VP Engineering
About SunOpta
SunOpta delivers customized supply chain solutions and innovation for top brands, retailers, and foodservice providers across a broad portfolio of beverages, broths, and better-for-you snacks. With over 50 years of expertise, SunOpta fuels customers' growth with high-quality, sustainability-forward solutions distributed through retail, club, foodservice, and e-commerce channels across North America.
Job Summary
The Vice President of Engineering is responsible for leading the company's engineering, maintenance, reliability, capital projects, process engineering, and project management functions across the food and beverage manufacturing network. Reporting as a senior leader, this role oversees the Director of Maintenance, Director of Process Engineering, Senior Director of Project Management, and Director of Engineering. The Vice President will establish the engineering strategy, build scalable systems and standards, strengthen asset reliability, and ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective operations that support business growth and operational excellence.
Essential Job Functions
Develop and execute the enterprise engineering strategy aligned with business objectives.
Lead capital planning and oversee the execution of the capital project portfolio from concept through startup.
Establish engineering standards, governance, and best practices that improve consistency, execution, and project delivery.
Drive process engineering initiatives that improve safety, quality, throughput, reliability, and cost performance.
Own the enterprise maintenance and reliability strategy, including preventive and predictive maintenance, asset management, maintenance planning, and spare parts strategy.
Standardize maintenance practices and performance metrics to improve equipment reliability and reduce downtime across all facilities.
Champion and mature the Project Management Office (PMO), including portfolio management, project governance, stage-gate processes, and reporting.
Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, Quality, Food Safety, R&D, and Procurement to deliver engineering solutions that support business priorities.
Ensure compliance with all food safety, quality, environmental, and workplace safety regulations.
Develop KPIs to measure engineering, maintenance, capital project, and reliability performance.
Build and develop a high-performing engineering organization through coaching, succession planning, and talent development.
Lead and develop direct reports while fostering collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership on capital investments, infrastructure, engineering strategy, and operational risk.
Manage relationships with engineering firms, contractors, and equipment suppliers to ensure successful project execution.
Supervisory Responsibilities
Director Maintenance
Director Process Engineering
Senior Director Project Management Office
Director Engineering
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Engineering required; Mechanical, Chemical, Industrial, Food Engineering, or related discipline preferred.
3-5 years of related employee benefits administration experience or a combination of education and experience.
15+ years of progressive engineering leadership experience in food, beverage, consumer packaged goods, or other regulated manufacturing environments.
Preferred Qualifications
MBA or advanced degree preferred.
Competencies
Proven success leading capital projects, engineering organizations, maintenance and reliability programs, and multi-site manufacturing operations.
Strong expertise in process engineering, manufacturing optimization, asset management, utilities, and project management.
Experience establishing engineering standards, PMO governance, and maintenance best practices.
Strong financial acumen, including capital planning, budgeting, and ROI analysis.
Deep knowledge of food safety, quality, environmental, and workplace safety requirements.
Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change, develop senior leaders, and build high-performing teams.
Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach to execution and problem solving.
Additional Considerations
Travel Requirements: Up to 25%, including visits to SunOpta manufacturing facilities.
Location: Onsite at SunOpta Headquarters, Eden Prairie, MN.
Work Environment: Approximately 95% of work is done in an office environment; 5% of work may be performed in a manufacturing environment.
Physical Demands: Prolonged periods of sitting and working at a computer, including frequent screen use and visual focus. Frequent use of hands and fingers for typing, mouse use, and handling documents or office equipment. Occasional standing, walking, bending, stretching, and reaching. Ability to lift and carry items up to 15-25 pounds. Sufficient verbal and auditory ability for communication in meetings, calls, and office settings.
Featured Benefits
Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Paid Family leave
Paid maternity leave
401(k) with Match
Voluntary Life, Accident, Critical Illness and hospital indemnity
Paid Holidays
Tuition assistance
Short-term and Long-term Disability insurance
Equal Opportunity Employer
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER EOE M/W/VET/DISABLED