Be an Early Applicant
At McCain Foods we know the importance that food plays in people's lives.
The Role
Lead global digital manufacturing transformation by defining roadmap, architecting analytics and AI solutions, integrating MES/SCADA/PLCs with cloud, developing predictive maintenance and anomaly-detection models, driving OEE and quality improvements, enforcing data governance, and scaling Industry 4.0 capabilities across sites.
Summary Generated by Built In
Position Title: Principal Engineer, Digital Manufacturing Innovation
Position Type: Regular - Full-Time
Grade: Grade 06
Requisition ID: 42596
In every role, McCainers are ambitious, curious, and passionate about creating exceptional work experiences - together. With a customer-first mindset, we make doing business with McCain easy.
About the role.
The Principal Engineer, Manufacturing Insights, is a high-impact leadership role responsible for driving McCain's global digital manufacturing transformation. This position leads the strategy, architecture, and execution of advanced analytics and AI-driven solutions to enable intelligent, connected manufacturing across a global network of production facilities.
This role serves as both a technical authority and strategic advisor, helping shape how data and technology improve operational efficiency, quality, and productivity.
What you'll be doing.
What you'll need to be successful.
About the team.
You will join McCain's Manufacturing Digital team, working closely with global manufacturing operations, supply chain, and technology teams. This team is focused on building next-generation digital capabilities that enable data-driven, intelligent manufacturing.
About McCain.
Click Here to learn more about McCain and how we provide opportunities to make an impact that matters.
Leadership principles.
The McCain experience.
McCain offers a fast-paced, innovative environment where you can make a meaningful global impact. You'll collaborate with diverse teams, drive cutting-edge initiatives, and play a key role in transforming manufacturing through advanced digital solutions.
# LI-MG1 #LI-Hybrid
Compensation Package : $111,700.00 - $149,000.00 . USD annually + Bonus eligibility
The above reflects the target compensation range for the position at the time of posting. Hiring compensation will be determined based on experience, skill set, education and training, and other organizational needs. This posting is for an existing vacancy.
Benefits: At McCain, we're on a mission to create a winning culture that puts employee safety and well-being at the heart of what we do, every day. We understand and appreciate that each person's needs are unique and ensure our benefits & well-being programs reflect that. Employees are eligible for the following benefits: health coverage (medical, dental, vision, prescription drug), retirement savings benefits, and leave support including medical, family and bereavement. Well-being programs include vacation and holidays, company-supported volunteering time, and mental health resources. Coverages are aligned with country, provincial and state governing plans and can vary by work level, location and nature of the role. Additional benefit detail available during the application process.
Your well-being matters to us, and we're here to provide you with the necessary resources to support you in being your best self at work - and at home.
McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. As a global family-owned company, we strive to be the employer of choice in the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that inclusion drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), please let us know and we will work with you to find appropriate solutions.
Your privacy is important to us. By submitting personal data or information to us, you agree this will be handled in accordance with McCain's Global Privacy Policy and Global Employee Privacy Policy, as applicable. McCain leverages AI in the hiring process, though all final decisions are made by humans. You can understand our approach to AI and how your personal information is being handled here.
Job Family: Information Technology
Location(s): US - United States of America : Illinois : Oakbrook Terrace || US - United States of America : Idaho : Burley || US - United States of America : Nebraska : Grand Island || US - United States of America : Washington : Othello || US - United States of America : Wisconsin : Appleton
Company: McCain Foods USA, Inc.
Position Type: Regular - Full-Time
Grade: Grade 06
Requisition ID: 42596
In every role, McCainers are ambitious, curious, and passionate about creating exceptional work experiences - together. With a customer-first mindset, we make doing business with McCain easy.
About the role.
The Principal Engineer, Manufacturing Insights, is a high-impact leadership role responsible for driving McCain's global digital manufacturing transformation. This position leads the strategy, architecture, and execution of advanced analytics and AI-driven solutions to enable intelligent, connected manufacturing across a global network of production facilities.
This role serves as both a technical authority and strategic advisor, helping shape how data and technology improve operational efficiency, quality, and productivity.
What you'll be doing.
- Define and execute a global manufacturing analytics and digital transformation roadmap
- Lead large-scale initiatives leveraging AI, IoT, and cloud-based platforms
- Architect scalable analytics solutions integrating MES, SCADA, PLCs, and cloud systems
- Develop AI/ML models for predictive maintenance, anomaly detection, and process optimization
- Drive improvements in OEE, production efficiency, and quality outcomes
- Establish and enforce data governance and standardization frameworks
- Partner with cross-functional teams across manufacturing, supply chain, and IT
- Present data-driven insights and ROI-based recommendations to senior leadership
- Identify and scale Industry 4.0 technologies (e.g., digital twins, smart sensors, automation)
- Lead organizational change initiatives and build digital capabilities across the business
What you'll need to be successful.
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Data Science, Computer Science, or related field
- 15+ years of experience in manufacturing analytics, digital transformation, or industrial automation
- 5+ years of experience in a senior leadership role
- Deep expertise in industrial systems (MES, SCADA, PLCs) and cloud-based data platforms
- Strong background in AI/ML, predictive analytics, and data architecture
- Proficiency in tools such as Python, SQL, Power BI, and Tableau
- Demonstrated success leading enterprise-scale transformation initiatives
- Strong stakeholder management and executive communication skills
- Ability to quantify and deliver measurable business value
- Certifications in Lean Six Sigma, PMP, or related disciplines are an asset
About the team.
You will join McCain's Manufacturing Digital team, working closely with global manufacturing operations, supply chain, and technology teams. This team is focused on building next-generation digital capabilities that enable data-driven, intelligent manufacturing.
About McCain.
Click Here to learn more about McCain and how we provide opportunities to make an impact that matters.
Leadership principles.
- Understanding customer needs
- Driving innovation
- Empowering people
- Taking ownership to deliver results
The McCain experience.
McCain offers a fast-paced, innovative environment where you can make a meaningful global impact. You'll collaborate with diverse teams, drive cutting-edge initiatives, and play a key role in transforming manufacturing through advanced digital solutions.
# LI-MG1 #LI-Hybrid
Compensation Package : $111,700.00 - $149,000.00 . USD annually + Bonus eligibility
The above reflects the target compensation range for the position at the time of posting. Hiring compensation will be determined based on experience, skill set, education and training, and other organizational needs. This posting is for an existing vacancy.
Benefits: At McCain, we're on a mission to create a winning culture that puts employee safety and well-being at the heart of what we do, every day. We understand and appreciate that each person's needs are unique and ensure our benefits & well-being programs reflect that. Employees are eligible for the following benefits: health coverage (medical, dental, vision, prescription drug), retirement savings benefits, and leave support including medical, family and bereavement. Well-being programs include vacation and holidays, company-supported volunteering time, and mental health resources. Coverages are aligned with country, provincial and state governing plans and can vary by work level, location and nature of the role. Additional benefit detail available during the application process.
Your well-being matters to us, and we're here to provide you with the necessary resources to support you in being your best self at work - and at home.
McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. As a global family-owned company, we strive to be the employer of choice in the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that inclusion drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), please let us know and we will work with you to find appropriate solutions.
Your privacy is important to us. By submitting personal data or information to us, you agree this will be handled in accordance with McCain's Global Privacy Policy and Global Employee Privacy Policy, as applicable. McCain leverages AI in the hiring process, though all final decisions are made by humans. You can understand our approach to AI and how your personal information is being handled here.
Job Family: Information Technology
Location(s): US - United States of America : Illinois : Oakbrook Terrace || US - United States of America : Idaho : Burley || US - United States of America : Nebraska : Grand Island || US - United States of America : Washington : Othello || US - United States of America : Wisconsin : Appleton
Company: McCain Foods USA, Inc.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Data Science, Computer Science, or related field
- 15+ years of experience in manufacturing analytics, digital transformation, or industrial automation
- 5+ years of experience in a senior leadership role
- Deep expertise in industrial systems (MES, SCADA, PLCs) and cloud-based data platforms
- Strong background in AI/ML, predictive analytics, and data architecture
- Proficiency in Python, SQL, Power BI, and Tableau
- Demonstrated success leading enterprise-scale transformation initiatives
- Strong stakeholder management and executive communication skills
- Ability to quantify and deliver measurable business value
- Certifications in Lean Six Sigma, PMP, or related disciplines
What the Team is Saying
Areej
Information Security Analyst
Sandra
Director Integrated Supply Chain Portfolio
.png)
Peter
Manager, Farm of the Future South Africa
Chuk
Global OT & Security Engineer
.png)
Am I A Good Fit?
Get Personalized Job Insights.
Our AI-powered fit analysis compares your resume with a job listing so you know if your skills & experience align.
Success! Refresh the page to see how your skills align with this role.
The Company
What We Do
The power it has to uplift and bring people, Guided by our purpose - Celebrating real connections through delicious, planet-friendly food - we believe that working together with our teams, business and community partners will bring sustainable growth and positive change - today, tomorrow and for generations to come. As a privately owned family company with over 60 years of experience, a presence in over 160 countries and a global team of 22,000 people, our values and culture are at the heart of everything we do. Our product quality, people and customer dedication help us achieve global sales in excess of CDN $10 billion. Through our investment and innovation, we continue to be a global leader in prepared potato products, including our famous French Fries and appetizers. We are passionate about supporting and developing our people-providing opportunities to grow and learn in their roles, as well as building careers for the long term.
Why Work With Us
We are working to bring digital tools and data into our processes to drive efficiency, automation and data-driven insights. From connecting our business, enabling our supply chain, supporting our customers, to reinventing agriculture. So if you are a tech expert looking to join a company transforming technology, think of McCain.
Gallery
McCain Foods Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
Typical time on-site:
Flexible
Florenceville
Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Toronto, ON
McCain Foods Australia & New Zealand
Potato Processing Technology Centre
McCain Foods South Africa
McCain Foods GB Limited
Taman Tasik Indah, Kuala Lumpur
Learn more
