Director of Engineering

Ken's Foods, manufacturer of Ken's Salad Dressing and Sweet Baby Rays, is a dynamic company, family-owned and -operated since 1958. With four manufacturing plants strategically located, we employ over 1400 people throughout the U.S. We use high-quality ingredients to produce over one thousand varieties of dressings and sauces for both retail grocery and food service divisions.

We are committed to offer a work environment where safety and quality are the priority, as evidenced by our awarded SQF Level III certification. Because the health and wellness of our team is important to us, we provide excellent benefits and a friendly culture. We have a diverse customer base that is rapidly growing - a sign of our market acceptance and commitment to the consumer. Ken's Foods is a rewarding place to learn and grow through practical applications of food science, product development, and operations management.

SUMMARY

The Director of Engineering is responsible for wide range of engineering tasks related to the successful completion of engineering projects.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

• Take leadership role on major capital expenditure expansions
• Responsible for master project schedule, including resource allocation of team and contractors
• Communicates project plans across the organization and is active in business disruption planning for capital implementation.

• Ensure team develops and maintains all project documentation including project plans, status reports, issues, costs, schedules, and quality components across all projects, and project documentation is well communicated throughout the lifecycle of projects.

• Maintains the site master plans and concept layouts
• Ability to travel up to 30% of the time and manage projects at all locations (MA,GA, NV, IN) as needed is required.

• Commitment to safety begins with management. Managers and frontline supervisors are accountable for creating and maintaining a culture of Safety and assuring a safe work environment.
• Create and support strategic plans for process and packaging line improvements to improve OEE, yields and drive down costs.
• Optimize documentation systems and processes for engineering

FOOD SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead by example to ensure our highest quality manufacturing practices are being met
• Ensure team members follow all Ken's Food Safety and GMP policies
• Ensure all work is completed in a safe and sanitary manner
• Ensure team members produce product free of contamination
• Ensure team members Report any suspicious activities anywhere in or around the plant
• Ensure team members Inspect work area for any possible product contamination issues on a continuous basis

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Direct management of Project Engineer team consisting of 5-7 Engineers

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Experience

• Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or Chemical Engineering Degree; minimum of ten years related experience in Food, Beverage, or Dairy industry.
• Extensive knowledge of Process Piping, Fluid Pumping Systems, and Thermal Processing is a must.
• Wastewater Treatment skillset is preferred, but willingness to learn this process is required.
• Packaging Systems, Conveyers & Plant Facilities, and Project Management experience.
• Direct Management experience in managing Capital projects ranging from $25,000 up to $10,000,000. Experience should include developing detailed capital budgets and justifications, development of project schedules, procurement of equipment and services, RFQ and Scope of Supply documentation, and direct supervisory experience overseeing installation and startup of new systems.