Director of Engineering

Talentfoot Executive Search; St. Louis (MO); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

[Not disclosed] in St. Louis is seeking a Director of Engineering to lead Engineering, Maintenance, Distribution, and Facilities, driving automation and capital projects across the organization.

The role reports to senior operations leadership and offers high visibility with broad impact, including safety ownership and team development, in a hybrid work environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in Engineering, Maintenance, Operations, Manufacturing, or a related environment.
• Experience leading multiple functional areas such as Engineering, Maintenance, Distribution, Logistics, or Facilities.
• Experience managing departmental budgets, resource allocation, and capital expenditure planning, including ROI analysis.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering, or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategies for Engineering, Maintenance, Distribution, and Facilities that support company growth and operational objectives.
• Drive automation, technology adoption, and process improvements across manufacturing and distribution operations to increase efficiency and scalability.
• Lead warehouse, distribution, and logistics optimization initiatives that improve service levels, throughput, and customer delivery performance.
• Oversee capital expenditure planning, facility upgrades, infrastructure investments, and engineering projects from business case through completion.
• Lead preventative and predictive maintenance programs that maximize equipment reliability and uptime across multiple facilities.
• Optimize warehouse management systems, inventory movement, and distribution technologies to improve accuracy and material flow.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators for productivity, safety, quality, cost, and asset utilization, and use the results to guide decisions.
• Partner with Supply Chain, Operations, and executive leadership to align priorities and improve material flow across the business.
• Foster a culture of safety and accountability across maintenance and distribution operations.
• Build, coach, and develop high-performing teams while driving continuous improvement throughout the organization.

Skills

Leadership experience

Operations leadership

Automation

Maintenance

Warehouse operations

Budget management

Capital expenditure planning

Process transformation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering

Job description

Our client is a privately held, family-owned apparel manufacturer with more than 60 years of leadership in its category, serving customers across North America and beyond. The company designs, produces, and distributes its products, handling every step from concept to delivered product in-house. A talented, tenured team and steady investment in people, products, and technology have built a culture rooted in craftsmanship and community. As the business continues to grow, it is investing in the systems and infrastructure that will define its next chapter and is seeking a Director of Engineering to lead that work.

This is a rare opportunity to step into a newly created leadership role with a direct line to senior operations leadership and a real hand in shaping how a respected manufacturer scales. Reporting to the SVP of Operations, the Director of Engineering will lead Engineering, Maintenance, Distribution, and Facilities across the organization. First, the role offers exceptional breadth, bringing automation, maintenance strategy, warehouse optimization, and facility investment together under a single leader. Second, it carries high visibility and influence, with ownership of day‑to‑day operational performance that frees senior leadership to focus on long‑term strategy. Third, it offers the chance to lead major capital projects and modernization initiatives that will directly support the company's growth, while building and developing a high‑performing team. This is a hybrid position based in St. Louis, Missouri, with an on‑site schedule of approximately 70%.

Position Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategies for Engineering, Maintenance, Distribution, and Facilities that support company growth and operational objectives
• Drive automation, technology adoption, and process improvements across manufacturing and distribution operations to increase efficiency and scalability
• Lead warehouse, distribution, and logistics optimization initiatives that improve service levels, throughput, and customer delivery performance
• Oversee capital expenditure planning, facility upgrades, infrastructure investments, and engineering projects from business case through completion
• Lead preventative and predictive maintenance programs that maximize equipment reliability and uptime across multiple facilities
• Optimize warehouse management systems, inventory movement, and distribution technologies to improve accuracy and material flow
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators for productivity, safety, quality, cost, and asset utilization, and use the results to guide decisions
• Partner with Supply Chain, Operations, and executive leadership to align priorities and improve material flow across the business
• Foster a culture of safety and accountability across maintenance and distribution operations
• Build, coach, and develop high‑performing teams while driving continuous improvement throughout the organization

Position Qualifications

• Proven track record of leading large‑scale operational improvements, capital projects, and process transformation initiatives with measurable results
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in Engineering, Maintenance, Operations, Manufacturing, or a related environment
• Experience leading multiple functional areas, such as Engineering, Maintenance, Distribution, Logistics, or Facilities
• Experience managing departmental budgets, resource allocation, and capital expenditure planning, including ROI analysis
• Strong understanding of preventative and predictive maintenance, warehouse operations, distribution systems, and inventory control
• Experience implementing automation, operational technology, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering, or a related field

Preferred

• Master's degree in a related field
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and process optimization principles
• Ability to balance strategic planning with hands‑on operational execution and to influence change across cross‑functional teams