Director, Engineering Services

Position Purpose

The Director of Engineering Services is accountable for the automation strategy, project management, capital program management, reliability and other related engineering areas in line with business needs. The role will support the bakeries in the management of large and complex capital projects meeting objectives for safety, schedule, budget, maintaining sanitary design of equipment, and with an end result of meeting or exceeding design performance requirements. In addition, the role will provide support to the bakeries to enhance existing equipment reliability as measured by downtime, adherence to production standards, and service response times. This position will also develop and lead execution of the company wide automation strategy.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for developing and leading execution of a bakery equipment automation strategy for the company.
• Directly responsible for all elements of project management from BOD to commissioning and handover and ensures that all project objectives are met on schedule, safely and within budgetary limits. Project management duties include:
• Scheduling, budgeting, coordinating project objectives within budgetary limits and reporting status.
• Vendor and equipment investigation, selection, price negotiation, coordination, and procurement efforts related to projects.
• CER development and submission, including the development of presentations to facilitate funding approvals.
• Preparation and review of scope documents, job specifications and drawings.
• Supervising contractors in the execution of projects and in the commissioning and handover to Operations
• Facilitates project reviews and stakeholder meetings and provides the necessary reports on project progress and budget status.
• Utilizes systematic approach for project management and promotes the use of tools for continuous improvement.
• Works across Regional boundaries and provides support to local Bakery Operations and Maintenance Teams to ensure the timely completion of small budget projects.
• Manages regional multiyear Capital Program, including plan development and regular reporting on project status, commitments, and spending.
• Supervises Engineering resources in the execution of project management activities and provides mentoring and development activities for same.
• Interacts with Business Units and Division Supply Chain teams, along with Corporate Support Services, to share best practices, upgrade common work processes, and provide feedback on vendor and equipment performance and input for continuous improvement.

Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• Experience of 10 years of reliability engineering and project management in food engineering.
• Experience developing and successfully executing automation projects in high speed manufacturing.
• Experience leading engineering teams both at the corporate and operations levels.
• The leadership style and mental agility to move effectively between strategic roles and hands-on execution roles.
• Successful leadership over a diverse types of capital projects from simple to complex. Ability to manage projects from feasibility thru start up and performance validation.
• Knowledge of current personnel safety, food safety, environmental and regulatory compliance issues related to manufacturing and in the food industry.
• Experience applying engineering knowledge cross-functionally to support new food development and commercialization in specialty foods categories.

Education, Technical Qualifications, Experience and Competencies Proficiency Level

Required

Candidates considered for the Director of Engineering Services role at Aspire will have outstanding interpersonal skills and leadership traits. In order to be successful at Aspire, candidates must be highly results-oriented, driven, focused and able to balance multiple priorities and issues in a fast-paced global environment. They will possess an exceptional level of intellectual, professional and interpersonal agility and flexibility, combined with strong analytical and strategic problem solving skills. They will have the ability to collaborate while at the same time having the initiative to drive for results. Of critical importance will be the ability to know when to finish analysis and transition to implementation. The Director of Engineering Services must be a team player with a balanced ego and an approachable style.

Candidates will also have a strong affinity and passion for the business and the customers that Aspire serves each and every day. Finally, they must possess exceptional integrity and ethics.

Preferred

• B.S. Engineering (prefer Mechanical, Electrical, or Automation)

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Regularly required to climb, stand or walk for extended periods of time.
• Use a computer keyboard and monitor more than 25% of total work time.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts and is occasionally exposed outside weather conditions, wet and/or humid conditions, and extreme cold.
• The noise level in the work environment is often moderate to loud.
• Ability to work different shifts and weekends on occasion.
• The role could involve 50-75% travel depending on projects.