise food safety and quality concerns, recommending actions such as halting production, placing products on hold, or delaying startup when controls are insufficient.

• Organize, plan, and execute comprehensive end-to-end process audits at designated plants.

• Confirm inspections, testing, sampling, measurements, documentation, verification, and escalation in accordance with QMS, procedures, specifications, regulations, and customer standards.

• Record objective evidence, identify control deficiencies and systemic risks, communicate findings, and establish ownership and deadlines for corrective actions.

• Develop, implement, monitor, and finalize corrective and preventive actions arising from audits, inspections, and assessments.

• Assess root causes and action plans; verify implementation, effectiveness, and sustainability; escalate overdue or high-risk issues.

• Diagnose issues related to filling, blending, processing, carbonation, Brix, pH, thermal processing, mixing, flow, pressure, and package performance.

• Utilize process data and trends to decrease variability, enhance First Time Right metrics, boost yield, reduce waste, and minimize downtime.

• Lead and support the validation of CIP/COP and verification of sanitation effectiveness.

• Investigate microbiological anomalies, biofilm issues, and persistent sanitation failures.

• Provide technical expertise for chlorination, media filtration, GAC, RO, UV, ozone, and treated-water storage/distribution systems.

• Troubleshoot water chemistry, microbiological control, membrane performance, scaling/fouling, and treatment system efficiency.

• Assist in monitoring, verification, calibration, data integrity, trending, and validation of new or modified water systems.

• Support new line setups, equipment installations, product trials, launches, and significant process alterations.

• Engage in technical risk assessments and readiness/Go-No-Go reviews.

• Offer on-site technical assistance during startup and stabilization while documenting lessons learned.

• Identify training requirements and create as well as deliver classroom and hands-on training for plant staff.

• Mentor plant teams and perform follow-up observations and verifications.

• Develop and standardize SOPs, work instructions, troubleshooting guides, qualification materials, and technical training programs.

• Disseminate proven solutions and lessons learned throughout the network.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a related technical discipline.

• At least 5 years of experience in technical, engineering, quality, or manufacturing roles within the food or beverage industry.

• Proven experience in conducting end-to-end process audits, verifying corrective actions and their effectiveness, troubleshooting processes, CIP/sanitation validation, water treatment, and equipment or line startups.

• HACCP training/certification is mandatory.

• Solid understanding of SQF, cGMPs, FDA/CFIA regulations, and GFSI schemes is essential.

• SQF Practitioner training is preferred.

• Extensive knowledge of beverage processing and packaging systems, including filling, blending, carbonation, thermal processing, and process controls.

• Strong working knowledge of CIP/COP, sanitation validation, microbiological controls, cleanability, and hygienic design principles.

• Familiarity with SQF food safety systems, HACCP principles, prerequisite programs, validation, verification, and corrective-action expectations.

• In-depth understanding of beverage water treatment systems, including GAC, RO, UV, chlorination/oxidation, storage, distribution, and online instrumentation.

• Excellent skills in root-cause analysis, process troubleshooting, data analysis, and trend/SPC methodologies.

• Proficient in SAP, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and technical data analysis tools.

• Capable of interpreting process flow diagrams, P&IDs, and equipment documentation.

• Strong abilities in auditing, communication, training, facilitation, coaching, and influencing across plant and corporate functions.

• Proven capability to plan and execute end-to-end manufacturing process audits, evaluate compliance against QMS requirements, and translate findings into effective, sustainable corrective and preventive actions.

• Regularly able to work in manufacturing settings that require standing, walking, and conducting plant-floor inspections.

• Willingness to work in wet areas, elevated temperatures, noise, chemicals, moving equipment, and to utilize required PPE.

• Willingness to travel 50%-75% or more within the assigned region and across other North American locations, including frequent overnight travel and extended support at plants.

🏝️ Benefits

• Performance-based bonuses linked to company objectives.

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts.

• Life and AD&D insurance.

• Critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance options.

• Short-term and long-term disability coverage.

• Pet insurance available.

• Legal benefits.

• 401(k) Savings Plan with Company Match.

• 12 paid holidays annually.

• 10 vacation days.

• 5 paid sick days off.

• Well-being benefit discounts.

• Total Reward Programs.