Senior Manager, Equipment Engineering

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Rich’s, also known as Rich Products Corporation, is a family-owned food company dedicated to inspiring possibilities. From cakes and icings to pizza, appetizers and specialty toppings, our products are used in homes, restaurants, and bakeries around the world. Beyond great food, our customers also gain insights to help them stay competitive, no matter their size. Our portfolio includes creative solutions geared at helping food industry professionals compete in foodservice, retail, in-store bakery, deli, and prepared foods, among others. Rich’s is a global leader with a focus on everything that family makes possible. Rich’s®—Infinite Possibilities. One Family.

Purpose Statement

We are looking for a Senior Engineering Manager who is passionate about leading, defining, and executing complex, scalable technical solutions and projects on time, within budget, safely, and most importantly, in a manner that exceeds our customers' expectations.

You will lead the delivery of a variety of projects from start to finish, including machine capability analysis, equipment design and modification, and the development of robust technical solutions to a range of production challenges. You will also identify and champion breakthrough technologies and solutions that will help drive our business categories into the future.

In this role, you will seek opportunities to maximize efficiency and yields, optimize costs, and take ownership of capital project management, line design, equipment evaluation, operational performance, Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), start-up activities, and validation processes.

The role will directly interface with Manufacturing Directors, the VP of Engineering, R&D, and other business leaders and functional teams.

The Senior Engineering Manager will lead engineering activities across the Toppings, Creams and Culinary Solutions (TCCS) category for Rich's.

We are happy to consider remote candidates for this role, which will require up to 50% domestic and international travel.

Long Description

Main Responsibilities
• Lead engineering technical solutions and capital projects from inception through completion. Initiate concepts, develop designs and technical solutions, estimate costs, formulate business justifications, coordinate installations, troubleshoot start-ups, train required personnel on new technologies, and support the definition of a long-term technology master plan strategy.
• Collaborate closely with R&D, Quality Assurance, Sanitation, Manufacturing, and Engineering teams to define equipment standards, standardize current processes, improve technical solutions, and develop new processes and packaging solutions.
• Lead process equipment definition and selection efforts while championing engineering best practices for improved performance. Work with R&D, Manufacturing, and other functional teams to analyze the impact of new equipment or equipment modifications on existing operations.
• Apply Technical Readiness and Stage-Gate methodologies to lead the development of new processes and products, ensuring they meet the highest standards of quality and efficiency.
• Understand machine and process control architectures and components, including PLCs, HMIs, switches, and related systems. Design new processes and equipment using Factory 4.0/Smart Factory principles.
• Participate in business category, R&D, and Engineering project reviews as required. Communicate project progress and key updates to operational and business leaders through scheduling meetings, plant reviews, and business and operational forums.
• Demonstrate thorough knowledge of capital project procedures and adhere to Rich's directives and guidelines.
• Represent the company's interests effectively when working with contractors, vendors, and engineering consultants, while maintaining a constructive and collaborative approach across the organization.
• Assist other departments by providing technical training and guidance to improve operational effectiveness.

Skills/ Experience

Required Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Chemical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering preferred) with 15+ years of experience in the food, dairy, or consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturing industries.
• Proven experience leading the selection, design, specification, and/or development of new technology platforms, including modifications to existing manufacturing assets. Experience leading front-end engineering activities and projects across a complex manufacturing network.
• Direct experience with liquid processing systems.
• Strong analytical and communication skills, including the ability to draw sound technical conclusions from limited data and prepare concise reports with technical and business recommendations that improve operational performance.
• Demonstrated business acumen with the ability to develop compelling business cases and effectively influence stakeholders across organizational levels and diverse cultural environments.
• Experience leading and influencing global cross-functional teams and multiple manufacturing sites to achieve complex business objectives.
• Experience with Total Productive Manufacturing (TPM) and Continuous Improvement (CI) methodologies, leveraging innovative designs to drive cost savings and process optimization.
• Proven capital project management experience, including technical project development and execution through risk analysis methodologies such as project scheduling, cost estimation, FMEA, and statistical process analysis.
• Proven success implementing process and packaging technologies in a manufacturing environment through Vertical Start-Ups.
• Demonstrated proficiency with computer applications and AutoCAD/3D CAD software.
• Experience developing junior team members through technical guidance, mentoring, and professional growth opportunities that prepare them for increased responsibilities and leadership roles.

Preferred Qualifications
• Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Science (MS) in Engineering, or a related advanced degree.
• Experience with dairy production and pasteurization processes, liquid filling, cooling, freezing, and packaging technologies.
• Experience working in international and global markets.
• Experience in the design and implementation of greenfield manufacturing facilities.
• Knowledge of Reliability Engineering tools and process improvement methodologies.

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