Manufacturing Quality Improvement Principal Engineer

Position Summary

The Manufacturing Quality Improvement Principal Engineer provides technical leadership and subject matter expertise in process improvement, quality assurance, and manufacturing operations for personal care and food products. This position supports new and existing product development (NPD & EPD) by developing efficient, reproducible manufacturing and packaging procedures, validating processes, and ensuring compliance with regulatory and quality standards. The role involves hands-on work across laboratory, pilot scale, and commercial manufacturing environments and requires collaboration with cross-functional teams including R&D, Corporate Quality, Project Management, Batch Manufacturing and Packaging, and QA/QC.

Position Scope

Position Impact

• Contributes directly to product quality, process efficiency, and reproducibility.

• Provides technical leadership across multiple sites and projects.

• Supports the commercialization of new products and continuous improvement of manufacturing processes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead process improvement initiatives to optimize efficiency, quality, and reproducibility in manufacturing operations.

• Own the development of Process Instructions (PIs) for NPD & EPD projects, ensuring reproducible batch manufacturing and packaging procedures.

• Conduct laboratory testing to evaluate batches (e.g., viscosity, pH) and support investigative work on raw materials and processing equipment.

• Develop and validate manufacturing procedures and process specifications.

• Conduct risk assessments and implement corrective and preventive actions.

• Perform root cause analysis and resolve non-conforming results.

• Support scale-up and technology transfer of new formulations to commercial production.

• Evaluate and validate new processing equipment and technologies.

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary project teams to improve workflow, safety, and efficiency.

• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to engineers and cross-functional team members.

• Maintain compliance with FDA, GMP, ISO, HACCP, and other applicable regulatory and quality standards.

Education & Experience

• Education: List minimum required educational qualifications. If applicable, list any preferred qualifications that would enhance a candidate’s suitability.

• Experience: List the minimum total years of experience required. If applicable, also specify the minimum years of experience required in specific/relevant responsibilities.  If leadership experience is needed, include the expected number of years.

Knowledge, Skills, & Talents

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Industrial, or related); Master’s degree preferred.

• 10+ years of experience in process/manufacturing engineering within personal care, food, or pharmaceutical related industries.

• Strong expertise in Lean Six Sigma, SPC, DOE, and statistical analysis; Black Belt preferred.

• Demonstrated success in process validation, optimization, and cross-functional project leadership.

• Experience developing Process Instructions (PIs) and reproducible batch manufacturing and packaging procedures.

• Ability to work hands-on in laboratory, pilot scale, and commercial manufacturing environments.

• Desired: Experience with API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients) and NF (National Formulary) pharmaceutical products.

• Strong analytical, communication, and influencing skills.

Core Competencies:

• Innovation: Drives continuous process improvement and shares best practices.

• Strategic Thinking: Prioritizes initiatives to achieve business objectives efficiently.

• Collaboration: Builds cross-functional relationships and influences teams.

• Operational Excellence: Champions efficiency, quality, and productivity improvements.

• People Development: Mentors engineers and develops technical expertise in the team.

• Professionalism: Demonstrates accountability, sound judgment, and effective communication.

• Agility: Effectively manages multiple high-priority items at once, adapting to changing priorities while keeping projects moving forward.

Working Conditions

• Based in Englewood, Ohio.

• Up to 15% travel required (domestic and/or international).

• Flexible hours/shifts may be required.

• Combination of office, laboratory, pilot scale, and commercial manufacturing environments.

• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) required in production areas (safety glasses, hairnets, gloves, steel-toed shoes).

Pay and Benefits

The estimated base pay range for this position is: $116.000 - $174.000 annually. Actual pay will be determined based on education, certifications, experience, qualifications, skills and geographic location. This position is eligible to participate in a short-term incentive program.

Vantage offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees, including:

• Medical, HSA, dental, vision

• FSA (limited purpose, dependent care, and commuter/parking)

• Life and AD&D insurance

• Accident, hospital indemnity and critical illness insurance

• Short- and long-term disability

• EAP, identity theft protection

• Paid time off, Parental Leave

• 401(k) with company match

Equal Employment Opportunity

Vantage is an equal opportunity employer.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other protected category. 

About Vantage

Vantage provides natural solutions to our customers’ technical performance and marketing needs through a unique combination of chemistry, application expertise and service. Underpinned by our broad portfolio of formulations, ingredients and actives that are built on a backbone of sustainable oils, fats and their derivatives, Vantage targets selected markets and applications including personal care, food, surface treatment, agriculture, pharma, and consumer and industrial performance. Vantage is headquartered in Deerfield, IL., operates in 11 countries worldwide and employs more than 1,000 talented professionals focused on delivering exceptional customer experiences with every interaction.

We are a dynamic people-centered organization where you’ll be part of a collaborative global team. Embracing our cultural diversity, we learn from each other to constantly improve, adapt and iterate. We value the voices and talents of our colleagues, empowering them to drive their unique ideas to completion. We’re convinced that exceptionally motivated employees produce outstanding results and we celebrate them by fostering a culture of recognition, development, learning, excellence and shared achievement. Most importantly, we know you’re going to like it here.  For more information visit: vantagegrp.com or LinkedIn/vantage.