Senior Vice President, Engineering

Job purpose:

fairlife, a fast-growing leader in dairy-based low-acid aseptic beverages, seeks an experienced and visionary Senior Vice President of Engineering to lead the expansion of manufacturing capacity, drive the development of intellectual property, and build a high-performing engineering team. This role will also support ensuring the reliability and process efficiency of existing manufacturing facilities, partnering with operations leadership to drive solutions aimed at maximizing operational excellence.

responsibilities:

• Develop and execute the company's long-term engineering strategy aligned with business goals.
• Oversee the design, development, and implementation of state-of-the-art production facilities and expansion of current facilities.
• Lead development of capital investment plans to support capacity expansion and creation of additional capabilities to support growth and innovation.
• Manage scope, schedule, and budgets for large-scale capital projects.
• Foster a culture of innovation and collaboration within the engineering and technical teams.
• Partner with operations teams to optimize production processes to ensure efficiency, scalability, and sustainability.
• Drive the development of proprietary technologies to enhance product quality and operational efficiency.
• Collaborate with R&D to integrate innovative solutions into production processes.
• Protect intellectual property through effective patent strategies.
• Build and lead a world-class engineering team with a focus on professional development, engagement, and high performance.
• Establish clear objectives, provide mentorship, and hold team members accountable for results.
• Ensure adherence to regulatory standards and industry best practices in manufacturing and engineering operations.
• Drive a culture of PMP and PMO systems to support effective project management.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, quality, and sustainability.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to support supply chain, quality assurance, and R&D initiatives.

skills/qualifications required:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, or related field) required; advanced degree preferred.
• 15+ years of engineering leadership experience in a consumer-packaged goods company related to the production of dairy-based aseptic beverages.
• Proven track record of managing large-scale capital projects and scaling manufacturing operations.
• Demonstrated success in developing and protecting intellectual property.
• Exceptional leadership and team-building skills with experience in a high-growth, fast-paced environment.
• Strong financial acumen with the ability to manage budgets and drive cost-effective solutions.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Resourceful, well organized, highly dependable, efficient and detail orientated.
• Confident, assertive and rational using engineering and financial data to inform and communicate decision making.
• Proficiency in English: Comfortable with both written and verbal communication, including reading and writing.
  

position location: Chicago, IL

reports to: CEO

travel requirements: Travel 50% annually, domestic and international