The Executive Director of Capital Projects & Automation is a senior-level leader responsible for driving the planning, design, and execution of major capital investments and automation initiatives across the enterprise. This role oversees a portfolio of high-value, cross-functional projects including new facility builds, production line expansions, and plant-wide automation upgrades. The Executive Director ensures capital delivery excellence, robust project governance, and the integration of advanced manufacturing technologies to support growth, efficiency, and compliance. A critical partner to Operations, Engineering, and IT, this role drives innovation, risk mitigation, and long-term infrastructure readiness.
Lead all phases of large-scale capital projects from conceptual design and feasibility through commissioning and handoff.
Oversee the project management office (PMO) for capital delivery, ensuring adherence to scope, schedule, budget, and quality.
Drive a structured, enterprise-wide capital planning process aligned with corporate growth strategies and ROI expectations.
Manage a diverse portfolio of projects across multiple manufacturing, distribution, and innovation sites.
Lead strategy and execution for automation, controls, robotics, and digital manufacturing systems across all plants.
Evaluate and implement Industry 4.0 technologies, including smart sensors, SCADA/HMI, MES, vision systems, and autonomous equipment.
Collaborate with IT, Engineering, and Operations to ensure seamless integration of automation into production environments.
Develop and enforce capital project standards, engineering specifications, and construction safety protocols.
Ensure consistency, scalability, and regulatory compliance in facility and equipment design (FDA, USDA, OSHA, FSMA, 3-A Sanitary).
Champion design for operability, maintainability, and sustainability.
Establish strategic relationships with engineering firms, system integrators, OEMs, and contractors.
Negotiate service contracts, define performance expectations, and ensure alignment with project goals and company values.
Drive accountability and quality assurance across external partners.
Work closely with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, EHS, IT, and Supply Chain to align project execution with functional goals.
Present project updates, risks, and financial performance to executive leadership and capital governance boards.
Serve as the subject matter expert for investment planning and automation capability development.
Build and lead a high-performing team of capital project managers, automation engineers, construction managers, and technical leads.
Foster a culture of safety, innovation, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
Lead talent development, succession planning, and organizational capability building within capital and automation functions.
Capital project execution and portfolio management
Automation, controls, and digital manufacturing integration
Engineering and design standardization
Cross-functional alignment and stakeholder communication
Contractor/vendor management and construction safety
Return on investment and total lifecycle cost optimization
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or Chemical Engineering required
Master’s degree in Engineering Management, Business Administration (MBA), or related discipline strongly preferred
Certifications:
PMP (Project Management Professional), PE (Professional Engineer), or Six Sigma certification preferred
Additional credentials in automation (e.g., ISA, PLC/HMI certification) or construction management are a plus
Experience:
15+ years of capital project and automation leadership experience in food & beverage, pharmaceutical, CPG, or heavy manufacturing industries
7+ years in an executive or senior director role managing multi-site engineering or automation programs
Proven success delivering complex greenfield/brownfield projects and implementing advanced automation systems
Technical Skills:
Expertise in project management, automation system architecture, SCADA, PLCs, robotics, and utilities integration
Familiarity with GMP, food safety design, and regulatory compliance (OSHA, FDA, USDA, FSMA)
Skilled in CAPEX planning, project scheduling (Primavera/MS Project), and capital performance tracking
Leadership & Soft Skills:
Strategic thinker with strong business acumen and decision-making capabilities
Outstanding leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills
Ability to manage risk, resolve conflict, and influence change in complex environments
High level of accountability, urgency, and results orientation