Director Engineering

Director Engineering

SunOpta delivers customized supply chain solutions and innovation for top brands, retailers, and foodservice providers across a broad portfolio of beverages, broths, and better-for-you snacks. With over 50 years of expertise, SunOpta fuels customers' growth with high-quality, sustainability-forward solutions distributed through retail, club, foodservice, and e-commerce channels across North America.

Job Summary : SunOpta is seeking a Director of Engineering to lead and enhance engineering and technical operations across our network of seven production plants. This role is instrumental in driving innovation, optimizing production processes, and enhancing the overall efficiency and sustainability of our operations. Reporting directly to the SVP Food Safety, Innovation and Engineering, the Director of Engineering will be responsible for setting engineering strategies, managing the capital project portfolio, and implementing best-in-class manufacturing and technical capabilities and practices that align with SunOpta's mission to deliver high-quality, sustainable, plant-based products.

Essential Functions of the Job :

• Leadership & Strategy : Develop and implement a comprehensive engineering strategy that supports operational excellence across seven plants. Provide direction and guidance to plant-level engineering teams, fostering a collaborative network-wide approach.
• Capital Project Management : Lead, plan, and execute major capital projects to support growth and efficiency goals, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within scope, and on budget.
• Continuous Improvement : Drive a culture of continuous improvement by identifying, developing, and implementing process improvements and automation initiatives. Champion Lean and Six Sigma practices to maximize productivity and reduce waste.
• Technical Support & Troubleshooting : Act as the lead engineering expert to solve technical issues, identify root causes, and ensure equipment and processes meet SunOpta's quality and safety standards.
• Sustainability & Compliance : Work with sustainability and regulatory teams to align engineering projects with SunOpta's goals and comply with health, safety, and environmental regulations.
• Team Development : Hire, train, and lead plant engineering teams to encourage talent growth and promote effective collaboration and innovation within the organization. Collaborates with senior leadership and human resources to support organizational structure, ensuring roles are accurately organized, defined, documented, and communicated to employees.
• Outside Contractor Leadership : May oversee contracted projects to ensure they meet specifications. May obtain bids from contractors, purchase supplies and equipment, and manage utility operations. May prepare construction specs or plans, consult engineers, review contract bids, and submit recommendations to supervisors. Ensure effective safety procedures and record keeping are managed through site leadership. Adheres / ensures team's adherence to company GMP's (good manufacturing practices), safety procedures and all other quality processes.

Supervisory Responsibilities : Direct reports include regional capital project engineer and regional controls and automation engineer. Leads and mentors indirect reports across the network, providing feedback on performance and potential for various roles. In-direct reports- Plant, project, controls, processing, and packaging engineers work at aseptic and fruit snack plants and may oversee contracted projects or manage external contractors.

Minimum Qualifications : Bachelor's of Engineering degree - Mechanical, Chemical, or Industrial or related Technology discipline. 10+ years of experience in engineering, with at least 5 years in leadership. Demonstrated expertise in leading / managing capital projects & leading continuous improvement initiatives in a manufacturing environment. Experience leading a team of engineers in the food / beverage production or consumer product sectors. Proficiency in Lean, Six Sigma or other process improvement methodologies. Proficiency using & mentoring on DFM, FMEA, SPC tools.

Preferred Qualifications : Aseptic, beverage or thermal processing experience. Master's Degree in Engineering - Mechanical, Chemical, Industrial or related Technology discipline. Experienced with multi-plant, national network. Familiar with sustainability practices in a manufacturing environment. Proven ability to work cross-functionally and influence across multiple levels of the organization.

Knowledge and Skills : Candidate must possess a strong working knowledge of electrical, chemical and mechanical functions associated with plant engineering. Deep experience working with the following toolsets : DFM (Design for Manufacturability) FMEA (Failure Mode & Effects Analysis) SPC (Statistical Process Control) Project leadership : Ability to manage / oversee / lead multiple projects concurrently. Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing practices or TPM. Familiar with thermal processing, evaporation, blending, batching and separation. Demonstrated championship of human and food safety culture. Possess a continuous improvement mindset. Ability to create momentum and foster organizational change. Must have a working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite.

Additional Considerations : This role requires flexibility to travel to SunOpta plant locations as needed, providing hands-on leadership and support across our network. Travel Expectation : Up to 50% during critical project activities. This position will be at our SunOpta headquarters facility in Eden Prairie, MN. Work Environment / Physical Demands : Approximately 50% of work is performed in an office environment. 50% of work may involve being in a manufacturing environment. Up to 30% travel to SunOpta facilities and equipment manufacturers' locations. Wear PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) when required.