JobsMondelez International

Senior Technical Lead Oven

Mondelez International · Chicago, IL

Posted Jul 29, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 20, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

Behavioral

Walk me through an oven or thermal process design project you led from concept through startup on the plant floor. What was your role and what did you actually deliver?

whether the candidate has genuine hands-on ownership of oven technology projects versus adjacent experience

Tell me about a time you had to troubleshoot a baking or oven-related quality issue that was affecting a product like a cookie or cracker. How did you find the root cause?

depth of practical process knowledge in bakery/thermal processing, not just theoretical engineering

Describe a project where you had to manage a budget, a tight timeline, and unexpected risk all at once. What gave first when something had to give?

realistic project management under constraint, not idealized planning skills

Tell me about a time you coached a junior engineer or technologist through a technical problem they couldn't solve alone. What did you actually teach them?

real mentoring capability versus a claimed people-development skill

Describe a waste reduction or efficiency project tied to oven or thermal process performance. How did you measure the win and what was the actual number?

whether results claims are backed by concrete, quantified outcomes

Tell me about a time your technical recommendation was rejected by leadership or a plant. What did you do next?

resilience and constructive persistence when influencing outcomes without formal authority

Technical

How do you approach a technical readiness level or TRAM review for a new oven technology being considered for a factory?

familiarity with the specific stage-gate innovation process this company uses, not generic project management

What statistical or simulation tools have you used to model oven performance or heat transfer, and can you give an example where the model changed a real design decision?

whether modeling experience is actually applied to decisions or just resume language

What's your experience with different oven types, convection, impingement, tunnel, and how do you decide which is right for a given product or line?

breadth and specificity of oven engineering knowledge across formats

What GMP and food safety considerations change the way you design or modify an oven compared to a general industrial process?

working knowledge of food manufacturing compliance versus generic engineering background

Situational

Say you're running a factory acceptance test on a new oven and the vendor's data doesn't match what you're seeing on the equipment. What do you do before it ships to the plant?

judgment and rigor around FAT/SAT protocols and willingness to hold vendors accountable

You're the SME on oven design and a plant team wants to make a change that speeds up the line but you think it risks product quality. How do you handle that conversation?

ability to influence without direct authority and hold technical ground under commercial pressure

Imagine you're visiting a plant overseas with a different culture and a team that's skeptical of a change you're proposing. How do you get buy-in?

cross-cultural influence and communication given the global, high-travel nature of the role

You've got three plants asking for your time on three different oven issues in the same week. How do you decide where you go first?

prioritization skill given the demanding travel and multi-site accountability of this role

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The full job description

As published by Mondelez International.

Job Description Are You Ready to Make It Happen at Mondelēz International? Join our Mission to Lead the Future of Snacking. Make It With Pride. Senior Technical Oven Lead will be strongly linked to global and regional Engineering agendas and deliver measurable results to each Business units and complete process deployment for waste reduction, incremental efficiency, and growth projects across Mondelez Factories with an emphasis on delivering the desired consumer experience. How you will contribute You will support development, optimization and specification of processes that deliver consumer benefit through new products, quality improvements and cost savings opportunities. You will develop project objectives, technical approach, project plans, deliverables, and timelines to deliver solutions on time and on budget, and execute against these plans, all while providing status updates to stakeholders. As a technical leader for oven design and functionality and other related process technologies, you will: continually evolve your business-relevant expertise; define and share technical best practices; influence technical direction for the benefit of the business and drive the technical development of people through teaching, coaching, and mentoring, and identifying future technical leaders. What you will bring ·   Project management skills that are action-orientated with a demonstrated ability to handle multiple, complex projects, prioritize, and manage budgets, risk and timelines. ·   Actively participate in technical readiness level (TRL/TRAM) reviews and discussions, site visits and related oven assessments, SATs, FATs, and other innovation initiatives. ·   Thinking and working globally. ·   Process background with a demonstrated understanding of statistical, modeling and simulation tools. ·   Collaborating with technical teams and junior talent to deliver on process innovations and renovations.   ·   Influencing the technical direction of the business to deliver benefit using organizational awareness and clear communication. ·   Ensure that foundational skills/capabilities keep pace with technology advancements. ·   You will work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment with at least 75% of your activities on the plant floor. Additional: ·      You will travel to various internal and external manufacturing sites   ·      Your contributions impact product quality, process performance, and cost. ·      You are trusted and viewed as subject matter expert (SME). ·     Creative resourceful solutions. ·     Collaborative spirit. ·       Positive / Can do Attitude. ·      Flexibility and agility ·      Open Communicator ·      Curious constant learner ·      Self-starter who is results oriented. Education / Certifications: ·         BS in Engineering or Food Science required. ·         7 years of industry experience required. ·         Standard PPE (steel toe slip resistant shoes, safety glasses, hearing protection) ·         Standard GMPs Required ·         Standing, Walking, climbing stairs. ·         Working in hot environments   Travel requirements: 70% Travel Required More about this role What you need to know about this position Education / Certifications:         BS in Engineering or Food Science required. ·         7 years of industry experience required. ·         Standard PPE (steel toe slip resistant shoes, safety glasses, hearing protection) ·         Standard GMPs Required ·         Standing, Walking, climbing stairs. ·         Working in hot environments Travel requirements: Work schedule: Salary and Benefits: The base salary range for this position is $109,000 to $149,875; the exact salary depends on several factors such as experience, skills, education and location. In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for participation in a highly competitive bonus program with possibility for overachievement based on performance and company results.

In addition, Mondelez International offers the following benefits: health insurance, wellness and family support programs, life and disability insurance, retirement savings plans, paid leave programs, education related programs, paid holidays and vacation time. Some of these benefits have eligibility requirements. Many of these benefits are subsidized or fully paid for by the company. No Relocation support available Business Unit Summary The United States is the largest market in the Mondelēz International family with a significant employee and manufacturing footprint. Here, we produce our well-loved household favorites to provide our consumers with the right snack, at the right moment, made the right way. We have corporate offices, sales, manufacturing and distribution locations throughout the U.S. to ensure our iconic brands—including Oreo and  Chips Ahoy! cookies, Ritz, Wheat Thins and Triscuit crackers, and Swedish Fish and Sour Patch Kids confectionery products —are close at hand for our consumers across the country.   Mondelēz Global LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. Applicants who require accommodation to participate in the job application process may contact 847-943-5460 for assistance. For more information about your Federal rights, please see  eeopost.pdf ; EEO is the Law Poster Supplement ; Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision ; Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal Job Type Regular Process Development & Engineering Science & Engineering

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