Regional Engineering Director

General Purpose:

Initiate, develop, manage and maintain long-range capital planning for manufacturing plants in the Cheese, Taste and Flavor and Dairy Powders divisions. Develop a rolling 5 year capex plan in collective collaboration with the teams of the designated plants that addresses safety, environmental, improved asset reliability, quality and hygiene, regulatory compliance and ROI improvements.

Coordination of projects with all stakeholders in the business such as leadership, plant team, management, and contractors. Apply DFA Engineering and project management standards in project design and execution. Support maintenance excellence corporate program implementation within designated locations. Share best practices across all DFA manufacturing sites.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop the long-range capital plan in collaboration with the designated plants and stakeholders following standards for budgeting with the purpose of maintaining or achieving safe and reliable operations without compromising quality or safety standards.
• Identify and include ROI projects with justification in long range capital plan that will improve overall plant performance.
• Coordinate timely and accurate preparation of (Board) capex proposals in line with DFA standard Capital Expenditure and Fixed Asset Policy
• Ensure annual capex plan is executed in full and on time
• Manage expense and capital projects via scope generation, competitive bids, project timeline, ensuring end deliverables are met for the business case. This is to include labor, repairs, maintenance expenses and outside contractor services
• Facilitate, through expansion, equipment and facility design or renovation, company goals and objectives of capacity, productivity, maintenance and efficiency
• In multi-disciplinary projects, use RASCI matrix to identify and agree on project responsibilities
• During project design and execution, always look for the most cost-effective solutions, without compromising safety and quality. For example, by re-using obsolete equipment or equipment purchased at auctions.
• Ensure DFA engineering standards are followed during design, construction and commissioning
• Manage and execute facility downtime coordination via scope schedule limiting the impact and risk to operations including startup and post project support for operations and maintenance
• Continually strive to optimize facility and manufacturing operating costs by providing best option technical solutions and/or utilizing best method analyses towards improving internal systems
• Utilize and share best practices across DFA manufacturing sites
• Ensure successful expense or capital project handoff ("operations readiness") to facility staff supporting operations and maintenance
• Lead and manage capital and expense projects at multiple locations as designated
• Support maintenance excellence corporate strategy that includes predictive and preventative maintenance programs at designated sites
• Communication to stakeholders following an escalation process if or when issues arise for alignment moving forward including standard updates
• The requirements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employee, but is not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Other duties may be assigned as required.

Location:

The preferred candidate will live in the central part of the US, near the Kansas City, KS area, or in Minnesota, with an easy access to an airport.

Travel:

50-75% (2-3+ weeks per month)

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering or a related degree; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 10+ years' experience in food manufacturing
• 5+ years' experience of technical engineering and project management in a manufacturing environment
• Certification and/or License - N/A

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Working knowledge of architectural, mechanical, electrical, and process engineering for food production facilities
• Working knowledge of power system design and maintenance plan, electrical one-line, schematics design, HMI programs PLC-5 / CLX programming, electrical equipment including Pump/VFD maintenance, and instrumentation
• Working knowledge of utility systems and technology (e.g., power system, water treatment, boiler house, NH3 and freon cooling system, air supply system)
• Knowledge of Historian, thin client and servers, SQL database, network communication, distribution switches
• Knowledge of Federal Drug Administration (FDA), GMP, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and EPA policies and regulations
• Knowledge of regulatory codes and translating into blueprints and schematics
• Knowledge of project management processes, techniques, and tools utilizing systems already established
• Advanced skills in root cause analysis, gap analysis, and planning actions
• Knowledge of ISO processes for engineering and quality assurance
• Strong developed analytical skills
• Negotiation skills
• Skilled in planning, organization, and analysis
• Skilled in contractor and vendor management
• Ability to develop scope, schedule, budget and lead plant capex projects
• Knowledge of continuous improvement tools and ability to use CI tools in projects
• Able to communicate at all levels clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Able to complete problem analysis and resolution
• Able to manage projects for multiple plants simultaneously
• Able to communicate and collaborate with diverse range of individuals to ensure needs and requirements are met
• Able to think creatively and develop short- and long-range innovation
• Must be able to read, write and speak English
• Understanding of financial modeling of capex proposals (ROI, NPV, PBT)
• Ability to use tools such as but not limited to, PowerPoint, Excel, Visio, AutoCAD, Microsoft Project, MS Teams, Zoom, WebEx
• Ability to provide engineering support to all stakeholders
• Ability to work and communicate effectively with different internal and external stakeholders including, but not limited to VP's, (Sr.) Directors, project managers, plant managers, vendors and government staff.

An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans