Director Engineering - Processing

CONAGRA•Chicago, IL

1d•$133,000 - $197,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting to the Senior Director Engineering, you will lead and develop a team of engineers responsible for end‑to‑end food manufacturing process design across more than 40 plants. You will provide enterprise technical leadership for process design, equipment specification, original equipment manufacturer selection, and detailed sequences of operation for new and modified manufacturing systems. You will be recognized internally and externally as a technical authority in food manufacturing process engineering, unit operations, and sanitary design, and you will influence decisions at the platform, business, and enterprise levels through strong communication and collaboration.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Biological Systems Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
Deep subject matter expertise in food manufacturing process design, process optimization, and sanitary design.
More than ten years of progressive experience in food manufacturing process engineering, with exposure to frozen and snack food unit operations preferred.
Experience working with equipment and regulatory expectations in a USDA environment is preferred.
Strong people leadership, written and verbal communication, and technical problem‑solving skills.
Demonstrated success providing both tactical and strategic project leadership.
Proven effectiveness working collaboratively within a matrixed organization.
This position is located in Omaha NE, Chicago IL, select field locations or remote locations Denver, CO and east and within reasonable proximity (50 miles) to a major airport
Willingness to travel up to 50% as business needs require.

Nice To Haves

exposure to frozen and snack food unit operations preferred.
Experience working with equipment and regulatory expectations in a USDA environment is preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead, coach, and develop a team of process engineering subject matter experts, building technical capability and strengthening succession.
Own the engineering design for new and modified food manufacturing processes, including unit operations, process flow, sanitation concepts, equipment selection, and sequences of operation.
Provide technical leadership to identify and advance key technologies, strategies, programs, and projects that increase reliability, food safety, quality, and manufacturing cost competitiveness.
Partner early with Research and Development, Quality and Food Safety, Operations, Supply Chain, and other stakeholders to evaluate multiple process scenarios and align on solutions.
Establish and drive standardization of process equipment and replicate best‑in‑class solutions across the enterprise.
Lead development and review of Front‑End Loading packages that are complete, clear, concise, and reflect thorough due diligence to support successful project execution.
Ensure Front‑End Loading packages include technology assessments, recommended solutions aligned with plant and enterprise best practices, general arrangement layouts, cost and schedule development, risk and startup requirements, and equipment or system performance criteria.
Guide the identification of alternatives, prerequisites, risks, and opportunities to inform business decisions.
Oversee development of detailed functional sequences of operation for processing and packaging unit operations.
Provide order‑of‑magnitude estimates to give the business a directional view of potential initiatives.
Stay current with emerging process engineering technologies, commercial applications, and applicable industry regulations and codes.