Director, Beverage Engineering

About the job

Accomplished engineering professional who can manage capital projects with budgets of up to $50 million dollars across multiple sites, that can work independently in a fast-paced project environment. Successful and skilled in communicating, managing and negotiating with all levels of plant and corporate: operations, management, finance, QA, Research & Innovation, Tech Services and directing efforts of preferred vendors, contractors, A/E's and integrators. This role will also be reasonable for leading team of plant engineers located across the United States.

Job Responsibilities:

• Effectively manage & develop Beverage based capital improvement projects up to $50 million dollars facilitated through our preferred suppliers, contractors, A/E's and integrators at multiple factory locations.
• Lead and Mange a team of up to 6 engineers based in multiple factory locations.
• Interface with all levels of plant and corporate personnel marketing, Research & Innovation, QA and legal departments.
• Provide engineering leadership through all phases of projects to deliver initiatives, throughput, and for quality, cost and reliability improvement efforts.
• Manage Design Build Engineering Firms for detailed engineering, construction management and installation. Manage onsite contractors to ensure safety, quality, timeliness and acceptability while minimizing change orders.
• Strong leadership, problem solving, and collaboration skills Ability to reduce complex problems to simple set of solutions.
• Lead, coach, develop, and mentor direct reports of all experience levels.

Project Management:

• Develop relationships and actions plans with plant managers, maintenance personnel and operators to provide input in the design and implementation of capital projects seamlessly into production
• Accommodate the management of concurrent multiple projects
• Negotiate contracts, performance guarantees, payment terms, and cost sharing with contractors and internal legal department.  Monitor contract compliance throughout project life cycle
• Responsible for the overall project budget inclusive of managing accurate cash flow through purchase orders and invoice receiving using SAP
• Delegate project tasks ensuring that key project initiatives/objectives, scope, budget and timelines are uninterrupted and met
• Utilize contracted resources to ensure the correct expertise is fully utilized to achieve project scope
• Technical expertise with food & beverage technologies equipment that supports capital project execution, including technical leadership in scope, design, alternatives analysis, layout, equipment selection, training, procedures, installation, startup, performance acceptance, and successful turnover to plant operations.
• Leading capital project teams in achieving excellence in the project execution and ensure that all project success criteria are met
• Expertise with capital management systems including engineering/construction contractor interface experience
• Generate Estimates, write Capital Appropriation Requests (CAR), and manage Project Budget. Manage RFQ/RFP process, negotiate contracts and issue purchase orders for materials, equipment and services. Own the invoicing and closeout of all CapEx expenditures
• Expertise in engineering design oversight in developing, reviewing, and maintaining the standards
• Own the project execution plan. Establish Start Up criteria and manage the engineering, construction, and operations resources from Design through Qualification
• Manage the critical path of the project schedule. Immediately highlight and escalate issues that will cause delays. Partner with operations on coordination of install dates, staffing changes, SOP's, Training, etc.

Engineering/Technical:

• Solid engineering technical base refined with broad corporate and plant experience
• Strong general knowledge of plant operations
• Exposure to ESL, aseptic and food safety regulations - PMO, 3A and FDA
• Solid exposure to beverage packaging & processing
• Facilitate process feasibility studies and plant operations impact studies, including completion of design concepts, plant layouts, and capital estimates
• Ability to analyze, compare, and recommend process engineering proposals

The salary range for this position is $150,000.00 - $220,000.00 USD. The exact salary offered will depend on several factors, including the candidate's relevant experience, geographic location, internal equity, and market conditions. Danone North America additionally offers a performance-based bonus and has a strong benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug Coverage, 401k Plan, Wellness Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Flexible Time Off, and Paid Parental Bonding Leave, among other benefit plan options. To give our employees flexibility, Danone is a hybrid work environment.

This role is considered a "hybrid" position that allows for flexible work, meaning it is a role where collaboration with key stakeholders in Danone Hubs occurs. While you may have the option to work from home on a schedule as agreed to with your supervisor, you are also expected to regularly report to your assigned office location at least 3 days per week.