ROLE PURPOSE / POSITION SUMMARY:

Serve as the primary technical resource for assigned plant(s). Work with the regional and plant leadership teams to drive best in class performance in safety, quality, and productivity. Accountable for three key objectives:

• New business support
• Support leadership team in meeting plant and regional objectives
• Meet functional objectives

• Engineering resource allocation to deliver projects on-time/on-budget
• Engineering capex management for assigned plant(s)
• Engineering team and team member development
• Technical and project management leadership
• Maintenance organizational support

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES/PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prioritize human and food safety at all times
• Determine required engineering resources to effectively support the regional facilities
• Manage and mentor engineering resources
• Manage and mentor engineering resources
• Create improvement & reliability strategies leveraging input from a variety of sources, including production and maintenance personnel.
• Develop and lead change management through positive influence and alignment of various stakeholders (plant & corporate leadership, operators, mechanics, corporate support functions, etc.)
• Perform all phases of project management and engineering for manufacturing operations, including but not limited to: scope definition, design, budgeting, scheduling, line layouts, purchasing, cost estimating and control, implementation, system integration, documentation, report writing, start-up, and training.
• Apply understand of Good Manufacturing Practices for the food industry (sanitary practices) to engineering projects.
• Design and install safe manufacturing systems and processes.
• Select and manage outside engineering as required to meet customer, product, and capacity requirements. Selects and manages use of external vendors and contractors for engineering and maintenance-related projects.
• Stay abreast of technology enhancements within the industry.
• Support plant maintenance and operations by planning and implementing layouts of plant, office, and production equipment to provide maximum utilization of facilities and efficiency of production. Ensure equipment is maintained according to specifications. Develops projects and justification for capital improvements as applicable.
• Support cost reduction and efficiency improvement programs by participating and leading teams to review manufacturing operations and develop and implement recommendations. Facilitate improvement workshops and manages improvement projects.
• Support other engineering team members with training and development, assistance on engineering projects, providing specialized expertise as required.
• Serve as prime technical expert for assigned facilities. Build credibility and holds influence with Operations, Maintenance, Customers and vendors. Provide leadership and guidance to lower level Engineers and Technicians.
• Develop and deliver technical training for the various levels of the organization and serves as resource in cross-functional platform/technology/product teams.
• Develop and maintain material balances and unit operation capability information to ensure optimal production rates, parameters, and formulas.
• Primary plant technical liaison for any potential changes to plant manufacturing systems, including new products, materials and systems. Ensure that safety, quality and financial metrics are understood and accounted for in any proposed changes.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS/CAPABILIITY PROFILE

Minimum Education

• BS degree in an engineering field is required, with particular emphasis on Mechanical, Manufacturing, Facilities, and/or Maintenance Engineering.

Minimum Experience

• 5 years of demonstrated experience leading projects having both budget and timeline responsibilities.
• Experience with SolidWorks, AutoCAD or similar.
• Past contract manufacturing experience preferred
• Experience in food industry or other short shelf-life environment preferred
• Experience in a high growth and dynamic environment

Minimum Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Strong communication skills, in all forms
• Strong technical knowledge
• Ability to manage multiple & conflicting priorities
• Influence & persuasion skills
• Working knowledge of lean principles
• Strong organization and analytical skills
• Proven experience in leveraging integrated equipment and technology to execute and deliver business solutions
• Ability to work with ambiguity and to communicate complex issues in a clear manner
• A continuous improvement mindset, never satisfied with the status quo
• Strong verbal, listening and presentation skills
• Positive influence skills
• Empathy
• Intellectual curiosity
• Familiarity with data collection systems a plus