Position Title: Vice President Engineering Location: Plymouth, WI
Position Summary: Position leads the overall Company Corporate Engineering Team as a key member of the Operations group and the Company Officer Team; key Engineering Team responsibilities include: continuous improvements of and additions to manufacturing and facility asset base, development and execution of yearly and long range capital and operating plans, talent development and deployment of technical expertise, identification of and implementation of technologies to support manufacturing requirements for new and existing product lines, technical support for production maintenance and facilities infrastructure, and ongoing support and implementation of food safety and employee safety initiatives.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities include the following that are executed personally or through the team (other duties may be assigned):
As a member of our corporate team and officer of the company, demonstrates a management style that promotes "communication excellence" with all levels of the organization, supports skill development which will prepare for succession planning at all levels of plant operations and fully builds the morale of the workforce through methods which are consistent with the Company Statement of Values and Purpose
Provide strategic leadership and management of the Engineering team
Establishes Engineering short and long-range objectives, plans, and policies within needs for Production Engineering, Innovation Engineering, Continuous Improvement (CI) Engineering, Facility Engineering, and Electrical Engineering groups
Develops and maintains effective project management practices and tools
Builds and monitors workload overlaps between various Engineering groups to achieve operational efficiency and vertical start-up through technology transfer and training plans with engineers in all project phases
Provides long term technical vision in alignment with Corporate strategic plans that align Engineering talent and facilities with long range strategic plans; maintains appropriate technical knowledge through new hires or training
Aligns Engineering department with needs and goals of all Corporate departments
Provides key resources to production for talent development and short-term needs in support of special production needs
Provides production maintenance with training, maintenance system resources, and technical resources to assure efficient plant maintenance trained at level to support automation implemented with new production lines and ongoing production and facility improvement
Crafts technical budgets, allocates resources, and figures out schedule of product releases and/or project deadlines
Communicates project risks and makes sure organization has the same understanding of risks; mitigates risks as appropriate
Dispenses advice, mentorship, direction, and authorization to carry out major plans and procedures
As directed, plans and directs investigation and negotiations pertaining to technical aspects of mergers, joint ventures, acquisitions of businesses, site selections, or sales of major assets
Represents organization with major customers, vendors, shareholders, government, legal, and the public
Supports Engineering needs for SAI projects as needed
Works with product development, sales, and marketing to discern competitiveness of new technologies
Takes ownership of operating results of projects, compares them to established objectives, and takes steps to correct unsatisfactory results
Analyzes new technologies and provides analyses of daring technologies and products.
Develop, approve, track, and provide guidelines for capital projects to improve return on investment
Coordinate and lead capital budget plan and strategic capital plan with guidance from all major partners in support of business objectives
Implement policies and programs with contractors and vendors from contractual, safety, and legal aspects
Represents Engineering aspects for intellectual property team and new product introduction discussions
Leads implementation and continuation of sanitary standards within equipment and facilities to meet appropriate regulatory and customer standards
Provides technical support and management for PSM, Storm Water, RMP, Wastewater, and similar programs and systems
Meets all safety requirements for all Engineering activities, machinery development and implementation
Ensures confidentiality for all Engineering work is maintained by all members of the Team
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Leads a department with varied level of supervisors and employees
Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of this unit
Carries out supervisory responsibilities including training, planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and re-focusing employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems
Skills/Requirements
Education and/or Experience:
Business related Master’s degree along with Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Technology, or related field
Minimum 7 years (10+ years preferred) management experience in engineering or related field, preferably in dairy, cheese and/or food
Experience working for more than one organization with a range of business models is desirable
Compliance experience in an environment regulated by the FDA, USDA-FSIS, USDA-AMS (Dairy), WDA or similar agencies
Experience with building and manufacturing infrastructure systems and general production equipment and systems (i.e. MES, CI) in a food manufacturing operation
Language/Communication Skills:
Written and spoken English skills required
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex documents including equipment contracts, construction contracts, development agreements, and patents
Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints
Ability to write speeches and articles using creative or innovative techniques or style
Ability to deliver understandable, effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on technical, controversial or complex topics to top management, public/industry groups, legal situations, and/or boards of directors
Technical/Mathematical Skills:
Proven record in delivering projects on time, within budget and at stated performance
Expertise in equipment design, installation, and operation (using project management and engineering technology skills)
Ability to comprehend and apply principles of calculus, algebra, and statistical theory as it relates to effective implementation and management of engineering and manufacturing principles
Sound Engineering knowledge of:
Plant utility systems and their proper utilization
Packaging equipment and their basics for efficient utilization
Lean manufacturing techniques
Food safety and employee safety requirements
Accounting principles for manufacturing operations
Other Qualifications:
Proficiency in Word, PowerPoint, Excel, e-mail, SAP or similar integrated program
Basic understanding of CAD systems
Daily travel between facilities with own vehicle is required
Overnight travel to various vendor, co-packer, trade show, future production areas required as needed; average overnight travel estimated at less than 20%; international travel may be occasionally required
Inventing may occur or be required as part of this position:
Invents or discovers new processes, machines, manufactures, or compositions of matter, or any improvements thereof for the exclusive use by and ownership of Company
Assigns all ideas and inventions conceived or developed while employed by Company or as a result of employment with Company
Discloses to Company any inventions that are made
Fully assists in making patent applications as well as refraining from disclosing inventions or ideas to others unless requested to do so by Company, and assigns any and all rights to Company
Reasoning Ability:
Ability to:
Apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems
Deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs, musical notes, etc.,) in its most difficult phases
Deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
Current valid driver’s license.
Passport for International travel.
CPM, PE, or other advanced certification desirable
Physical Demands (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):
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear
The employee frequently is required to stand; sit; and use hands to finger, handle, or fee.
The employee is occasionally required to walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus
Work Environment (the work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job):
Majority of time will be spent in a general office environment at a moderate noise level
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; high noise levels; fumes or airborne particles; outside weather conditions; extreme cold; risk of electrical shock; and vibration
Appropriate sanitary and safety personal protection in compliance with company policies is required as needed
