VICE PRESIDENT, ENGINEERING - Food Manufacturing

Vice President, Engineering - Direct Hire

Location: Western Washington, WA
Travel: Up to 50% (including remote Alaska and multi-state facilities)
Compensation: Starts from $230,000 Performance Incentives
Industry: Food Manufacturing / Cold-Chain / Large-Scale Industrial Operations

Recruitment Partner: Raizan Solutions LLC – Executive Recruiting Company.

Summary

The Vice President of Engineering is the executive leader responsible for all engineering, maintenance, infrastructure, and major capital projects across a large, multi-site food manufacturing and fleet-based operation. This role oversees the engineering functions supporting factories, processing facilities, port operations, and vessel maintenance, ensuring safe, compliant, and high-performing environments across geographically dispersed locations.

This position is ideal for a senior executive with deep experience in plant engineering, maritime or vessel support (preferred), regulatory compliance, large-scale capital investments, and multi-site technical leadership.

Essential FunctionsFacility, Factory & Port Engineering Leadership

• Oversee the development and execution of comprehensive facility and factory maintenance programs across all domestic locations.
• Establish, maintain, and enforce policies and SOPs related to maintenance, utilities, HVAC, permitting, and regulatory compliance.
• Direct major and minor facility infrastructure upgrades, ensuring alignment with operational and safety requirements.
• Lead port-based engineering activities, including maintenance and repair operations supporting vessels and dockside facilities.
• Ensure timely execution of repair cycles, refits, dry-docking, and emergency mechanical interventions.
• Maintain strict compliance with environmental, safety, maritime, and engineering regulatory standards.

Capital Projects – Planning, Analysis & Execution

• Identify, prioritize, and plan major capital initiative needs across factories, ports, and fleet support operations.
• Prepare detailed ROI, gap analyses, and risk assessments to support strategic investment decisions.
• Develop valuation models and present business cases to executive leadership and board-level stakeholders.
• Initiate and manage project risk reviews, security evaluations, and hazard assessments in partnership with Safety.
• Oversee procurement, vendor selection, contractor performance, and adherence to project guidelines and timelines.
• Review, approve, and monitor budgets, requisitions, invoices, and project deviations to ensure scope control.

Team Leadership & Organizational Development

• Set and communicate engineering goals aligned with company strategy and long-term operational needs.
• Collaborate with HR to assess organizational structure, right-size teams, and build bench strength for critical roles.
• Identify high-potential engineering leaders and establish training, certification, and advancement pathways.
• Foster a high-performance culture centered on safety, technical excellence, predictive maintenance, and continuous improvement.

Minimum RequirementsRequired Qualifications

• 12 years of progressive engineering leadership, including responsibility for facilities, factory operations, and preventative maintenance.
• Strong knowledge of HVAC, utilities, permitting, environmental compliance, and regulatory requirements.
• Experience with major capital project justification, financial modeling, ROI evaluation, and risk mitigation.
• Demonstrated ability to lead both land-based and port-side engineering operations; maritime experience strongly preferred.
• Proven leadership and team development skills with experience managing multi-site teams.
• Excellent communication, executive presentation capabilities, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 50%, including remote cold-climate locations.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Engineering or Business Administration.
• Experience in cold-chain food manufacturing or fleet-supported industrial operations.
• Previous maritime, vessel support, or shipyard engineering experience.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $230,000 – $280,000
• 30% MIP (annual bonus potential)
• 20% VSP (long term incentive plan - annual grants valued at 20% of annual salary, each grant with a 4-year cliff vest)
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, HSA/HRA options, telemedicine, long-term disability, and life insurance.
• 401(k) with employer match.
• PTO beginning at 20 days per year plus 10 paid holidays.
• Paid parental leave and commuter/transit benefits.

Work Environment

• Primarily onsite with potential for remote work on Fridays.
• Travel up to 50% to multi-state facilities, remote sites, and vessel support operations.
• Exposure to cold, wet, high-decibel manufacturing and port environments, as well as machinery, elevated work areas, and marine operations.

About Raizan Solutions LLC

Raizan Solutions LLC is a Michigan-based recruiting firm specializing in Engineering talent acquisition nationwide. We proudly support our clients by connecting them with highly skilled professionals who drive operational excellence and strategic growth.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $230,000.00 per year

Experience:

• Food industry: 5 years (Required)
• Ammonia refrigeration: 5 years (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Norfolk, NE 68701: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $230,000 - $280,000