Lead the development, planning, organization, direction and implementation of the strategic capital plan for assigned plants. Provide strategic direction and training to plant engineers and teams for project development and implementation. Provide guidance to plant teams for maintenance of assets and processes and leadership for sustainability and utilities usage reduction. Perform all jobs safely, efficiently and accurately to maintain and improve the performance of the entire plant in the areas of Safety, Quality, Reliability (SQR) and our Customer 1st strategy. Provide leadership that embodies our 7 Kroger Manufacturing High Performance Work System principles. Demonstrate the companys core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion and safety.
Responsibilities- Essential Job Functions:
- Leverage engineering expertise to design and implement manufacturing food processing systems
- Leverage engineering expertise to help plants establish and refine effective workforce scheduling techniques, as well as preventive maintenance, employee training, efficiency improvement and regulatory compliance programs
- Aid in evaluating new business and line extension opportunities to support outside sales efforts
- Work with the Regulatory Compliance team to provide the direction necessary to ensure safe systems operation in compliance with all state and federal regulations
- Travel frequently to manufacturing locations and vendors to support day-to-day operations and assist in the development and implementation of new facility planning, expansion and constructionOversee feasibility and engineering studies conducted in-house and by outside architects and engineers
- Develop clear specifications and guidelines for equipment purchases and working agreements with outside architects, engineers, construction managers and contractors
- Follow established programs, policies and practices to produce safe, quality foods that meet regulatory and company requirements
- Support the development, implementation, maintenance, and ongoing improvement of the SQF 2000 Systems
- Accountable to the Kroger Manufacturing Food Safety and Quality Principles
- Supervise and coach direct reports in the performance of their duties; complete performance reviews and provides feedback to direct reports
- Must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation
- Desired Previous Job Experience:
- Project Management certification
- Capital project management >$5MM
- 5+ years mechanical systems experience (power plant, steam, boiler, refrigeration)
- 15+ years of progressive engineering leadership experience
- Division capital plan management, reconciliation of spending to budget, and interaction with capital management
- Leadership of mechanical systems and sustainability
- Leadership of Maintenance Excellence team
- Leadership/tracking of Engineering department budget
- Oversight of engineering internship or career training programs
- Capital project/program management >$25MM
- Bachelors degree in mechanical or electrical engineering
- 10+ years of progressive engineering experience in food manufacturing
- Ability to make major decisions with limited information
- Technical expertise with Kroger manufactured products, ammonia refrigeration systems, compressed air system, steam systems, HVAC, building standards and codes, construction methods, sanitary design, controls and automation network infrastructure
What you’ll receive from us:
The Kroger Family of Companies offers comprehensive benefits to support your Associate Well-Being, including Physical, Emotional, Financial and more. We'll help you thrive, with access to:
- A wide range of healthcare coverage, including affordable, comprehensive medical, dental, vision and prescription coverage, through company plans or collective bargaining agreement plans.
- Flexible scheduling in full- and part-time roles with paid time off, including holiday and sick pay based on eligibility and length of service.
- Emotional and financial support with free counseling through our Employee Assistance Program and free, confidential financial tools and coaching with Goldman Sachs Ayco.
- Valuable associate discounts on purchases, including food, travel, technology and so much more.
- Up to $21,000 in tuition reimbursement over your career, through our industry-leading Continuing Education program.
- Vast potential for growth, through an abundance of industry-leading training programs and diverse career pathways.
Skills Required
- Project management certification
- Capital project management experience exceeding $5 million
- More than 5 years of mechanical systems experience, including power plants, steam, boilers, or refrigeration
- More than 15 years of progressive engineering leadership experience
- Division capital plan management and budget reconciliation experience
- Leadership experience with mechanical systems and sustainability
- Leadership experience with Maintenance Excellence teams
- Engineering department budget leadership and tracking experience
- Oversight of engineering internship or career training programs
- Capital project or program management experience exceeding $25 million
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical or electrical engineering
- At least 10 years of progressive engineering experience in food manufacturing
- Ability to make major decisions with limited information
- Technical expertise with ammonia refrigeration, compressed air, steam systems, HVAC, building standards and codes, construction methods, sanitary design, and controls and automation network infrastructure
Kroger Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Kroger and has not been reviewed or approved by Kroger.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage in many union divisions has been protected or improved in recent contracts, with some regions avoiding proposed cuts and others expanding spousal coverage and strengthening short‑term disability. Mental‑health resources and 24/7 access are also emphasized, supported by third‑party recognition in recent years.
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Retirement Support — Retirement options include a company 401(k) with a match and, in many union roles, access to pension or variable annuity plans that have been stabilized through recent agreements. Match levels and pension participation vary by division and role, so specifics require local confirmation.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Education assistance through “Feed Your Future” offers substantial tuition support for both part‑ and full‑time associates, alongside free financial coaching. Perks such as associate discounts and periodic Boost membership offers add incremental value to total rewards.
Kroger Insights
What We Do
At Kroger, we believe no matter who you are or how you like to shop, everyone deserves affordable, easy-to-enjoy, fresh food. This idea is embodied in our simple tagline—Fresh for Everyone™. Kroger ranks as one of the world’s largest retailers. We are nearly half a million associates across 2,800 stores in 35 states operating two dozen grocery retail brands and 34 manufacturing and 44 distribution locations, all dedicated to living our Purpose: to Feed the Human Spirit™. Together, we serve more than 11 million customers daily in our stores and online through convenient e-commerce options like pickup, ship and delivery, serving America through food inspiration and uplift. Customers love Our Brands, including the popular Kroger®, Private Selection® and Simple Truth® brands. Our own manufacturing plants produce many of Our Brands products, including breads, dairy products, meat and thousands of grocery items. We also believe in and are committed to doing our part to create #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025.
