Director of Engineering
We are seeking a highly organized and results-oriented Director of Engineering to lead capital projects, vendor partnerships, and engineering execution within a fast-growing food manufacturing organization. This role is ideal for a hands-on engineering leader who thrives in a dynamic environment, enjoys managing multiple priorities, and excels at bringing structure and accountability to complex projects.
Unlike traditional engineering leadership roles that focus heavily on technical design, this position is centered on project execution, capital planning, vendor management, and cross-functional coordination. The successful candidate will serve as the hub that keeps engineering initiatives moving forward while partnering closely with Operations, Finance, Maintenance, and Executive Leadership.
Responsibilities
- Capital Project Leadership
- Lead the planning, execution, and reporting of capital projects across manufacturing and facility operations.
- Develop and maintain project timelines, budgets, milestones, and risk assessments.
- Coordinate internal stakeholders to ensure projects remain on schedule and aligned with business priorities.
- Drive accountability and clear communication throughout project lifecycles.
- Provide regular updates to leadership regarding project status, budget performance, and resource needs. Vendor & Contractor Management
- Manage relationships with engineering firms, contractors, equipment suppliers, and service providers.
- Lead competitive bidding processes and evaluate vendor proposals.
- Negotiate project scope, timelines, and deliverables.
- Hold vendors accountable for performance, quality, safety, and project outcomes.
- Identify opportunities to improve vendor selection and procurement processes. Capital Budget Management
- Partner with Finance and Operations to develop and manage annual capital expenditure budgets.
- Track project spending against approved budgets and forecasts.
- Facilitate capital review meetings and provide leadership with clear project and financial updates.
- Prioritize projects based on business impact, operational needs, and strategic objectives. Engineering & Operational Support
- Support facility expansion, modernization, automation, and infrastructure improvement initiatives.
- Collaborate with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, and Supply Chain teams to identify and execute improvement opportunities.
- Assist with long-range facility planning, including future brownfield and greenfield expansion projects.
- Help create scalable systems and processes to support continued company growth. Leadership & Team Development
- Provide leadership, coaching, and direction to engineering resources as assigned.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Influence cross-functional teams without relying solely on direct authority.
- Serve as a trusted partner to senior leadership on engineering and capital planning initiatives.
Desired Skills and Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical discipline.
- 7+ years of engineering, project engineering, capital project, or engineering management experience within a manufacturing environment.
- Proven experience managing capital projects from concept through execution.
- Strong project management, organizational, and prioritization skills.
- Experience managing contractors, vendors, and external service providers.
- Experience developing and managing capital budgets.
- Food manufacturing experience.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management abilities.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
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