PPI Engineer

Key Responsibilities:

• Innovation & New Product Implementation

Lead endtoend deployment of new product and packaging innovations on site. Execute R&D deployment strategies to drive production growth product quality improvement and manufacturing efficiency. Ensure the full product portfolio is launched to all target markets with required performance and quality standards and strictly comply with all R&D specifications.

• Process Management & Line Trial Leadership

Own and lead all production line trials; complete formal trial reports and provide endtoend technical expertise to the operations team during the entire product implementation lifecycle. Lead complex problemsolving for process deviations nonconformances and technical bottlenecks during new product scaleup. Validate production line and equipment process capability for new product and process rollout. Strong plus: Experience in pet food dry kibble extrusion with handson knowledge of twinscrew/singlescrew extruders conditioning drying and coating processes. Ability to quickly establish trial protocols based on different formulations and expansion targets optimizing key process parameters and equipment matching.

• Operational Control & Change Management

Establish formal operational control systems (including factory portfolio change management) for all new product launches. Implement Statistical Process Control (SPC) and quality management systems to stabilise mass production after trial runs. Manage manufacturing changes control process risks and ensure production compliance.

• Crossfunctional Project Coordination & Knowledge Transfer

Coordinate crossfunctional teams (Production Quality Maintenance Supply Chain) to deliver deployment projects and drive execution efficiency. Participate in the regional PPI platform; share best practices manufacturing technologies and lessons learned to achieve multisite harmonisation. Act as the key onsite technical contact for regional R&D and manufacturing networks. Strong plus: Familiarity with raw material characteristics (cereals meat meals fats etc.) in pet food extrusion as well as extruder barrel temperature/pressure/screw speed profiles particle size control and kibble crispness adjustment. Capable of defining Standard Running Conditions (SRC) based on product formulation and sensory requirements.

• Standardisation & Baseline Definition

Develop manufacturing standards and define Standard Running Conditions (SRC) for all core production processes. Formalise material product and packaging specifications; embed standard process baselines into daily production management. Strong plus: Proven experience in commissioning and troubleshooting dry pet food extrusion lines with familiarity with major equipment brands (e.g. Wenger Bühler).