Engineering Director jobs in Ventura, CA

We are a global leader in food & beverage ingredients. Pioneers at heart, we operate at the forefront of consumer trends to provide food & beverage manufacturers with products and ingredients that will delight their consumers. Making a positive impact on people and planet is all part of the delight. With a deep-rooted presence in the countries where our ingredients are grown, we are closer to farmers, enabling better quality, and more reliable, traceable and transparent supply. Supplying products and ingredients at scale is just the start. We add value through our unique, complementary portfolio of natural, delicious and nutritious products. With our fresh thinking, we help our customers unleash the sensory and functional attributes of cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts and spices so they can create naturally good food & beverage products that meet consumer expectations. And whoever we're with, whatever we're doing, we always make it real.

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Operations Head, the Director of Engineering & Maintenance has the overall responsibility for engineering, maintenance, and utility management for all Olde Thompson facilities (2 regions). The position will develop detailed execution plans for projects and implement the plans within budgets by organizing and controlling project elements to ensure Right First Time (RFT). This person will be directly responsible for managing the maintenance department activities, in collaboration with plant managers, across multiple shifts and locations to ensure that work produced meets quality, safety and cost metrics.

Position Responsibilities:

• Schedule and plan predictive, preventive and breakdown maintenance jobs through various check lists and why-why analysis under Total Productive Maintenance (TPM).
• Perform KAIZEN and One Point Lesson (OPL) at regular basis to improve the line/plant efficiency and skill of the permanent and casual operators.
• Study current machines, utility designs, and layout and find opportunities for process and engineering improvements. Develop designs and layouts in some cases.
• Work with the operations team to find out and implement continuous improvement initiatives through various projects.
• Develop project objectives by reviewing project proposals and plans in agreement with stakeholders.
• Determine project specifications by studying product design, requirements, and performance standards.
• Reviews quotes from contractors, prepare cost estimates and Capex proposals (CIRs) as per Manufacturing and Technical Services (MATS) guidelines.
• Identify project phases and elements. Determine appropriate project schedule by studying project plan and specifications. Calculate time requirements by sequencing the project elements.
• Control project plan(s) by reviewing design and specifications. Plan and schedule changes, recommend action plans, and maintain project schedule by monitoring project progress. Ensure coordination of activities and resolve problems.
• Participate in internal, external customer/contractor meetings and resolves project issues.
• Prepare project status reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information and trends, recommending actions as warranted.
• Control project costs by monitoring expenditures.
• Maintain project database on computer software/MS Projects. Enter and back up data.
• Maintain product and company reputation by complying with Regulatory/Statutory regulations.
• Develop long term facility plans to support the growth in the business.
• Provide guidance and supervision to the regional Maintenance team(s) and respective plant managers.
• Confirm project performance by conducting tests/trials of installed machinery.
• Implement policies, procedures and systems for capex management as defined by Spices and Vegetable Ingredients (SVI) engineering function and MATS.
• Contribute to sustainable development initiatives and carry out site inspections and energy surveys. Benchmark energy consumptions against best practice guidelines.
• Monitor energy consumption and maintain accurate records to carry out energy data analysis and identify improvement opportunities.
• Establish engineering and maintenance Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), benchmark against best in class to validate performance and improvements in engineering practices.
• Remain abreast of current legislation and ensure corporate compliance.
• Develop and deliver operations and technical training of engineering, maintenance critical machines and equipment.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Position Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering is required. Master's degree is highly preferred.
• Ten (10) years of related engineering and maintenance experience in food, pharmaceutical or chemical processing facilities is required.
• Five (5) years of extensive experience in Consumer-Packaged Goods (CPG) industry is required.
• Proven experience in project planning, equipment planning, estimations, execution and Commissioning protocols is required.
• Demonstrated current knowledge of environmental and sustainability initiatives for food business and experience implementing innovative solutions is required.
• Good working knowledge of regulatory, legislative and business environment is required.
• Excellent business analysis skills which will be used to create compelling business cases is required.
• Candidate should be cost-conscious and able to critically analyses new and existing designs to generate cost reductions.
• Ability to effectively build rapport with stakeholders to achieve a closer working relationship and openness is required.
• Effective leadership and facilitator abilities within a team is required. Should have the ability to influence and manage other internal customers and external suppliers/contractors to ensure the timely success of the project.
• Must have a working knowledge of regulatory requirements and processes to obtain No Objection Certification (NOC) to accomplish projects.
• Basic understanding of performance contracts, regulatory and business environment is required.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical disciplines, production personnel and executives, both internal and external is required.
• Must have the ability to develop innovative and practical design solutions to technical problems.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 40% of the time is required.

Note: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

ofi provides equality of opportunity for all persons with respect to hiring without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation. All employment will be decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us for support at: US-Talent.Acquisition@ofi.com

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