ABOUT SARA LEE FROZEN BAKERY

Sara Lee desserts have always stood for incredible flavor and superior value in the frozen food aisle and away from home markets. The Sara Lee Frozen Bakery collection of top brands includes Sara Lee®, Chef Pierre®, Van’s®, Bistro Collection®, Superior on Main® and Cyrus O’Leary’s®.
Sara Lee Frozen Bakery is proud to take these iconic brands into a new era and to continue the evolution that transformed one small Chicago bakery into an American institution. Using carefully sourced ingredients and time-honored recipes, the company is committed to making life’s moments a little sweeter, putting its customers first and discovering new ways to make everyone’s favorite foods even better.

FUNCTION SUMMARY:

The Director of Engineering plans and directs all aspects of engineering activities and projects within the organization. Ensures all engineering projects, initiatives, and processes are in conformance with organization’s established policies and objectives. Utilizes best practice engineering methods and provides expert technical guidance for engineering initiatives. Incorporates components, materials, and tools that result in cost-effective and quality output. Has a profound understanding of new and relevant technologies for the purpose of realizing efficiency. Ensures the optimal application of engineering resources to meet product development and consumer requirements. Responsible for maintaining the overall engineering budget and costs.
Works with outside engineering firms as required in order to manage excessive, short-term project workloads in order to meet aggressive, customer or market driven deadlines.
Manages a complex matrix of cross-functional relationships with Bakery Leadership, Finance, Research & Development, Sales, Quality.
The Director of Engineering has 3 direct reports and plays a mentorship role to all engineering team members, assisting in their duties as needed, and promoting the growth of their professional skills.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

• 10+ years of engineering experience with 3+ years of work experience as a Director of Engineering or in a similar senior-level position at an engineering department;
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering required. Master’s in engineering preferred.
• Food & Beverage Manufacturing/Ops experience preferred – Bakery Experience is a plus.
• Strong project management and leadership capabilities; high sense of urgency and accountability is required.
• Extensive technical knowledge of engineering and product development.
• Excellent financial skills and ability to analyze financial data.
• Uses vision, influencing skills and tenacity to drive initiatives through completion and leverage peer influence. Must be a master at managing in a Matrix Environment
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communicator; excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Sound interpersonal skills enabling the incumbent to work effectively within cross-functional teams.
• Ability to travel domestically to SLFB plants (~40% travel may be required)
• Mastery of project management methodologies and Stage Gate Process.
• Solid track record of coaching engineers to deliver projects on time, at cost, and at performance success criteria.
• Solid understanding of Product Launch and the role Engineering plays to enable an effective supply chain solution and startup. Understands technical readiness systems and the work required to support Vertical startups.
• Knowledge of engineering documentation systems.
• Able to organize and prioritize own work schedule and team schedules. Meet deadlines and work under pressure. Work overtime as needed to complete assignments.
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

• Schedule projects and follow up to ensure engineering deadlines are being met. Oversees progress and timeliness across all projects.
• Reviews project reports to ensure projects are on schedule and within budget.
• Plan, organize, follow up and make decisions regarding the execution of multiple projects and resources.
• Collaborate in the development of new products that will increase sales through a combination of ideas from multiple departments within the business.
• Develop and ensure adherence to departmental expense budgets.
• Provide all departments with engineering support as required including assistance with training and customer visits.
• Ensure compliance with standards and regulations.
• Manage projects by setting requirements, goals and timelines aligned with business needs.
• Prepare and manage the engineering department’s budget and the organization’s annual and long term Capital Budget.
• Design strategies for future development projects based on the company’s overall objectives and resources.
• Select, retain, and develop high level engineering talent.
• Implement innovative technologies and creative solutions to meet company needs.
• Coordinate with external stakeholders for new integrations and tools.
• Review and update policies relevant to internal systems and equipment.
• Plans and coordinates the work of engineering staff.
• Oversees engineering staff and ensures that they meet goals and objectives.
• Conducts performance evaluations that are timely and constructive.
• Provides training and mentoring for the Engineering team and technical leaders at our bakeries as well as for their own team.
• Key Supply Chain liaison with Marketing, Sales, FSQA, Finance, and R&D for all new products from concept to testing through first production run.
• Drives low cost and/or creative solutions that contribute to the EBITDA performance of the firm. Must balance speed vs. risk mitigation to move at the pace of this dynamic organization.
  The position responsibilities outlined above are not to be construed as all encompassing. Other duties and responsibilities may be required and/or assigned as necessary.