Associate Vice President Corporate Engineering

Nature's Path•Sussex, WI

About The Position

The Associate Vice President Corporate Engineering develops and optimizes food production processes and leads engineering projects, including new installations, upgrades, and equipment maintenance. The role ensures compliance with food safety regulations and industry standards, provides technical troubleshooting support, trains staff, and maintains process, procedure, and project documentation. The position develops and manages strategic capital plans aligned with corporate goals and long-term growth and sustainability. It owns delivery of a multi-year capital portfolio valued in the tens of millions of dollars, from business case through commissioning, with accountability for scope, budget, timelines, and vendor performance. The role tracks return on investment and reports project status and results to senior leadership. A key focus is supporting and optimizing AI-enabled x-ray inspection systems used to detect product defects and foreign materials. The role also uses machine vision and data analysis and works with Operations and Quality to maintain system accuracy, efficiency, and food safety compliance. The position must be based in Chicago, Illinois; Seattle, Washington; or Sussex, Wisconsin, and involves travel within North America, primarily to Sussex, Wisconsin, and Blaine, Washington.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Food Science, or a related field.
At least 7 years of experience in a food manufacturing environment.
Hands-on experience with AI-enabled technologies in a manufacturing environment.
Familiarity with machine vision systems, data analysis, and continuous improvement of AI algorithms in real-time production settings.
Strong project management skills.
Proficiency in CAD software.
Knowledge of food safety regulations, such as HACCP and FSMA.
Familiarity with automation and control systems.
Experience with process improvement methodologies, such as Lean or Six Sigma.
Must be based in Chicago, IL; Seattle, WA; or Sussex, WI.
Travel within North America is expected, primarily to Sussex, WI and Blaine, WA.

Responsibilities

Develop and optimize food production processes to improve efficiency, quality, and safety.
Lead and manage engineering projects, including new installations, upgrades, and equipment maintenance.
Ensure processes comply with food safety regulations and industry standards.
Identify improvement opportunities and implement solutions that increase productivity and reduce waste.
Provide technical support and troubleshoot production equipment and processes.
Train staff on new processes, equipment, and best practices.
Maintain accurate documentation of processes, procedures, and project plans.
Develop and manage strategic capital plans, identify capital investment opportunities, budget, and ensure alignment with corporate goals.
Own delivery of a multi-year capital portfolio valued in the tens of millions of dollars, from business case through commissioning, with accountability for scope, budget, timelines, and vendor performance.
Track return on investment and report project status and results to senior leadership.
Support and optimize AI-enabled x-ray inspection systems used to detect product defects and foreign materials.
Use machine vision and data analysis and contribute to continuous improvement of AI algorithms in real-time production settings.
Collaborate with Operations and Quality teams to ensure system accuracy, efficiency, and compliance with food safety standards.