Director of Engineering

This range is provided by JSK Recruiting, Inc.. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more. Compensation Salary Range: $180,000 - $210,000 Bonus: 30% annual bonus, with the past 10 years paying out at 150% or higher of targets Incentives: Long-term stock options Relocation: Comprehensive relocation assistance is provided to ensure a seamless transition for the right candidate. Job Details Job title: Director of Engineering, Capex Projects Location: Greater Chicago Area Seniority: Director Employment type: Full-time Job function: Engineering, Manufacturing, and Project Management Industries: Food and Beverage Manufacturing, Dairy Product Manufacturing, and Baked Goods Manufacturing About the Role Are you a visionary engineering leader passionate about transforming the future of food manufacturing? We are seeking a Director of Engineering, Capex Projects to oversee groundbreaking capital initiatives, including new plant builds and advanced manufacturing upgrades. This role is critical to driving efficiency, sustainability, and innovation across a growing network of facilities. Why Join Us? Impactful Leadership: Play a pivotal role in shaping the future of food manufacturing through innovative engineering. Exceptional Compensation: Competitive salary, industry-leading bonuses, long-term stock options, and comprehensive relocation support. Growth-Oriented Culture: Join a forward-thinking team committed to sustainability and operational excellence. Growth: Lead transformative projects, greenfields and brownfields that define the next generation of food manufacturing. Next Step: Growth to a VP in the next 2-5 years Benefits: Maternity and paternity leave, low-cost medical, dental and vision plans with a strong bonus, and pension Key Responsibilities Manage a team of 10 Engineers and Project Managers Lead the development and execution of a 5-year capital master plan, aligning projects with strategic business objectives. Oversee greenfield and brownfield expansions, managing every phase from scoping to implementation. Optimize manufacturing processes by introducing advanced technologies, improving packaging lines, and enhancing overall efficiency. Cultivate and manage vendor relationships, including contract negotiation, RFP development, and partnership alignment. Build and lead a high-performing team of engineers and contractors, driving accountability and fostering professional growth. Collaborate across departments—operations, R&D, quality, finance, and procurement—to ensure project success and operational synergy. Monitor compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory standards while maintaining a focus on sustainability initiatives. Regularly evaluate project performance through KPIs, budgets, and timelines, providing actionable insights to stakeholders. Qualifications Education: BS in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, or related fields); Master’s/MBA degree preferred. Experience: 10+ years of engineering leadership experience within the food, beverage or closely related high-speed manufacturing industry. Expertise: Proven track record in managing large-scale capital projects, with a focus on high-speed packaging and process improvements. Leadership: Strong ability to inspire and guide teams, handle competing priorities, and deliver measurable results. Skills: Capex project management - $100 million, end-to-end project management and solving bottlenecks at 12+ facilities throughout North America. Fit: Flexible, able to problem solve, think outside the box and solution oriented. Travel: Willingness to travel as needed for project oversight and vendor engagement, 30% or less. Are You Ready to Drive Change? If you’re a seasoned engineering leader ready to make a lasting impact in food manufacturing, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today to be part of an innovative team shaping the industry’s future! #J-18808-Ljbffr