Process Engineering Lead (m/f/d)

About Ingredion

Join Ingredion, where innovation impacts lives worldwide! Without even realizing it, you’ve experienced our work in your favorite chocolate, your pet’s food, the paper you write on, and your everyday snacks. As a global powerhouse across more than 60 industries, we harness the potential of natural ingredients to transform lives. Whether you’re just starting your career or bringing years of experience, there's a place for you here to make a real difference. Be part of our team that values a wide range of perspectives and is committed to shaping a better world with every product we create.

Location: Hamburg
Workplace Type: Hybrid

Join our Hamburg manufacturing site as Process Engineering Lead (m/f/d) and help shape safe, sustainable and cost-effective process improvements for one of Ingredion’s key European production locations.

As a Process Engineering Lead (m/f/d), you will lead process performance, technical problem solving and the development of safe, sustainable and cost-effective improvement solutions for the Hamburg manufacturing site. This role reports to the Plant Manager Hamburg and leads a team of 6 Process Engineers and Process Specialists.

What you will do

• Identify, develop and deliver safe, cost-effective and sustainable improvement solutions based on operations data analysis, root cause analysis, audits and performance trends.
• Support Lean Six Sigma and IPS tools and methodologies in alignment with the IPS Manager Europe, prioritizing resources and validating improvement results.
• Lead, coach and develop the team of Process Engineers and Process Specialists, setting clear priorities, allocating resources and ensuring effective operational support.
• Build structured routines for action management, technical exchange, succession planning and capability development across the technical organization.
• Collaborate closely with Production, Maintenance, Quality, EHS, European Engineering, IPS, Digital & Automation and global Process Engineering networks.
• Define technical requirements, develop business cases and coordinate capital projects with Engineering and Operations teams, including new products and production processes.
• Identify and evaluate new technologies, digital solutions and process innovations that improve safety, reliability, capacity, quality, energy efficiency and environmental performance.

What you will bring

• Master’s degree in Engineering.
• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in Process Engineering, Operations Excellence or Manufacturing Engineering.
• Proven experience leading people, technical teams or cross-functional improvement programs.
• Strong experience in structured problem solving, root cause analysis and data-based performance improvement.
• Strong industry knowledge in Engineering and Production.
• Fluency in German and English, both written and spoken.
• Six Sigma skills at Green Belt level or above are desirable.
• Knowledge of food safety requirements and process safety is desirable.

Who you are

• An empathetic leader with strong communication, motivation and assertiveness skills.
• Proactive and results‑driven, with the ability to translate operational and business needs into prioritized improvement actions.
• Technically strong, with an analytical, data- and fact-oriented working style.
• Structured, conceptual and strategic in how you approach problem solving, priorities and stakeholder alignment.

Why Join Ingredion?

Discover why Ingredion is the ideal place to advance your career with our exceptional rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive. Create the future with us and enjoy:

• Flexible Work Arrangements – We value flexibility to support you both professionally and personally.
• Total Rewards Package – Competitive salary and performance-based pay recognizing your contributions to our success.
• Generous Vacation Policy – Take advantage of 30 vacation days each year, plus two additional holidays on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
• Comprehensive Benefits & Wellness Support – Access health benefits, EGYM Wellpass membership, savings plans, and resources for your well-being, plus perks like a Deutschland Ticket, free parking, and secure bicycle accommodations.
• Career Growth – Learning, training, and development opportunities.
• Employee Recognition Program – A culture of real-time appreciation, with personalized recognition rewards globally.
• Employee Referral Program – Refer top talent and earn a bonus if they’re hired.
• Company Pension Plan – Secure your future with financial support for retirement.
• Company Events – Join in on our Christmas party, family day, or Sustainability Day for fun and connection.

Privacy Notice

The Applicant Privacy Notice explains how Ingredion uses applicants’ personal data and outlines their rights in relation to the use of this data for recruitment purposes.

It applies to applications submitted through Ingredion’s career websites and through third parties, such as recruitment agencies, job boards, post or e-mail.

We value diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, military status or disability status.

Ingredion offers support to applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If an applicant requires accommodation during the application or selection process, we will work with them to meet their needs. Find further information here:

Relocation Available: No

Ingredion uses AI-enabled tools to support parts of the recruitment process, including resume screening and interview scheduling. These tools help match candidate skills to job requirements and streamline communication. All AI-assisted decisions are reviewed by our Talent Acquisition team to ensure fairness and compliance with applicable laws. By applying, you acknowledge that AI may be used to support your application journey.

We are a leading global, plant-based ingredients solutions company. We make sweeteners, starches, nutrition ingredients and biomaterials that are used by customers in everyday products from foods and beverages to paper and pharmaceuticals. At Ingredion, we embrace possibilities and inspire each other to think big. Together, we are reimagining how we can make life better through our differentiated ingredients and innovative solutions. We share an inspiring purpose — to make life better, for our colleagues, our customers, our communities, and the world. We belong to a culture of bold innovators, of people who believe that their skills, creativity, and passion can deliver solutions that can enhance people’s lives. We create what's next, transforming our imagination into innovation. We have a welcoming and collaborative environment to build and grow a career in a multinational company. Here, everyone can be their authentic selves and be part of a community of talented and caring people, interacting with professionals around the world, made up of varied backgrounds, cultures and industries. We are encouraged to think differently and innovate through collaboration and experimentation. We are constantly imagining new ways to bring value to our customers, through new ingredients, solutions, and ways of working.