Operations Director, Engineering

Location: Arden Hills, MN Strongly Preferred (will consider virtual/remote if strategically located near major airports and sites)

Job Duties

• Coordinate and manage Dairy Foods capital budget of $50MM to include organization and maintenance of master project list, project prioritization, and feedback to the Dairy Foods plants on timing based on the overall Dairy Foods capital strategy. 

• Be a resource for Dairy Foods Plant Managers and the Manufacturing Directors to provide input into annual plant MRO budgets as requested.

• Provide input into Dairy Foods Strategy and lead Engineering-related efforts associated with changes to plant process and products to include, but not limited to R&D and Corporate Strategic lead projects.

• Coach, mentor and provide leadership to the plant project engineers and early career employees (e.g. Talent Acceleration Program employees and interns). 

• Supervise Senior Manager/Manager direct reports.

• Manage internal and external Engineering efforts and contractors for the execution and implementation of projects from concept through to successful handoff. 

• Work with plant operations and corporate functions on strategic projects involving business growth/innovation, Quality, Safety, Environmental, and sustainability projects.

• Stay current on industry regulations, innovations, and emerging technologies.

• Work closely with Plant Project Engineers to facilitate their continued professional and technical development.

• Lead the development, implementation, and maintenance of all applicable Corporate Engineering standards.

• Lead the development, implementation, and maintenance of capital development & project management process.

• Work with the cross-functional team to drive standardization between plants (structure, processes, design).

Required Competencies & Other Skills:

• Strong knowledge and experience regarding principles and practices of food (Dairy) manufacturing, including: Sanitary design, GMPs, food safety, quality, manufacturing concepts.

• Strong knowledge of USDA Dairy and 3A requirements.

• Strong communication & collaboration. 

• Multi plant experience preferred.

• Experience in capital equipment selection, scoping, bidding and execution (including budgeting responsibilities).

• Experience in Capital Project Management, concept through implementation.

• Ability to travel – anticipate annual average to be 50% -60%.  Must live near a major airport.

Required Education, Experience, and/or Knowledge:  

• 4-year degree, Engineering field preferred

• 8+ years’ experience

Salary Range: $159,520- $299,100

In most cases, candidates offered employment can expect to be hired at a pay rate near the middle of our salary ranges

About Land O'Lakes, Inc.

Join us and be part of a Fortune 250, farmer- and member-owned cooperative that is reimagining the business of food. We have been named a Top Workplace by Indeed and LinkedIn, and to the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list.

Benefits for most full-time roles include medical, dental, vision, PTO, life & disability insurance, education assistance, a 401k and a variety of well-being resources. Most part-time employees are eligible for prorated PTO, holiday pay, employee development programs, prorated education assistance, and a 401(k).

Land O'Lakes, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) M/F/Vets/Disabled. The company maintains a drug-free workforce, including post-employment substance abuse testing pursuant to a Drug and Alcohol Policy.

Neither Land O’Lakes, nor its search firms, will ever contact you and ask for confidential information over the phone or in email. If you receive a call or email like this, please do not provide the information being requested.