Plant Engineer

Founded in 1954, Vibrant Ingredients is a leading provider of natural, clean label ingredients and systems that power extraordinary food and beverage experiences. The company's broad portfolio — including natural flavors, botanical extracts, functional nutrition, cold brew coffee, tea essences, and food protection solutions — enhances taste, texture, color, shelf life, and performance across a wide range of applications. Vibrant operates four state-of-the-art facilities across the United States and works with leading brands, manufacturers, and foodservice operators. With vertically integrated capabilities and a proven track record of innovation and execution, Vibrant helps customers accelerate to market without compromise.

About the role:

We are a trusted partner to our customers when it comes to innovation and an industry leader in clean label ingredients, we are a true partner. We collaborate with our customers in ways that respect people and the environment. A commitment to Purely Better drives our innovation team to discover new, on trend solutions.

As the Plant Engineer, you will ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of our Indianapolis food and beverage manufacturing facility. You will drive continuous improvement initiatives, optimize plant processes, lead capital projects, and maintain compliance with safety and food safety programs to support operational excellence.

How will you contribute:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. Essential job functions and duties include, but are not limited to:

• Ensure plant processes adhere to Safety and Quality standards, addressing gaps proactively.
• Support plant Safety and Quality programs, including root-cause investigations for incidents or equipment failures.
• Analyze operations to identify opportunities for profit enhancement through waste reduction, yield improvement, and efficiency (OEE) gains.
• Plan, design, and lead capital projects—including cost/benefit analysis, construction management, and commissioning.
• Support the Maintenance team in developing and maintaining RCM/preventative maintenance plans to reduce downtime.
• Drive continuous improvement through data analysis and cross-functional collaboration.
• Provide technical guidance to resolve day-to-day operational issues.
• Develop and implement standard operating procedures to ensure process consistency.
• Collaborate with R&D, Production, and Quality on startup, trial, and optimization activities.
• Support development and execution of company ESG initiatives.

Minimum Requirements/Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a core Engineering discipline (Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical).
• 5+ years of experience in industrial or food manufacturing environments.
• Proficiency in MS Office (especially Excel), MS Project (or equivalent), and CAD.
• Lean / Six Sigma certification preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of food processing equipment, automation, and sanitary design principles.
• Familiarity with GMP, HACCP, FDA, USDA, and food industry regulations.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• Hands-on, high-energy, and detail-oriented with a strong sense of urgency.

Work Environment:

• May involve exposure to allergens such as Soy, Wheat, Fish, Shellfish, Milk, Egg, Tree Nuts and Sesame.

What Vibrant Ingredients can offer you:

• Generous time off for vacations
• Paid Holidays
• 401(k) with company match
• Tuition reimbursement
• Medical/Dental/Vision
• Health & Wellness programs

More about us:

Vibrant Ingredients, headquartered in Lake Mary, FL, is one of the world's leading independent providers of natural ingredients. With a legacy spanning over 70 years, we deliver a diverse portfolio of clean label ingredients and innovative system solutions to the food and beverage industry. Our commitment to quality and performance is reflected in our American-made products, which enhance both taste and functionality. Backed by advanced manufacturing capabilities, we specialize in fermentation, patented cold brew extraction, custom flavor development, and a range of drying and blending technologies. Operating from four state-of-the-art facilities strategically located across the U.S., we ensure the accessibility of real, high-quality ingredients—helping our customers create better-for-you food and beverage for consumers.

"Improving the food and beverages consumed by providing real ingredients from nature that work."

This position is currently classified as on-site.

Employees are eligible to participate in Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, 401(k), Holidays, Vacation, Tuition Reimbursement Program.

The final salary offered for this position may take into account a number of factors including, but not limited to, location, skills, education, and experience.

The Company reserves the right to modify, update, change and/or make corrections to this job description, at the sole discretion of senior management, at any time during the employee's employment term, at the sole discretion of management.

EEO Statement

Vibrant Ingredients is an equal opportunity employer committed to employing a diverse workforce and providing accommodations for people with disabilities in all parts of the hiring process as required under its Employment Accommodation Policy. Vibrant Ingredients will work with applicants to meet accommodation needs that are made known to Vibrant Ingredients in advance.

**Please no external recruiters**