Director, Engineering & Capital Projects

Summary

A Director of Engineering and Capital Projects within the Global Engineering and Project Management team. This critical leadership position is responsible for leading and execution of strategic capital projects within Chobani’s Global Supply Chain manufacturing facilities. The ideal candidate has a strong Industrial space background with responsibilities in a large global engineering team ranging from mechanical and electrical designs to software layer to deliver full sub-system capabilities. The team of professionals reporting to the role need to work cross-functionally, with both internal teams and external vendors, in the development of engineering solutions, from concept to final commissioning, ensuring the solution is beneficial for all teams. This position requires an experienced leader who can direct this group and assist them in the key decisions, while ensuring the projects remain on budget and within timelines. This position reports to the Sr Director of Engineering and Project Management.

Responsibilities

Resource Management:

• Lead Capital Critical Planning initiatives. With input from Sr Director of Engineering and Project Management develop, document, and track short term and long-term potential capital projects to align with company goals and objectives. Capital plan and execution including bringing forward new ideas and technologies to move the company forward and/or provide a competitive advantage
• Ensure proper coordination of work between team, subcontractors, and clients
• Ensure work is produced in adherence to company, contract, and client requirements
• Identify obsolete or critical risk equipment and systems and bring forward a plan to prevent unplanned failure
• When applicable, work effectively with maintenance team members to develop a solution
• Consider impact of improvements on all facility functions (i.e., maintenance, EH&S, production) when developing plans and implementing changes
• Work with all internal Plant Teams to identify, recommend, and implement manufacturing process improvement initiatives
• Develops and works with supervisors in all areas such as employee relations, problem solving, setting, and achieving goals, manufacturing processes, skill development, scheduling, disciplinary action, terminations, equipment problems, etc. Aids employees and supervisors in solving work related problems; evaluates the issue and meets with supervisors and human resources to decide the most effective remediation technique
• Set a positive and confident leadership example to all the employees and management. Promote positive employee relations through relationship building and issue resolution
• Provide work assignments and review performance to ensure the efficient, cost-effective utilization of staff, including responsibility for recruitment, development, and retention of the staff

Account and Project Management:

• Act as Sr PM for select projects
• Lead budgeting process as it relates to global engineering areas. Track and is accountable for budgetary spending
• Responsible for project performance of local work including project planning / forecasting, resource management, quality control, and profitability
• Ensures manufacturing project engineering designs follow codes, standards, and regulations for Local, State and Federal Regulating Authorities along with FM Global
• Provide engineered solutions and root cause analysis for complex manufacturing and support equipment issues for production facilities within Area of Responsibility
• Continuously analyze costs and develop cost reduction plans for capital improvements and maintenance projects; provide support to facility managers in the implementation of cost reduction initiatives as needed
• Monitors and reports performance of the manufacturing project (capital improvement or maintenance) to ensure that all contractual, costs and schedule objectives are met
• Responsible for the communication of the manufacturing project status to all team members; conducts regularly scheduled manufacturing project reviews, provides timely project summaries and reports to senior management
• Setting up and improving engineering standards and guidelines that will increase efficiency and accuracy associated with the engineering execution of the project
• Develop, review and approval of Master Engineering Projects including drawings, specifications, data sheets and lists necessary to complete the projects, meeting project schedule and budget commitments
• Organizes engineering support to construction and commissioning with occasional site visits

Requirements

• 15+ years’ experience in Manufacturing and Process Technologies. Previous experience with Food and Beverage or Consumer Packaged Goods companies required
• Ten (10) years developing engineering strategy to support manufacturing environments is required
• 7+ years managerial and leadership experience over multiple engineering functions is required
• 7+ years of project management experience including project timeliness, budgets, risk analysis is required
• Bachelor's or master's degree in engineering (chemical, mechanical, industrial, or process preferred)
• Project/Program Management training and/or certification (PMP) is preferred
• To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, including MS Project, familiarity with common CAD software (SolidWorks desired)
• Ability to use sound creative thinking to solve complex manufacturing problems
• Ability to travel is required
• Demonstrated ability to provide both tactical and strategic leadership
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to build relationships and interact with individuals at all levels of an organization
• Strong people management skills with the ability to train and develop others
• The desire to make a significant difference. Must be self-motivated with the ability to work independently
• Proficient using a PC and other department specific databases and/or systems and all assigned machinery and related equipment
• Ability to work in a high-pressure environment and exercise good judgment to resolve problems in the absence of formalized guidelines and procedures.
• SAP experience is desired but not required

About Us

Chobani is a food maker with a mission of making high-quality and nutritious food accessible to more people, while elevating our communities and making the world a healthier place. In short: making good food for all. In support of this mission, Chobani is a purpose-driven, people-first, food-and-wellness-focused company, and has been since its founding in 2005 by Hamdi Ulukaya, an immigrant to the U.S. The Company manufactures yogurt, oat milk, and creamers – Chobani yogurt is America's No.1 yogurt brand, made with natural ingredients without artificial preservatives. Following the 2023 acquisition of La Colombe, a leading coffee roaster with a shared commitment to quality, craftmanship and impact, the Company began selling cold-pressed espresso and lattes on tap at 32 cafes, as well as Ready to Drink (RTD) coffee beverages at retail.

Chobani uses food as a force for good in the world – putting humanity first in everything it does. The company’s philanthropic efforts prioritize giving back to its communities and beyond: working to eradicate child hunger, supporting immigrants, refugees and underrepresented people, honoring veterans, and protecting the planet. Chobani manufactures its products in New York, Idaho, Michigan and Australia, and its products are available throughout North America and distributed in Australia and other select markets.

For more information, please visit www.chobani.com and www.lacolombe.com, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Chobani is an equal opportunity employer. Chobani will not discriminate against any applicant for employment on any basis including, but not limited to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, military and/or veteran status, marital status, predisposing genetic characteristics and genetic information, or any other classification protected by federal, state, and local laws.