Director Engineering - Processing

Reporting to the Senior Director Engineering, you will lead and develop a team of engineers responsible for end‑to‑end food manufacturing process design across more than 40 plants. You will provide enterprise technical leadership for process design, equipment specification, original equipment manufacturer selection, and detailed sequences of operation for new and modified manufacturing systems. You will be recognized internally and externally as a technical authority in food manufacturing process engineering, unit operations, and sanitary design, and you will influence decisions at the platform, business, and enterprise levels through strong communication and collaboration.

A Taste of Your Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of process engineering subject matter experts, building technical capability and strengthening succession.
• Own the engineering design for new and modified food manufacturing processes, including unit operations, process flow, sanitation concepts, equipment selection, and sequences of operation.
• Provide technical leadership to identify and advance key technologies, strategies, programs, and projects that increase reliability, food safety, quality, and manufacturing cost competitiveness.
• Partner early with Research and Development, Quality and Food Safety, Operations, Supply Chain, and other stakeholders to evaluate multiple process scenarios and align on solutions.
• Establish and drive standardization of process equipment and replicate best‑in‑class solutions across the enterprise.
• Lead development and review of Front‑End Loading packages that are complete, clear, concise, and reflect thorough due diligence to support successful project execution.
• Ensure Front‑End Loading packages include technology assessments, recommended solutions aligned with plant and enterprise best practices, general arrangement layouts, cost and schedule development, risk and startup requirements, and equipment or system performance criteria.
• Guide the identification of alternatives, prerequisites, risks, and opportunities to inform business decisions.
• Oversee development of detailed functional sequences of operation for processing and packaging unit operations.
• Provide order‑of‑magnitude estimates to give the business a directional view of potential initiatives.
• Stay current with emerging process engineering technologies, commercial applications, and applicable industry regulations and codes.

Ingredients Required for Your Success

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Biological Systems Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Deep subject matter expertise in food manufacturing process design, process optimization, and sanitary design.
• More than ten years of progressive experience in food manufacturing process engineering, with exposure to frozen and snack food unit operations preferred.
• Experience working with equipment and regulatory expectations in a USDA environment is preferred.
• Strong people leadership, written and verbal communication, and technical problem‑solving skills.
• Demonstrated success providing both tactical and strategic project leadership.
• Proven effectiveness working collaboratively within a matrixed organization.
• This position is located in Omaha NE, Chicago IL, select field locations or remote locations Denver, CO and east and within reasonable proximity (50 miles) to a major airport
• Willingness to travel up to 50% as business needs require.

Physical Requirements

More information about essential tasks and the facility will be shared during the hiring process. This role may require you to be in our manufacturing facilities. When visiting these sites, the physical requirements below may apply: You may be required to walk around the facility, climb stairs/ladders, kneel, or perform repetitive tasks that require hand-eye coordination. You may be required to lift or carry materials that can vary in weight and size. This is a manufacturing environment with large, moving equipment. Noise levels can be high, and temperatures may vary.

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Compensation 

The annual salary listed above is the expected offering for this position. An employee’s actual annual salary will be based on but not limited to: location, relevant experience/level and skillset, while balancing internal Conagra employees’ equity. Conagra Brands will comply with applicable law regarding minimum salaries for exempt employees.

Our Benefits

We care about your total well-being and will support you with the following, subject to your location and role:

• Health: Comprehensive healthcare plans, wellness incentive program, mental wellbeing support and fitness reimbursement

• Wealth: Great pay, bonus incentive opportunity, matching 401(k) and stock purchase plan

• Growth: Career development opportunities, employee resource groups, on-demand learning and tuition reimbursement

• Balance: Paid-time off, parental leave, flexible work-schedules (subject to your location and role) and volunteer opportunities

Our Company

At Conagra Brands, we have a rich heritage of making great food. We aspire to have the most impactful, energized and inclusive culture in food. As a member of our 18,000+ person team across 40+ locations, you are empowered to reach your potential, make an impact and own your career. We're in the business of building champions – within our people and our iconic brands like Birds Eye®, Slim Jim® and Reddi-Wip®.

Our focus on innovation extends beyond making great food, it also reflects our commitment to embracing new solutions that positively impact our team, the communities we serve and the health of our planet. Foodies Welcome.

Conagra Brands is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, leave status, disability, veteran status, genetic information and/or any other characteristic or status protected by national, federal, state or local law. Reasonable accommodation may be made upon request.