Principal Thermal Processing

The Principal – Thermal Processing provides global technical leadership for thermal processing across the NPTC Nutrition & Health sites and upon request to Markets, and Manufacturing Sites. This role defines and drives best-in-class thermal processing frameworks, ensuring robust, consistent, and fit-for-purpose approaches for both innovation and operations. The role partners across NPTC Nutrition and Health, Quality by Design, and Nestlé Operations to enable sound technical decision-making, effective validation strategies, and scalable capability building.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Technical Leadership & Standards

• Define and continuously improve thermal processing frameworks, including process design, validation strategies (aseptic, retort, hot-fill), and decision logic
• Serve as the technical authority for complex, non-standard, or precedent-setting topics
• Translate emerging science and regulatory expectations into practical tools, templates, and guidance

Innovation & Process Development

• Partner with NPTC Nutrition and Health teams to ensure new products, packaging, and technologies are supported by robust thermal process design and validation
• Provide risk-based guidance that balances food safety, compliance, and innovation speed
• Convert learnings into scalable tools and best practices
• Act as Process Authority for research trials and manage site FDA filings to support innovation

Technical Assessment & Review

• Provide expert technical support during audits, food safety assessments, and site reviews across internal manufacturing sites, external manufacturers, and co-manufacturers
• Assess the robustness of process design, validation approaches, and supporting technical evidence
• Translate audit and assessment outcomes into system-level improvements, preventive actions, and strengthened thermal processing practices

Capability Building 

• Partner with the Thermal Processing Community Manager and Zone/Market experts to deploy standards consistently and strengthen technical capability across the network
• Define competency expectations and contribute to structured technical training, knowledge sharing, and capability development
• Develop advanced training content and support hands-on learning experiences that build practical expertise and ensure consistent application of thermal processing principles

Continuous Improvement 

• Identify systemic gaps through audits, deviations, and escalations
• Propose improvements to tools, standards, and training architecture
• Support the overall health and consistency of the thermal processing system

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Food Science, or related field (advanced degree preferred)
• 10+ years of experience in thermal process design and validation
• Strong knowledge of food safety, quality systems, and regulatory expectations
• Recognized authority in thermal processing
• Demonstrated ability to lead through influence across global, cross-functional teams
• Proven experience translating technical expertise into scalable systems, tools, and training
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills