Job Title: Director of Engineering

Location: Kent, Washington

Compensation: Up to $180,000 annually, plus a 10% performance-based bonus.

Position Overview:

We are seeking a seasoned and forward-thinking Director of Engineering to lead the maintenance and engineering functions at a well-established food and beverage manufacturing facility. This role will be pivotal in bridging traditional operations with innovative solutions to drive the organization toward a more automated and efficient future.

The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background in automation, manufacturing processes, and regulatory compliance, coupled with a hands-on leadership style to rebuild and inspire the team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead automation efforts, including identifying opportunities and collaborating with contractors for PLC programming.
• Manage and develop a diverse workforce, fostering an environment of growth and innovation.
• Establish and execute a vision for the team and operations through 2025, emphasizing manufacturing, maintenance, and automation improvements.
• Oversee daily maintenance operations across multiple shifts, ensuring issues are resolved efficiently.

Qualifications:

Must-Haves:

• Strong expertise in systems involving temperature, flow, fluids, and solids, particularly those requiring shelf-life management, sanitation, and fluid handling.
• Experience with heating, cooling, and material movement processes.
• Familiarity with FDA and USDA regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge of palletizing, stacking, and related manufacturing operations.

Nice-to-Haves:

• Experience in daily operational oversight, including warehouse, quality, and production processes.
• Proven ability to assess plant operations, develop strategic improvement plans, and lead hands-on implementation.
• Familiarity with packaging, automation, staffing strategies, and long-term operational planning.

What Success Looks Like in the First 30/60/90 Days:

• Gain a thorough understanding of current operations and processes through on-the-job training with experienced leaders.
• Begin rebuilding and optimizing the maintenance team, filling open positions and re-establishing processes.
• Address immediate operational challenges while developing a roadmap for future improvements.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive benefits package comparable to Union offerings.