Director, Project Engineering

Position Overview

This role represents a strategic leadership position responsible for overseeing extensive capital projects within a regional manufacturing network in the United States. The Director of Project Engineering will steer the planning, development, and successful implementation of complex projects aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, performance, and sustainable growth across manufacturing sites.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the full lifecycle of capital projects across multiple manufacturing facilities within the region.
• Control multi-million-dollar capital expenditure programs, ensuring optimal resource allocation, budgeting, and timely project completion.
• Collaborate closely with operations, engineering, finance, and site leadership to prioritize projects and develop strategic plans.
• Guide projects from initial concept through commissioning stages, adhering to schedules, budgets, safety, quality, and regulatory standards.
• Oversee coordination with external engineering consultants, contractors, equipment manufacturers, and vendors throughout project phases.
• Apply structured project management techniques including defining scopes, managing risks, controlling costs, scheduling effectively, and handling change management.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and coaching for project engineers and support teams.
• Work with facility leaders to reduce operational disruptions during project deployments.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, safety regulations, and environmental standards.
• Promote continuous improvement by identifying ways to optimize engineering and project execution processes.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a closely related technical field is mandatory.
• A minimum of 12 years overseeing large-scale capital projects in food manufacturing, industrial manufacturing, or comparable sectors.
• Preferred: Master’s degree in Engineering or related discipline.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or an equivalent credential is desirable.
• Proven knowledge in capital project management covering budgeting, cost control, scheduling, and overall execution.
• Experienced in managing external engineering firms, contractors, vendors, and suppliers.
• Familiarity with food safety standards, OSHA regulations, environmental compliance, and industrial safety practices.
• Strong leadership and communication capabilities, including negotiation and stakeholder coordination skills.
• Adept at managing multiple complex projects with priority on quality, safety, and business outcomes.
• Excellent problem-solving aptitude with effective decision-making in dynamic environments.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively (up to 70%), including occasional overnight stays.

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive annual salary ranging between $130,000 and $140,000.
• Comprehensive healthcare and medical insurance plans.
• 401(k) retirement savings program.
• Paid time off encompassing vacation, holidays, and parental leave.
• Access to professional development and leadership training initiatives.
• Opportunity to lead impactful engineering projects across a broad manufacturing network.
• Innovative, collaborative workplace culture emphasizing continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• A total rewards package designed to support employee health, well-being, and career progression.

Additional Information

The recruitment process utilizes AI technology to match candidates objectively to the position's core criteria, with final hiring decisions made by internal teams at the hiring organization. Applicants' personal data will be handled per applicable data protection laws, including GDPR. The use of AI tools assists in application review but does not replace human judgment.