The Executive Director of Plant Engineering is a senior-level technical leader responsible for the strategic direction, execution, and governance of engineering operations across all manufacturing sites. This role oversees plant infrastructure, capital projects, equipment lifecycle management, utility systems, and engineering standards to ensure safety, reliability, efficiency, and regulatory compliance. The Executive Director partners cross-functionally to align engineering solutions with business objectives and leads a high-performing team to drive operational excellence, innovation, and sustainable growth.
Key Responsibilities:
Set the vision and lead the execution of plant engineering strategies across all manufacturing and production facilities.
Align engineering priorities with corporate growth objectives, capital planning, sustainability targets, and risk management.
Lead the development and deployment of engineering standards, governance frameworks, and design specifications.
Oversee planning, budgeting, design, and execution of capital projects, facility expansions, utility upgrades, and production line installations.
Ensure project delivery excellence in terms of scope, budget, timeline, safety, and cross-functional coordination.
Champion capital efficiency and return on investment through effective project evaluation and prioritization.
Ensure optimal performance of plant assets including process equipment, packaging systems, utilities, and building infrastructure.
Lead programs for preventive and predictive maintenance in collaboration with Maintenance & Reliability functions.
Implement continuous improvement initiatives focused on asset reliability, energy efficiency, and cost reduction.
Provide strategic oversight of plant utility systems (HVAC, boilers, compressed air, steam, chilled water, electrical).
Ensure utility systems are compliant, energy-efficient, and aligned with corporate sustainability goals.
Ensure plant engineering designs and installations meet regulatory requirements (FDA, USDA, FSMA, OSHA, ASME, 3-A Sanitary).
Support safety engineering principles, process safety management, and GMP standards in all plant engineering activities.
Partner with EHS and Quality teams to uphold food safety, worker safety, and environmental compliance.
Act as the key engineering interface with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, EHS, Supply Chain, and Corporate Leadership.
Contribute to strategic planning, enterprise risk assessments, and technology roadmaps.
Represent Engineering in executive decision-making forums and site governance meetings.
Build, lead, and mentor a diverse and high-performing team of plant engineers, project managers, utility experts, and technical specialists.
Drive technical competency development, succession planning, and a culture of accountability and innovation.
Ensure proper staffing and capability alignment across all sites and project teams.
Key Focus Areas:
Enterprise-wide plant engineering leadership and standardization
Capital project execution and infrastructure development
Utility system performance and energy management
Regulatory and food safety compliance
Engineering team development and performance optimization
Long-term asset strategy and lifecycle management
Qualifications & Skills:
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering required
Master’s degree in Engineering Management, Business Administration (MBA), or related field preferred
Certifications:
PE license, PMP certification, or Six Sigma Black Belt is a plus
Familiarity with food safety, process safety, and environmental certifications (e.g., HACCP, LEED) preferred
Experience:
15+ years of plant or facilities engineering experience, with 7+ years in a senior or executive leadership role
Deep experience in food & beverage, CPG, pharmaceutical, or other regulated manufacturing industries
Demonstrated success leading capital-intensive projects and driving engineering transformation across multiple sites
Technical Skills:
Broad expertise in facility and utility engineering, packaging/process equipment, automation systems, and building infrastructure
Strong grasp of GMP, FDA/USDA compliance, OSHA standards, and industrial safety regulations
Proficient in project management systems, CMMS, engineering design tools, and energy monitoring platforms
Leadership & Soft Skills:
Visionary leader with strong strategic, analytical, and business acumen
Exceptional communication and executive stakeholder management skills
Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and manage change across complex organizations
Results-oriented, collaborative, and committed to continuous improvement and operational excellence