Director, Engineering Project Management

Dairy Farmers of America•Cedarburg, WI

About The Position

Work cross functionally with multiple locations and teams in order to develop and execute strategic capital projects. This includes new site construction, expansions, and equipment and facility design or renovation for the Dairy Powders, Cheese and Taste & Flavors Divisions. Ensure project results meet requirements regarding safety, quality, reliability, schedule, and cost.

Requirements

BS degree in Engineering
Minimum of 10 years of multi-discipline engineering and technical experience in the food industry (preferably dairy), including plant capital projects and/or expansion
Working knowledge of general construction, mechanical, electrical, wastewater, and process engineering with a strong emphasis on dairy processing
Working knowledge of regulatory codes and blueprint reading
Working knowledge of GMPs, FDA, USDA and OSHA regulations
Understands and implements the concepts of design for maintenance, design for cleaning, design for safety and operational readiness
Working understanding of vendor contracting and contract management
Excellent planning, organizational, analytical, and leadership skills; ability to build a high performing project team
Strong interpersonal skills, maturity, and good judgment
Able to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, for a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders
Ability to communicate with and influence executive leadership.
Strong project management skills including ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Creative thinker with the ability to drive innovation close in and further out.
Strong vendor/contractor management skills with demonstrated ability to lead people and get results through others.
Ability to think ahead and plan over a 1-3 year timeframe
Effective problem analysis and problem resolution at both the strategic and functional levels
Proficient in Microsoft Project, AutoCad, Visio, and Microsoft Office applications including CoPilot
Must be able to read, write and speak English

Responsibilities

Deliver agreed project KPI’s for safety, food-safety, scope, budget, operations readiness, and timeline.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and execute strategic capital projects (scope, schedule, and budget) that support the business objectives of the Divisions and add value to our family farmer owners.
Build and develop project teams of internal resources and vendors/contractors that support and execute strategic projects.
Foster a culture of safety, food safety, sustainability and collaboration on all projects.
Ensure project budgets and spending are accurately estimated, accounted for, communicated, and forecasted. Coordinate and manage resources, both personnel (e.g., electrical engineers, technicians, contractors, etc.) and funding, to ensure the project or fulfills and meets the set objectives defined within the approved scope.
Use tools such as HAZOP, RASCI, RA’s, value stream mapping, value engineering etc. to ensure optimized project outcomes.
Support, coach, and develop direct reports leading their assigned projects.
Work closely with Sr. Directors of Operations in support of their respective plants. Coordinate with operational teams to ensure successful commissioning, turnover, and transition from project to reliable manufacturing operations.
Provide senior management with information/guidance on all aspects of project management and related matters.
Support the development and establishment of engineering standards for construction of new facilities, process systems, and packaging systems while maximizing manufacturing process efficiencies.
Support the development and implementation of continuous improvement ideas, concepts, and projects that support operational excellence throughout our dairy processing facilities, from receiving through packaging.
Function as the go-to technical authority as it relates to technical project management. Drive technical solutions and provide leadership for execution to attain desired results.
Design, identify, and/or investigate new construction, process, and sustainability technologies that will result in leading DFA to best-in-class manufacturing.
Analyze existing production methods and recommend modifications necessary to improve and streamline the manufacturing process, particularly in light of a planned new plant construction and/or expansion.
Communicate with DFA cross functional teams on projects, priorities, timetables, and budgets as required. Foster connections that build awareness of other teams’ roles and expertise while expanding understanding of engineering’s role throughout the division.
Continually strive to reduce facility and manufacturing operating costs by providing best option technical solutions and/or utilizing best method analysis towards improving internal systems.
Manage, coach, and develop team members to include developing job goal objectives and conducting performance reviews.
Provide coaching and development for plant project managers.