Director, Engineering & Business Development

Just Born, Inc.; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) with company contributions

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Just Born, Inc. in Bethlehem, PA, a family-owned candy maker behind PEEPS, MIKE AND IKE, HOT TAMALES, and GOLDENBERG’S PEANUT CHEWS, seeks a Director of Engineering & Business Development.

You will shape engineering strategy, capital planning, and manufacturing commercialization across our network, leading a team of three and partnering to drive growth and operational excellence. You will influence product design, capacity, and network strategies, oversee capital budgets, and ensure safe,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or equivalent; Master’s or MBA desired.
• 10+ years in engineering/operations leadership within food/CPG manufacturing, multi-site exposure.
• Experience partnering with commercialization teams to bring products to market through stage-gate processes.

Responsibilities

• Set long-range engineering strategy aligned with growth goals and asset optimization.
• Lead capital planning and project portfolio management across manufacturing sites.
• Oversee commercialization readiness, including capacity inputs and risk assessments.
• Drive network capacity strategy and make/buy analyses for production decisions.
• Develop and mentor a multi-site engineering and facilities organization.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Capital planning

Commercialization

Capacity planning

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

MBA or Master's preferred

Tools

IRR analysis

NPV modeling

Capital budgeting

Job description

Just Born, Inc is a family-owned candy manufacturer that has been creating joyful moments for generations. Founded in 1923 and headquartered in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, we are proud to produce iconic brands like PEEPS®, MIKE AND IKE®, HOT TAMALES®, and GOLDENBERG’S® PEANUT CHEWS®.

Our purpose is simple: to create joyful moments and build stronger communities. Guided by our highest ideals - to take care of each other, do the right thing, and give forward - we remain committed to our people, our consumers, our community, and the planet.

Position Summary

The Director of Engineering & Business Development leads engineering strategy, capital planning, commercialization support, and long-range capacity planning across Just Born's manufacturing network. This role drives the manufacturing capabilities, infrastructure, and technologies needed to support growth, innovation, and operational excellence.

The Director leads a team of three professionals across Project Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, and Contract Manufacturing, while partnering across the business to evaluate capacity, advance commercialization efforts, oversee capital investments, and execute strategic manufacturing initiatives.

Location

Bethlehem, PA

How You’ll Impact Results

• Engineering Strategy & Technical Leadership
• Set the long-term engineering strategy aligned with operational goals, asset optimization priorities, and growth requirements.
• Establish and maintain engineering standards that ensure safety, quality, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence.
• Champion advanced processes, equipment strategies, and technologies that advance manufacturing and enhance asset performance and manufacturing efficiency.
• Provide strategic oversight of facilities, utilities, and site infrastructure to maintain safe, compliant, and reliable manufacturing environments.
• Develop relationships with 3 rd party engineering firms to deliver high quality, on time, on budget engineering projects.

• Commercialization & Business Development
• Support commercialization of new and renovated products by providing operational feasibility assessments, capacity inputs, and manufacturing readiness.
• Ensure accurate engineering and technical deliverables for commercialization stages, including risk assessments, material readiness, and operational data.
• Influence product design, packaging, and process decisions for cost efficiency, manufacturability, and network fit.
• Identify new equipment to meet future state business needs.
• Network Capacity Strategy
• Lead enterprise-level capacity assessment to support long-term growth, network scaling, and operational resilience.
• Conduct make/buy analyses to determine whether production should be internal or outsourced to contract manufacturers, considering cost, capability, capacity, and capital needs.
• Recommend network strategies that optimize total cost, service performance, asset utilization, and scalability.
• Capital Planning & Project Portfolio Management
• Lead development and execution of the 3-5 year capital strategy that supports growth, infrastructure needs, and technology advancement.
• Oversee the Operations Capital Equipment Approval (CEA) process and ensure consistent application of the Capital Project Process (CPP).
• Direct the portfolio of capital projects across manufacturing sites and functional areas, ensuring alignment to budget, schedule, scope, and expected outcomes.
• Provide accurate capital budgets, forecasts, and IRR evaluations to drive disciplined financial decision-making.
• Productivity, Continuous Improvement & Operations Support
• Drive site productivity plans and annual productivity planning, as they relate to capital projects, ensuring alignment with company cost, waste, and operational targets.
• Lead engineering-related process optimization, simplification, and loss-elimination initiatives in partnership with CI resources.
• Leadership, Talent Development & Culture
• Lead and develop a multi-disciplinary engineering and facilities organization, ensuring capability-building, technical depth, and succession readiness.
• Drive a culture of innovation, disciplined project execution, and cross-functional partnership.

Your Qualifications That Will Ensure Success

Education & Certification

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical preferred) or equivalent experience; Master's degree or MBA desired.

Experience

• 10+ years in engineering and operations leadership within food, CPG, or closely related manufacturing, with multi-site exposure. Confectionery experience is a plus.
• Demonstrated success building and executing a 3-5 year capital and technology roadmap, including portfolio prioritization, IRR and NPV based decisions, and on-time start-ups that deliver promised outcomes.
• Proven track record partnering with commercialization teams to bring new or renovated products to market through I2M or similar stage-gate processes, from feasibility through launch readiness.

Skills & Knowledge

• Ability to set and execute long-range engineering, capacity, and manufacturing infrastructure strategies that support growth, compliance, and operational performance.
• Demonstrated capability to successfully convert strategy into clear annual execution plans with defined milestones, risks, and cross-functional alignment.
• Experience working with 3 rd party engineering firms to accomplish capital engineering project work.
• Skilled at challenging entrenched practices, raising standards, and driving meaningful improvements through data-driven problem solving.
• Ability to build, develop, and mentor a high-performing engineering, CI, and facilities organization across multiple sites.
• Strong financial and business acumen, including comfort with capital evaluation tools such as IRR, NPV, cost modeling, and make/buy analysis.
• Plant manufacturing knowledge with the ability to diagnose issues at the line, coach teams and bridge strategy with hands-on support.
• Proven strength in Continuous Improvement methodologies (IWS, Lean, TPM, IL6S, or similar) with a track record of standardizing and simplifying processes while eliminating waste.

Just Born is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer: Female / Minority / Disability / Protected Veteran / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity

Our Pledge to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Vision

Just Born's Vision is to create a workplace where every associate feels inspired and confident to bring their whole selves to work.

Purpose

Our purpose is to bring sweetness to people’s lives which can only be fully realized if Just Born values every individual we touch.

To pursue this vision

• We will act boldly with integrity, authenticity and humility
• We will listen with intent, curiosity and a passion to learn and grow
• We will lift all voices and create an equitable environment for all

Why it's Sweet to Work at Just Born

• Legacy & Stability: 103+ years of iconic brands and family-owned success.
• Inclusive Culture: We're building a workplace where everyone belongs and can thrive.
• Competitive Compensation: Base salary, Achievement Awards, and generous 401(k) with company contributions.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Health, dental, vision, HSA contributions, and flexible options.
• Work/Life Balance: Paid time off and holidays from day one.
• Wellness & Growth: Onsite wellness programs, tuition reimbursement, and Employee Assistance Programs.