Sr Director, Engineering

Winland Foods is a leading manufacturer of high-quality food products trusted by households and foodservice partners across North America.

Guided by our One Winland mindset and values of Excellence, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration, we are advancing how we operate—from the plant floor to the executive table—to build a safer, more reliable, and more competitive manufacturing network.The Sr Director of Engineering is a senior enterprise leader responsible for engineering strategy, process standardization, and end-to-end asset reliability across Winland Foods’ multi-site manufacturing network.

This role partners directly with Operations, Supply Chain, Maintenance, Quality, EHS, Finance, and Procurement to ensure that engineering systems enable consistent execution, predictable performance, and sustainable growth.This leader will move the organization from site-specific solutions to standardized, scalable, and repeatable engineering practices, while ensuring capital investments, technology decisions, and reliability strategies are tightly aligned to business priorities.Employee Type:Full timeLocation:US Works from HomeJob Type:EngineeringJob Posting Title:Sr Director, EngineeringJob Description:Work

Location: Remote and must reside in one of the states where our manufacturing facilities are located. (AZ, MO, KY, TX, IL, NY, SC, WI, PA, ND)Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) with match, STD/LTD/AD&D/Life, HSA, FSA, EAP, Hospital indemnity, Accident Insurance, Identity and Fraud Protection Plan, Legal, and Critical Illness.Travel: 50-65%Salary, based on experience and other

qualifications: $169k - $396k Annually with additional bonus potentialWe are seeking a transformative leader - someone who is as passionate about coaching and developing talent as they are about technical rigor and data-driven problem solving.

Establish enterprise engineering standards that drive safety, quality, cost, and service consistencyBuild a strong operating partnership with Operations to ensure engineering enables throughput, uptime, and capacity reliabilityOwn end-to-end asset lifecycle performance, from concept and design through installation, commissioning, maintenance strategy, and long-term reliabilityLead capital strategy that balances growth, cost discipline, risk mitigation, and return on investmentThis role is both strategic and highly operational—a visible leader who shapes direction while remaining deeply connected to plant realities.Key ResponsibilitiesEnterprise Engineering Strategy & GovernanceDefine and execute a

company-wide engineering strategy aligned to Winland Foods’ operational, financial, and growth objectivesEstablish and govern engineering standards, design criteria, and best practices across all manufacturing sitesCreate clear decision frameworks for technology selection, equipment design, automation, and scalabilityServe as the executive owner for engineering policies, stage-gate processes, and technical governanceProcess Standardization & Operating IntegrationDrive standardization of manufacturing processes, equipment platforms, and engineering approaches across the networkPartner with Operations leadership to ensure engineering solutions support consistent run strategies, staffing models, and performance expectationsTranslate operational needs into engineered solutions that are repeatable, maintainable, and operator-friendlyReduce variability between plants while respecting unique site constraintsEnd-to-End Reliability & Asset PerformanceOwn the end-to-end reliability strategy for manufacturing assets, from design and installation through maintenance and lifecycle optimizationPartner closely with Maintenance and Operations to reduce downtime, extend asset life, and improve overall equipment effectivenessEnsure reliability, maintainability, and safety are designed into all capital projects—not retrofitted laterChampion data-driven decision making related to asset health, failure modes, and performance trendsCapital Strategy, Portfolio Management & ExecutionLead development and governance of the multi-year enterprise CAPEX strategy, ensuring alignment with operational priorities and financial targetsOversee capital portfolio prioritization, trade-off decisions, and risk management across sitesEnsure disciplined execution of capital projects through robust scoping, business case development, stage-gating, and post-implementation reviewPartner with Finance to ensure capital investments deliver measurable value and predictable returnsTechnology, Automation & InnovationEvaluate and deploy automation, controls, and emerging manufacturing technologies that enhance reliability, safety, throughput, and sustainabilityEnsure technology choices are scalable, supportable, and aligned to long-term operating modelsCollaborate with Procurement and key suppliers to optimize total cost of ownership and long-term performanceLeadership, Talent & CultureBuild and lead a high-performing, enterprise-level engineering organization with clear roles, expectations, and development pathsDevelop engineering leaders capable of influencing across Operations, Maintenance, and corporate functionsServe as a visible culture carrier, reinforcing accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvementCoach leaders to think systemically, not site-by-siteSafety, Quality & ComplianceEnsure employee safety and food safety are non-negotiable design principles in all engineering workMaintain compliance with applicable OSHA, EPA, FDA, and GMP requirementsPartner with EHS and Quality to embed risk prevention into equipment and process designWhat Success Looks LikeEngineering is viewed as a strategic enabler, not a reactive support functionManufacturing sites operate with greater consistency, predictability, and reliabilityCapital projects deliver on scope, cost, timing, and intended business outcomesOperations, Maintenance, and Engineering operate as one integrated systemStandard work replaces one-off solutions across the networkQualificationsRequiredBachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Chemical, or related discipline)15+ years of progressive engineering leadership experience in manufacturingSignificant experience leading multi-site engineering organizationsProven success driving process standardization and reliability improvements at scaleStrong executive-level partnership with Operations and FinanceDeep understanding of food manufacturing, sanitary design, and regulatory requirementsPreferredFood or Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) manufacturing experienceExperience with automation, controls, and industrial digitalizationCapital portfolio management experience at the enterprise levelAdvanced degree or formal project/program management trainingWinland Values & CultureWe Put People FirstWe Deliver ExcellenceWe Act with IntegrityWe Win Together – One Winland​Why Join Winland FoodsHigh-impact leadership role with direct influence on enterprise transformation.Opportunity to shape engineering strategy and build a best-in-class technical organization.A culture committed to career development, collaboration, and innovation.Competitive compensation, benefits, and growth opportunities.Play a critical role in shaping the future of Winland Foods—where your ideas, expertise, and leadership will help drive breakthrough performance.Join us.

Let’s build something exceptional—together.EEO Statement:Winland Foods seeks to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool, and as a global company we believe our success is enhanced by fostering equity and inclusion in the workplace.

Therefore, Winland Foods is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.Originally posted on Himalayas