TITLE:                             North America Director of Engineering

LOCATION:                    Hybrid in Alsip, IL
on average 2-3 days/wk

COMP RANGE:              $170,000 – 220,000/year

Griffith Foods is hiring a North America Director of Engineering to provide strategic leadership and direction to our engineering teams in North America. This key leadership role will drive the development and implementation of engineering strategies, standards, and best practices to support the company's growth objectives and ensure the delivery of high-quality, innovative products and solutions.

This is your opportunity to lead a regional engineering organization to develop and execute business critical projects and commercialize new technologies in support of our mission of blending care and concern to nourish the world.

As North America Director of Engineering, your responsibilities will include:

• Developing and executing a North American Regional Engineering strategy aligned with the Global Engineering strategy and company's overall business objectives, market trends, and customer needs.

• Harmonizing regional investment strategies and technical platforms to enable business objectives and speed to market.

• Leading and mentoring a diverse team of engineering professionals across US, Canada & Mexico, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

• Collaborating closely with cross-functional teams, including product development, research and development, operations, supply chain and sales, to drive product innovation, optimize processes, and deliver superior customer solutions; and to integrate environmental considerations into product design, manufacturing processes, and supply chain operations.

• Driving continuous improvement in environmental performance through data-driven analysis, monitoring, and reporting of key metrics.

• Ensuring capital requests comply with relevant policy and guidelines and deliver against business objective and expectations.

• Drive implementation and incorporation of Lean and TPM (ex/ Early Management) methodologies to continuously improve project and plant performance.

• Partnering with senior leadership to define and prioritize engineering projects, resource allocation, and investment decisions to achieve business objectives and maximize ROI.

• Acting as a champion of a culture of safety, quality, and compliance within the engineering organization, ensuring adherence to relevant regulations, standards, and best practices.

• Cultivating strong relationships with key stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, partners, and industry organizations, to drive collaboration, innovation, and strategic partnerships.                                

The North America Director of Engineeringposition is well-suited for you if you:

• Enjoy collaborating with senior leaders to determine engineering strategy and priorities consistent with business objectives

• Are fulfilled by coaching and developing early career engineers to realize their full potential

• Are inclined toward continuous improvement and using TPM and Lean tools and methodologies to drive improvement

• Bring a deep understanding of process and packaging engineering and the relationship between equipment, process and product identity

• Crave personal and professional development and the opportunity to engage with industry leaders and represent Griffith at industry conferences

Qualified candidates will have:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, preferably chemical, mechanical or electrical engineering

• 10 years of progressive leadership experience in engineering roles, including at least 5 years in engineering team / people leadership experience.

• A background in Lean Manufacturing and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) methodologies.7

• Previous experience in food/CPG or pharmaceutical manufacturing industry

• Willingness and ability to travel up to 25% regionally (US, CAN, MX).

• Currently location within a commutable distance to Alsip, IL or willingness to relocate to Alsip, IL. Relocation support is available.

• Willingness & ability to work onsite in Alsip, IL up to 3 days per week, when not traveling.

• Candidates must currently possess unrestricted authorization to work in the United States. Work visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

What will set you apart:

• Experience in multi-site or regional or engineering leadership

• Master’s degree in engineering or a related field OR an MBA

• Experience integrating new plants or processes and commercialization of new products.

• PE license or designation

• Experience interacting with and influencing senior leaders.

There is potential for a discretionary bonus, with a target of 25%. This bonus is based on personal & company performance and is not a guaranteed bonus plan.

The Company offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

Medical, Rx, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending & Health Savings Accounts, EAP, Health Advocacy, Financial Planning, Parental Leave, Care.com, Adoption & Surrogacy Assistance, Education Assistance/Tuition Reimbursement, Safety Reimbursement, Lifestyle Spending Account, Group Life & AD&D, Voluntary Life Insurance, Short Term & Long Term Disability, 401(k) Plan with Company Match, PTO, Holiday’s & Leaves, Accident Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Hospital Indemnity, Home & Auto Insurance, Pet Insurance, Identity Theft Protection, Long Term Care + Life Insurance & Legal Assistance.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand and walk to communicate and listen effectively. This will require both office and plant floor environments.

Environmental Concerns

The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions.  Dust and odor present in environment.

Griffith Foods embraces WorkFlex, allowing employees to work from home most of the time, and select options like compressed work weeks, flex time, etc. that creates an effective workplace where work patterns meet the needs of both employers & employees. Most professionals come into the office once a week. Periodic onsite meetings may occur at our US, Canadian or Mexican locations.