Director of Engineering
Sargento

Job Info

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The person in this position will lead a team that supports Innovation, Production, and other strategic projects. Person is a strategic resource for Innovation/R&D for development and first translation of new product concepts into a production reality. This role is also responsible for equipment-related engineering. This could include alignment of innovation/production equipment plans with strategic plans, budgeting and execution for capital production equipment, and oversight of production equipment with Plant Engineering to assure they are kept in good operational and presentable condition at all times. This role will collaborate closely with other Engineering Directors and cross functional groups.*Your Story.*

You will lead a team that supports Innovation, Production, and other strategic projects. You will be a strategic resource for Innovation/R&D for development and first translation of new product concepts into a production reality. This role is also responsible for equipment-related engineering. This could include alignment of innovation/production equipment plans with strategic plans, budgeting and execution for capital production equipment, and oversight of production equipment with Plant Engineering to assure they are kept in good operational and presentable condition at all times. You will collaborate closely with other Engineering Directors and cross functional groups.

*Your Passion. Our Culture.*

At Sargento, you work for a company you believe in, with a family of people who believe in you.  Our culture stems from a simple premise: Hire good people and treat them like family.  At Sargento, you can make decisions based on how they affect people as well as the long-term health of our company.  You will be encouraged to make a meaningful difference in the community, in the company and in your career.  With diverse experiences and tools to learn and develop, you can transform your aspirations into reality.  If you're ready for the right place to belong and grow your career, you can find it here.

*Benefits that set us apart.*



* Comprehensive medical including Fertility, Adoption benefits, Dental, and Vision Insurance

* Flexible Work Week


* Hybrid work schedule - Onsite Tuesday - Thursday with the option to work remotely Monday and Friday

* Compressed work week - Option of ½ day Friday




* Onsite Health & Wellness Center

* Employer 401K contribution in the top 1% of the nation

* Relocation Assistance

* Tuition Assistance

* Access to Employee Store


*What You Do.*

Provides leadership and people management for assigned personnel:



* Coordinates workload of assigned engineering group and assures resources are used effectively in support of project goals and corporate priorities.

* Contributes to a positive work atmosphere within Engineering and acts a role model of teamwork and collaboration. Supports overall company and cross functional initiatives.

* Keeps self and team at needed technological skill levels. Works jointly with employees on development and training plans.

* Encourages and cultivates employees' personal growth and future leadership potential.

* Provides technical oversight of team to assure best technology is implemented.

* Provides continuous improvement to Engineering systems, processes, and procedures.

* Assures safety procedures are actively followed in all project work.


Provides Engineering support and development of strategic plan initiatives:



* Provides front end project feasibility and methods to accomplish product manufacture.

* Identifies potential manufacturing methods to accomplish desired product characteristics.

* Presents production alternatives to Innovation team with pros/cons.

* Secures necessary capital equipment through capital planning process or in-house equipment adaptation to allow testing of alternatives.

* Provides testing in conjunction with R&D project lead to vet alternatives and alignment to product goal.

* Identifies and budgets for equipment, building expansions, and major capital over the 3-year plan. Result of this will be an updated annual strategic plan for production equipment and Innovation.

* Aligns and prioritize internal resources with corporate priorities.

* Identifies and maintains external sources to supplement skill sets and resource needs to accomplish strategic initiatives.


Identification and execution of objectives to support new product development:



* As an expert in a wide variety of production systems, provides cost estimates and establishes objective timelines for project execution.

* With an understanding of existing production capabilities and limitations, develops realistic plans and levels of technology for implementation of new product initiatives either on existing or completely new technology production lines.

* Aligns with other functions and engineering groups on common objectives for timeframes and deliverables.


Identification and execution of objectives to support operations:



* Works closely with production and facility engineering to implement conceptual product as designed.

* Acts as technology leader for technology implemented "new to Sargento" or arranges for development of a technology leader.

* Assures P&L production goals are met with final line and product design or alerts responsible parties early in the production implementation.

* Provides reliable production equipment needed in conjunction with production operations.

* Plans for growth and systems obsolescence to assure new production system demands are anticipated.

* Maintains a theoretical masterplan for each production operation for projection of available growth and implementation of cost saving technologies.

* Provides reliable support systems for CHP, CIP, COP and related systems.


Provides systems to maintain project financial, liability, and safety:



* Maintains responsible financial control per CAR over projects

* Develops necessary contracts to protect Sargento Intellectual Property and executes projects with design professionals, vendors, and outside resources through the Sargento legal department.

* Leads development and execution of projects in conjunction with Sargento safety management. All necessary programs to be in compliance with needed safety initiatives.

* Leads development and execution of projects in conjunction with Sargento QA, ensuring all necessary food safety programs for the protection of our products and brand are incorporated.


Manages/provides project control:



* Preparation of specifications, bidding, creating purchase order requests, invoice control, and other related activities.

* Manages project deliverables to stay within scope, schedule, and cost budget of project.

* Protects Sargento interests in all business dealings with outside vendors, contractors, and consulting firms.

* Assures that necessary regulatory (USDA, FDA, etc.) guidelines and regulations are being met for all project installations.


Assures engineering resources for SAI initiatives:



* Scout technology options to accomplish SAI objectives.

* Identifies needs of Engineering resources for SAI initiatives. Helps to allocate resources from best source within Sargento.

* Provides estimates and feasibility of production reality for assigned SAI initiatives.


Financial responsibilities include (personally and for direct reports):



* Assures that all invoicing is correct and verifies work billed has been completed as contracted.

* Provides estimates that are accurate within the range stated.

* Assures timely processing of invoicing and cost requests.

* Through competitive bidding or negotiated bid verifies that Sargento obtains best costs.

* Provides payback analysis in conjunction with accounting for projects as needed.


Inventing may occur or be required as part of this position:



* Invents or discovers new and useful processes, machines, manufactures, or compositions of matter, or any new and useful improvements thereof for the exclusive use by and ownership of Sargento.

* Assigns all ideas and inventions conceived or developed while employed by Sargento or as a result of employment with Sargento.

* Discloses to Sargento any inventions that are conceived or made.

* Fully assists in making patent applications as well as refraining from disclosing inventions or ideas to others unless requested to do so by Sargento and assigns any and all rights to Sargento.


Travel is required as needed to complete the functions within this position



* Daily travel between facilities and local suppliers is to be expected with the use of the person's own vehicle required.

* Overnight travel will be required as needed to support projects or for training purposes.

* Facilities not located in our current immediate area may require extended periods of overnight travel such as Vendor visits and conferences.


Confidentiality is required for all work.

*Your Education and Experience.*



* Technical-based Bachelor of Science in a relevant Engineering area required. A Master's degree is desirable. 

* 15+ years of progressive engineering experience in various engineering areas. Manufacturing engineering experience desirable. Person must have a wide variety of exposure to a number of product lines and must have been involved in implementation of multimillion dollar production lines.

* Familiarity and experience with Lean 6-sigma methodology desirable.

* Additional educational courses will be required as needed to sustain departmental/individual technological levels. 


*Our Story.*

With over 2,400+ employees and net sales of nearly $1.8 billion, Sargento is a family-owned company that has been a leader in cheese for more than 70 years.  We created the world's first, successful pre-packaged sliced and shredded natural cheeses.  Sargento is based in Plymouth, Wisconsin, where we manufacture and market shredded, sliced and snack natural cheese products, as well as ingredients and sauces.  Sargento is known for the exceptional quality of our products and for product design, packaging and merchandising innovations that have transformed our industry.

To learn more about our culture and values, please visit our website at https://careers.sargento.com/us/en.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

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