Director of Engineering

Lawler Foods; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Dessert Holdings, the leading premium dessert company, seeks a Director of Engineering to lead capital projects and manufacturing improvements across its ten food plants. Based in St.

Paul, MN or near a facility, this role travels to sites as needed and coordinates with Corporate and Site Management teams. You will drive asset and process standardization, champion automation and Lean practices, and manage 3–5 year capital plans, budgets, and vendor contracts while ensuring GMP, OSHA, EPA, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering required or equivalent technical degree.
• 10-15 years of engineering leadership with project management and food manufacturing experience.
• Ability to travel up to 75% across US and Canada.
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills.
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and drive initiatives with management.
• Experience with automation and robotics in manufacturing.
• Knowledge of six sigma and Lean Manufacturing principles.
• Familiarity with GMPs and regulatory requirements (OSHA, EPA, FDA).

Responsibilities

• Provide engineering leadership for multiple facilities and project engineers.
• Manage capital projects including expansions and brownfield/greenfield work.
• Champion cost-reduction projects through process or equipment improvements and automation.
• Define technology and capabilities to support new business and line extensions.
• Develop 3–5 year capital plans, budgets, and contractor coordination.
• Prepare studies, estimates, and capital justifications in approved formats.
• Ensure facility planning, equipment specifications, and regulatory compliance.
• Maintain engineering records and coordinate with vendors and external partners.
• Communicate effectively with plant personnel and corporate teams.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Project management

Communication skills

Lean Six Sigma

AutoCAD

GMP knowledge

Robotics

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Director of Engineering (Food Manufacturing)

Dessert Holdings is the leading premium dessert company in the world. We craft artisanal, scratch-made desserts at scale, combining culinary innovation with the finest real ingredients. With a rich heritage spanning seven distinctive brands, we bring unmatched expertise and tailored solutions to our Retail and Foodservice partners.

Dessert Holdings is looking for a Director of Engineering to be based in St. Paul, MN or ideally near one of our production facilities, who will travel as needed to sites for projects. Under the direction of the VP of Engineering & Reliability and in coordination with Corporate and Site Management teams, this individual will provide technical and professional leadership for project management and engineering across Dessert Holdings' tenFood Manufacturing Plants. This role is responsible for capital projects and for identifying, vetting, and championing new manufacturing opportunities and new or emerging technical advancements. This position requires strong personal initiative to identify opportunities, achieve engineering standardization, and implement asset and process best practices within the Dessert Holdings manufacturing facilities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide engineering counsel and leadership for multiple facilities and internal and external project engineers.
• Manage and execute all facets of Dessert Holdings capital projects such as building expansions, and capacity expansion including brownfield and greenfield projects.
• Identify and champion cost reduction projects (capital and non-capital) through process or equipment improvements, capital automation, and robotic opportunities.
• Define technology and manufacturing capabilities to support new business and line extensions.
• Aid with developing 3/5-Year Capital Plan, including originating capital appropriation requests, developing project schedules and work teams, writing of contracts, coordinating project activities, controlling project funds, and implementing startup/training procedures as necessary.
• Write capital projects that include preparation of studies, proposals, estimates, technical reports, capital required, cash flow on approved CEA format.
• Assist in the development and implementation of new facility planning and construction. Includes developing packages, creating equipment and construction specifications, establishing and tracking project budgets, utility utilization, EPA and OSHA requirements, knowledge of GMP's, writing and justifying projects.
• Administer project bid documents and assist with rewarding contracts to outside vendors, architects, and engineers.
• Create and maintain the appropriate engineering records including equipment records and manuals, drawings and diagrams, inspection reports and legal records as required by the appropriate agencies.
• Maintain effective reporting and communication with the appropriate people both within and outside of the plant.
• Work closely with outside agencies in their respective fields, i.e., OSHA, EPA, FDA, etc., to ensure plant compliance with current regulations.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in engineering required or equivalent technical degree. Substantial applicable experience will also be considered.
• 10-15 years of engineering leadership with progressive technical and/or management experience including project management and extensive food manufacturing experience
• Ability to travel up to 75%, throughout the US (8 sites) and Canada (2 sites)
• Hands on approach to problem solving with creative solutions and ability to handle ambiguity
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Understand business implications of decisions, align work with strategic goals
• Ability to prioritize and plan work activities, set goals, timelines, and objectives
• Display original thinking, creativity and resourcefulness to generate innovative approaches and ideas
• Ability to create and drive automation opportunities including robotic manufacturing capability
• Possess leadership skills and the ability to effectively manage and communicate with engineers, construction personnel, project managers, clients and executives
• Demonstrated proficiency in Word, Excel, Gantt, Power Point, AutoCAD, and project planners
• Familiarity with controls, process, packaging, electrical, mechanical, refrigeration systems
• Knowledge of six sigma and Lean Manufacturing principles

About Dessert Holdings

Dssert Holdings is a collection of premium dessert companies and brands: The Original Cakerie, Lawler's Desserts, Atlanta Cheesecake Company, Steven Charles, Dianne's Fine Desserts, Kenny's Great Pies, and Willamette Valley Pie Company. Dessert Holdings is owned by Bain Capital, is headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, employs more than 3,500 people across ten manufacturing facilities, and is continuing its journey of rapid growth.

EEO Statement

Dessert Holdings and its related entities provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or any other characteristics protected by law.

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