Director of Technical Services

The Director of Technical Services provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the facility's engineering, automation, and technical support functions. This role is responsible for maximizing asset reliability, operational efficiency, and technological modernization across all production lines. The Director manages the site’s capital expenditure (CapEx) portfolio, champions continuous improvement, and leads a high-performing team of engineers and technical specialists to ensure optimal plant performance, safety, and regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities

Plant Engineering & Asset Reliability

• Optimize Asset Performance: Design, implement, and oversee site-wide Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) and predictive maintenance programs to maximize equipment uptime and minimize unplanned interventions.
• Capital Project Management: Oversee the site’s CapEx budget from conception to completion, including vendor selection, equipment specification, procurement, installation, and commissioning.
• Facilities & Utilities Infrastructure: Ensure uninterrupted operation of all critical plant infrastructure and utilities, including HVAC, power distribution, compressed air, and water systems.

Process Optimization & Advanced Manufacturing

• Continuous Improvement: Lead Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Kaizen initiatives to eliminate waste, improve process yields, reduce cycle times, and lower overall manufacturing costs.
• Automation & Digitalization: Evaluate, justify, and integrate next-generation technologies—such as robotic automation, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)—to advance the facility's digital transformation.
• New Product Introduction (NPI): Collaborate closely with Product Development and R&D to seamlessly scale up and transition new products from prototype phase to high-volume commercial manufacturing.

EHS, Compliance & Technical Governance

• Safety and Compliance: Enforce strict compliance with OSHA, EPA, and local environmental, health, and safety regulations, actively fostering a proactive safety culture on the shop floor.
• Quality & Standardization: Oversee the creation, updating, and governance of all technical documentation, including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), equipment validation protocols, and technical training programs.

Team Leadership & Financial Accountability

• Talent Development: Recruit, mentor, and structurally develop a diverse team of process, mechanical, electrical, and automation engineers, establishing clear key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Budgetary Control: Develop and manage the annual operational (OpEx) and capital (CapEx) budgets for the Technical Services department, ensuring strict cost control and positive ROI on investments.

Qualifications & Competencies

• Education: Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a closely related technical field. A Master’s degree in Engineering or an MBA is highly desirable.
• Experience: Minimum of 10+ years of technical experience within a high-volume or heavy manufacturing environment, featuring at least 5 years of direct leadership experience managing cross-functional engineering teams.
• Technical Proficiency: Proven expertise in automation systems, robotics, control systems (PLC/SCADA), and plant utility operations. Demonstrable success in delivering multi-million dollar capital projects on time and within budget.
• Continuous Improvement: Certified Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt, or equivalent practical mastery of Lean manufacturing methodologies and root-cause analysis tools (5 Whys, Fishbone, FMEA).
• Leadership Style: Strong data-driven decision maker with exceptional communication skills, capable of effectively collaborating with both shop-floor operators and executive stakeholders.