Director, Beverage Engineering

Accomplished engineering professional who can manage capital projects with budgets of up to $50 million dollars across multiple sites, working independently in a fast-paced project environment. Skilled in communicating, managing, and negotiating with all levels of plant and corporate operations, management, finance, QA, Research & Innovation, Tech Services, and directing efforts of preferred vendors, contractors, A/E’s, and integrators. This role will lead a team of plant engineers located across the United States.

Responsibilities

• Effectively manage and develop beverage-based capital improvement projects up to $50 million facilitated through preferred suppliers, contractors, A/E’s, and integrators at multiple factory locations.
• Lead and manage a team of up to 6 engineers based in multiple factory locations.
• Interface with all levels of plant and corporate personnel, including marketing, Research & Innovation, QA, and legal departments.
• Provide engineering leadership through all phases of projects to deliver initiatives, throughput, and improvements in quality, cost, and reliability.
• Manage Design Build Engineering Firms for detailed engineering, construction management, and installation.
• Oversee onsite contractors to ensure safety, quality, timeliness, and acceptability while minimizing change orders.
• Develop relationships and action plans with plant managers, maintenance personnel, and operators to integrate capital projects seamlessly into production.
• Manage concurrent multiple projects and negotiate contracts, performance guarantees, payment terms, and cost-sharing with contractors and the internal legal department.
• Monitor contract compliance throughout the project life cycle.
• Manage the overall project budget, including accurate cash flow through purchase orders and invoice receiving using SAP.
• Delegate project tasks to ensure key project initiatives, scope, budget, and timelines are met.
• Utilize contracted resources to ensure the correct expertise is applied to achieve project scope.
• Provide technical expertise with food and beverage technologies, including technical leadership in scope, design, alternatives analysis, layout, equipment selection, training, procedures, installation, startup, performance acceptance, and turnover to plant operations.
• Lead capital project teams to achieve excellence in project execution and ensure all project success criteria are met.
• Generate estimates, write Capital Appropriation Requests (CAR), and manage project budgets.
• Manage the RFQ/RFP process, negotiate contracts, and issue purchase orders for materials, equipment, and services.
• Own the invoicing and closeout of all CapEx expenditures.
• Develop, review, and maintain engineering design standards.
• Own the project execution plan, establish startup criteria, and manage engineering, construction, and operations resources from design through qualification.
• Manage the critical path of the project schedule and escalate issues that may cause delays.
• Partner with operations on coordination of install dates, staffing changes, SOPs, and training.
• Facilitate process feasibility studies and plant operations impact studies, including design concepts, plant layouts, and capital estimates.
• Analyze, compare, and recommend process engineering proposals.
• Lead, coach, develop, and mentor direct reports of all experience levels.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in an engineering discipline from an accredited college or university.
• Ten or more years in engineering project management, including five years in CPG beverage/food manufacturing (strongly preferred).

Skills

• Strong leadership, problem-solving, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to reduce complex problems to simple solutions.
• Solid engineering technical base with broad corporate and plant experience.
• Strong general knowledge of plant operations.
• Exposure to ESL, aseptic, and food safety regulations (PMO, 3A, and FDA).
• Experience with beverage packaging and processing.
• Technical expertise in electrical, instrumentation, and automation controls.
• Experience with dairy processing, batching, packaging lines, utilities, maintenance, and building construction.
• Proficiency with P&IDs, block and process flow diagrams, change and design management.
• Knowledge of TPM, Six Sigma, and Lean Manufacturing.
• Experience managing engineering/construction contractor interfaces and capital management systems.
• Skilled at dealing with divergent opinions within project teams and external resources.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $150,000.00 - $220,000.00 USD. The exact salary offered will depend on several factors, including the candidate’s relevant experience, geographic location, internal equity, and market conditions. Additionally, a performance-based bonus is offered.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage with an 80%/20% cost-sharing model.
• Unlimited flexible time off and hybrid work schedules.
• Fitness discounts and mental health/substance abuse support programs.
• Performance-based bonus and 401(k) plan.
• Tuition reimbursement and employee discount programs.
• Voluntary perks and financial support programs.
• Caretaker benefits, 18 weeks of paid parental bonding leave, fertility, surrogacy, and adoption benefits.
• Pet insurance.

Schedule

This is a hybrid position requiring regular reporting to an assigned office location at least 3 days per week, with flexibility to work from home as agreed upon with your supervisor.