Director of Engineering (Food Manufacturing Plants)

The Original Cakerie•Aurora, CO

About The Position

Dessert Holdings is seeking a Director of Engineering based in Aurora, Colorado, or ideally near one of its production facilities. The role requires travel to sites as needed for projects, with travel of up to 75% throughout the United States and Canada. Reporting to the VP of Engineering & Reliability and coordinating with Corporate and Site Management teams, the Director provides technical and professional leadership for project management and engineering across ten food manufacturing plants. The Director is responsible for capital projects and for identifying, evaluating, and championing new manufacturing opportunities and emerging technical advancements. The position calls for initiative in identifying opportunities, achieving engineering standardization, and implementing asset and process best practices across the company’s manufacturing facilities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or an equivalent technical degree; substantial applicable experience may also be considered.
10–15 years of engineering leadership with progressive technical and/or management experience, including project management and extensive food manufacturing experience.
Ability to travel up to 75% throughout the United States (8 sites) and Canada (2 sites).
Hands-on approach to problem-solving, with creative solutions and ability to handle ambiguity.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Ability to understand business implications of decisions and align work with strategic goals.
Ability to prioritize and plan work activities and set goals, timelines, and objectives.
Original thinking, creativity, and resourcefulness to generate innovative approaches and ideas.
Ability to create and drive automation opportunities, including robotic manufacturing capability.
Leadership skills and ability to manage and communicate effectively with engineers, construction personnel, project managers, clients, and executives.
Demonstrated proficiency in Word, Excel, Gantt, PowerPoint, AutoCAD, and project planners.
Familiarity with controls, process, packaging, electrical, mechanical, and refrigeration systems.
Knowledge of Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing principles.

Responsibilities

Provide engineering counsel and leadership for multiple facilities and internal and external project engineers.
Manage and execute all facets of capital projects, including building expansions and capacity expansions involving brownfield and greenfield projects.
Identify and champion capital and non-capital cost-reduction projects through process or equipment improvements, automation, and robotics opportunities.
Define technology and manufacturing capabilities to support new business and product line extensions.
Help develop the 3- and 5-year capital plan, including originating capital appropriation requests, developing project schedules and work teams, writing contracts, coordinating project activities, controlling project funds, and implementing startup and training procedures as needed.
Prepare capital project studies, proposals, estimates, technical reports, capital requirements, and cash-flow information in the approved CEA format.
Assist with planning and construction of new facilities, including developing packages; creating equipment and construction specifications; establishing and tracking project budgets and utility utilization; addressing EPA and OSHA requirements and GMP knowledge; and writing and justifying projects.
Administer project bid documents and assist with awarding contracts to outside vendors, architects, and engineers.
Create and maintain engineering records, including equipment records and manuals, drawings and diagrams, inspection reports, and legal records required by relevant agencies.
Maintain effective reporting and communication with appropriate people inside and outside the plant.
Work with outside agencies, including OSHA, EPA, and FDA, to help ensure plant compliance with current regulations.