Kinsa is recruiting for a: Director of Engineering

Location: Sioux Falls, SD (Hybrid potential as company has multiple plants in Iowa & MN)

175-200K

Summary:
Our client is a leading wholesaler of shell eggs and powdered, liquid, and frozen egg products both for retail and foodservice.

The Director of Engineering will oversee and lead all aspects of the technical organization including capital planning, project management, systems engineering, plant technical teams, technical development and theory of operation.  You will look at ways to maximize efficiency and yields, optimize costs, as well as take ownership of capital project management, effective line design, equipment evaluation and operation performance, Factory Acceptance Tests, start-up and validation.  This role will report directly to the CEO and will interface with all levels of the organization including the senior executive team.

Successful candidates must have ammonia refrigeration and boiler experience.

Responsibilities:

• Leads technical organization across the company providing individual development, strategy and execution of.
• Leads engineering technical solutions and capital projects from inception through completion. Initiates concepts, develops designs and the best technical solutions, estimates costs, justifications, coordinates installations, troubleshoots start-ups, trains required personnel on new equipment.
• Leads development and execution of 3-year capital strategy.
• Owns the “Theory of Operation” across all platforms demonstrating a strong material, equipment, and product knowledge.  Closely collaborates with Executive, Management, QA, Sanitation and Manufacturing on the definition of equipment standards, centerlines and standardization of current processes, the definition and improvement of technical solutions, and the development of new processes and packaging solutions.
• Develop and maintain material balances and unit operation capability information to ensure optimal production rates, parameters, and formulas.
• Apply technical knowledge, problem solving skills, and leadership to solve problems and drive improvements.
• Identify, develop, lead & execute equipment and system improvements that deliver financial and performance benefits.
• Leads process equipment definition and selection and champions the best engineering practices for improved performance. Analyze with Manufacturing teams and other functions the performance impacts of new equipment or equipment modifications across current operations.
• Represent the company’s position and interest effectively in dealing with outside contractors, vendors, and engineering consultants, as well as a constructive positive attitude across the organization and working teams.
• Assists other department’s efforts to provide technical training and guidance to improve operations.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) in Engineering or related field from a four-year college or university and a minimum of 10-15 years’ experience in the food industry.
• Ammonia refrigeration experience required.
• Boiler systems experience required.
• Professional Engineer (PE) certification preferred.
• Strong project-management skills.  Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience developing, writing and presenting capital requests.
• Forthright with opinions and recommendations.
• Historic track record demonstrating increased job and management responsibility.
• Proficient with work measurement concepts, practices and procedures with the food industry.
• Proficient with AutoCAD and Microsoft Office. 
• Strong interpersonal, technical, project management, leadership and presentation skills required.
• Frequent travel to 5 facilities is required (primarily in NW Iowa). 

Recruiter Information:
Dave Rothe
daver@kinsa.com