Director of Engineering

Scope of Position

The Director of Engineering & Maintenance will provide leadership and expert advice on all production maintenance department oversight, take pride in working in a fast-paced, constantly growing frozen food manufacturing startup, and thrive in a transparent and collaborative environment.

In this newly created role, the Director of Engineering & Maintenance will project manage, using Gantt charts or similar, future capacity-driven equipment and production line installations including line layout, capital requirements, working with inspection, permitting, 3rd party vendors to ensure all permits and regulations are in order. Provides engineering, scientific, and personnel management over the engineering/maintenance department. Advises leadership towards establishing the process technology roadmap and short-term and long-term strategic Company goals. Tracks resource loading across engineering/maintenance, and maps progress towards achieving goals.

This role is Full-time on-site in Sumner. 80% of time required to be on the floor and 20% office hours. Reports to the Head of Manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Create and ensure ongoing adherence to scheduled maintenance program for all production equipment including filling, processing, cooking and packaging lines and facility equipment including ammonia systems, boilers, water treatment systems, air compressors, evaporators, stormwater systems, motorized doors, fire systems, electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems
• Build a team of high-performing, proactive team members across all shifts
• Responsible for ensuring full compliance with local and state regulatory agencies including new equipment permitting.
• Creating departmental budget plans
• Create and manage a maintenance rounds sheet to monitor all critical systems/equipment.
• Ensure all maintenance and facility equipment areas are organized and clean
• Demonstrate personal commitment to the organizations core values Demonstrate safe work practices and attitudes, follow all safety rules, work to prevent unsafe conditions and behaviors, and participate in organizational and departmental safety programs.
• Establish protocols and SOPs to ensure personal and property safety when working on or around equipment, especially around starting and shutting down complex systems such as ammonia plant systems, nitrogen tunnels, and boilers
• Manage and evaluate production equipments state of readiness relative to safety, efficiency, and maintenance.
• Build out and maintain an organized, clean, and efficient parts room with recommended stock levels of parts unique to each piece of equipment
• Coordinate and collaborate with all stakeholders (internal and external) so that they jointly plan, operate, and execute business decisions as one entity
• Create, measure, assess, and report department KPIs
• Other duties as assigned
• Develop and implement best-in-class employee safety programs including lock-out tag out, hot work permits, confined space entry policies, emergency response plans, and other programs as required, and ensure training and compliance with the workforce.

Supervisory Duties

• Lead and motivate the maintenance team in a manner consistent with the companys Vision, Mission, and Core Values
• Meet with direct reports regularly and conduct performance evaluations in coordination with Talent & Culture
• Actively participate in company-wide initiatives to support company improvement
• Represent the department in cross-departmental projects and company-wide meetings
• Lead projects outside the regular scope of work, as necessitated by business needs

You Would Be A Great Fit If You

• Value honesty and integrity deeply. Its essentially a personal core value
• Are motivated by the ability to make a big impact at an early-stage startup, and are comfortable in a dynamic startup environment where you have to navigate ambiguity and move FAST
• Are a self-starter who can operate with minimal structure / hand-holding as long as youre given clear context and objectives
• Have high EQ and thrive under pressure
• Are willing to grind and put in long hours if / when necessary - we care about work/life balance but want to build with people who are as passionate about the business as we are, not people who are looking for a clock in, clock out job
• Are comfortable receiving and giving feedback / managing up - we value transparency

Required Skills & Abilities

• A highly organized and independent approach to follow-up tasks
• Proven track record of leading a high-functioning maintenance team
• Proven track record of completing tasks to a high standard of professionalism and attention to detail
• Desire to work in a fast-paced, demanding food production, startup environment
• Experience in the food industry is a plus
• Knowledge (or ability to quickly learn) ammonia systems, nitrogen/IQF freezing systems and boiler operations, CAD
• Project management of large equipment or processing installations including equipment sourcing and permitting requirements

Education & Experience

• Bachelors degree in Engineering or related technical field
• 10+ years of engineering experience in a food, pharma or beauty production environment.
• Experience in engineering leadership
• Capital projects management
• Computer-savvy with a working knowledge of Google/Microsoft tools, ERP and WMS systems
• Strong working knowledge of USDA, GMP, SQF, OSHA requirements
• Strong commitment to food safety and employee safety
• Experience ensuring premises, assets, and communication ways are used safely and effectively
• Experience preparing accurate reports for upper management
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills