Bakery Technical Services Specialist (R&D)

Job Description

Job Description

About Sara Lee

Sara Lee Frozen Bakery became a stand- alone company in 2018 when it was purchased by Kohlberg and Company (private equity) from Tyson Foods. Our desserts have always stood for incredible flavor and superior value in the frozen food aisle and away from home markets. The Sara Lee Frozen Bakery collection of top brands includes Sara Lee®, Chef Pierre®, Bistro Collection®, Superior on Main® and Cyrus O’Leary’s®.

Sara Lee Frozen Bakery is proud to take these iconic brands into a new era and to continue the evolution that transformed one small Chicago bakery into an American institution. Using carefully sourced ingredients and time-honored recipes, the company is committed to making life’s moments a little sweeter, putting its customers first and discovering new ways to make everyone’s favorite foods even better. 

Working for Sara Lee

Our vision is to be the world’s most beloved bakery by creating irresistible foods, growing with our customers, and delivering value for all. We will achieve success through collaboration and innovation in an environment where employees feel empowered to execute with speed. We believe that each of us has unique points of difference and experience to offer. We believe that there is always a better way, and we will never be satisfied with status quo. If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, continually seek process improvements and a strong sense of customer service, then this is the right type of environment for you.

Summary: 

The Technical Services Specialist serves as an embedded R&D technical resource within the bakery, connecting product and process expertise to successful manufacturing execution. The role independently leads assigned bakery technical activities and partners closely with Bakery Operations, R&D, FSQA, Engineering, Supply Chain, Continuous Improvement/TPM, and other cross-functional teams to support trials and commercialization, day-to-day production, process and equipment changes, supply challenges, cost savings, and continuous improvement.

The Technical Services Specialist translates technical knowledge into repeatable manufacturing processes and sustainable bakery capability. This includes leading assigned product and process trials, supporting CQV and validation, partnering with R&D Developers and Packaging Engineers to establish product and process specifications, supporting first production, and carrying out process optimization, structured troubleshooting and root cause analysis, manufacturing documentation, standard work, and technical training.

The role serves as a key technical liaison between R&D and the bakery, proactively identifying improvement opportunities, leading assigned commercialization and value-creation initiatives, and recognizing manufacturing risks and capability gaps. The specialist partners with Technical Services leadership and senior technical colleagues as needed to resolve complex challenges, contributes to common technical practices, and implements approved standards within the bakery. Through knowledge transfer, technical problem solving, and strong bakery partnerships, the role helps improve production readiness, reduce operational risk and variability, and ensure the long-term success of products and processes within the bakery. This is an individual contributor role with no required direct reports. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• As a member of the innovation team, partner with R&D and cross-functional teams to align assigned bakery technical activities with project objectives, supporting new product introductions, reformulations, and supply chain improvement initiatives.
• Partner with R&D Developers and Packaging Engineers to translate formulas, product requirements, and packaging requirements into repeatable manufacturing processes.
• Coordinate trial planning and prework to enable successful plant trial execution, including alignment on objectives, materials, documentation, resources, timing, and success criteria.
• Lead assigned investigations of product and process issues using structured problem-solving, data collection, root cause analysis, and sustainable corrective actions. Engage Technical Services leadership and senior technical colleagues for advanced support as needed on complex or recurring issues. 
• Proactively identify manufacturing risks, process gaps, and opportunities to improve product consistency, process capability, efficiency, and production readiness. Recommend actions and escalate issues requiring broader technical assessment or decisions.
• Support Continuous Improvement and TPM initiatives by providing product and process expertise, contributing to technical milestones and success metrics, and verifying that improvements remain effective in bakery execution.
• Provide technical support for equipment changes, line modifications, product transfers, commissioning, and capital projects, with early involvement where product or process capability may be impacted.
• Support ingredient and supplier changes, material shortages, cost-savings initiatives, and other supply continuity needs through appropriate technical evaluation and validation.
• Develop, maintain, and improve technical documentation and standard work for assigned products and processes, including Manufacturing Instructions, Batch Sheets, Bakery Specifications, EXP BOMs, OPLs, SOPs, and other manufacturing standards.
• Coordinate alignment of formulas, BOMs, specifications, and manufacturing information across applicable business systems, including Optiva and NetSuite.
• Partner with FSQA and Operations to establish clear product and process acceptance criteria, including specifications, photo standards, sensory expectations, and other measurable requirements.
• Develop and deliver technical training and knowledge transfer to bakery teams across shifts as needed, including product, process, mixing, and equipment-related training.
• Capture and share learnings across products, projects, and bakeries; contribute to common technical practices, and apply relevant improvements within the assigned bakeries.
• Communicate project objectives, status, risks, timelines, decisions, and technical requirements effectively to Technical Services leadership, bakery leadership and cross-functional partners.
• Other duties as assigned.

The position responsibilities outlined above are not to be construed as all encompassing. Other duties and responsibilities may be required and/or assigned as necessary.

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• Technical degree in Food Science, Process Engineering, Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, or related field preferred.
• Experience in bakery production, bakery QA, or food manufacturing is highly recommended.
• Minimum of 5 years of work experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally and communicate effectively across multiple levels of the organization.
• Strong organizational, project management, and team leadership skills.
• Ability to influence and drive alignment without direct authority.
• Excellent problem-solving, root cause analysis, and data analysis skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong technical writing and documentation skills.
• Strong computer skills, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Experience with manufacturing, ERP, and PLM systems preferred.
• Project management training or experience preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to wear personal protective equipment while performing job duties, including safety glasses, ear plugs, bump cap, hair net, steel toe rubber boots, autoclave gloves, and goggles.
• May be required to work in hot or cold environments with varying noise levels.
• Must be able to stand, walk, bend, push, or pull for the duration of a shift, which may last up to 12 hours.
• Must be able to support flexible production schedules, including occasional shift coverage or specific trial schedules.
• May be required to lift up to 50 pounds.
• May work in production or warehouse storage areas.
• May be required to climb ladders or stairs.

Travel: Approximate 0-10% travel required and ability to safely and effectively walk the facilities and grounds.

Benefits & Compensation:

Sara Lee Frozen Bakery offers a competitive compensation and benefits package designed to support your whole-life well-being. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, tax-advantaged savings accounts (HSA/FSA), a 401(k) plan with company match, company-paid life and disability insurance, and access to wellness resources such as virtual healthcare and an employee assistance program. Employees are also provided a generous paid-time off program including company-paid holidays.

Compensation is based on factors such as experience, education, skills, and role scope, ensuring a fair and competitive salary aligned with market standards. - $90,000-$120,000 + bonus.

Sara Lee Frozen Bakery provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.