Head of Technical (Engineering)

Novaris Search; Michigan; On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Novaris Search is seeking a Head of Technical Services (Engineering) in Michigan to lead technical operations, product commercialization, and manufacturing innovation at a multi-category liquids facility. The role is hands-on and bridges product development and manufacturing, owning formulation scale-up, pilot trials, line troubleshooting, and capital improvement initiatives.

The ideal candidate has a relevant engineering degree and 5–10+ years of progressive engineering leadership in consumer

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical/Mechanical/Industrial Engineering or related technical discipline.
• 5–10+ years of progressive engineering leadership in consumer goods or contract manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of high-speed liquid filling and packaging operations.
• Experience scaling up from batch blending through validation and commercial launch.
• Hands-on, floor-based engineering leadership experience.
• Experience across complex, multi-category manufacturing environments.
• Problem-solving skills for process and equipment issues in a fast-paced production setting.
• Experience in personal care, cosmetics, food, and/or beverage CM is desirable.
• Lean Six Sigma certification is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical and engineering activities across the manufacturing site to drive performance and improvement.
• Provide hands-on troubleshooting across filling, crimping, capping, gassing and packaging lines.
• Optimize line performance, throughput, yields, reliability and OEE.
• Collaborate with Product Development to scale formulations to full production.
• Support batch blending scale-up and new product introduction across liquids.
• Partner with General Manager on CAPEX, automation, and line modifications.
• Lead root-cause analysis and continuous improvement to remove bottlenecks.
• Ensure documentation, practices and processes meet regulatory standards.
• Assist with customer-facing technical discussions on capability and scale-up.

Skills

Engineering leadership

High-speed liquid filling

Scale-up from batch blending

Hands-on floor leadership

Regulatory/compliance knowledge

CAPEX project experience

Lean Six Sigma

Problem solving

Multi-category manufacturing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical/Mechanical/Industrial Engineering (or related)

Job description

Head of Technical Services (Engineering)

Michigan / On-site

About the Company

Novaris Search is partnered with a growing manufacturer operating across a diverse range of liquid product categories, including personal care, cosmetics, food and beverage, and other specialty formulations. The business is continuing to invest in its technical and operational capabilities and is looking to bring in high-calibre individuals who can help drive the next phase of growth.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a company with strong momentum, a hands‑on culture, and genuine scope for progression. For the right individual, there will be significant opportunity to grow within the business and play a key role in shaping its future technical direction.

Position Overview

The Head of Technical Services (Engineering) will lead technical operations, product commercialization, and manufacturing innovation at a multi-category liquids manufacturing facility in Michigan.

This is a highly hands‑on leadership role, suited to someone who is comfortable operating both strategically and on the plant floor. The successful candidate will act as the bridge between product development and manufacturing, taking ownership of everything from formulation scale‑up and pilot trials through to line troubleshooting, process optimisation, and capital improvement initiatives.

The facility supports a varied production environment, including high-speed unpressurized liquid filling, RTD beverage production, and specialised aerosol and Bag‑on‑Valve (BOV) manufacturing. As such, this role requires a technically strong and adaptable engineering leader who can perform across multiple product categories and manufacturing formats.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead technical and engineering activities across the manufacturing site, supporting day‑to‑day production performance and longer‑term operational improvement
• Provide hands‑on troubleshooting and mechanical/process support across filling, crimping, capping, gassing, and packaging lines
• Optimise line performance, throughput, yields, reliability, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE)
• Partner with Product Development to scale formulations from bench and pilot stage through validation and full commercial production
• Support batch blending scale‑up and new product introduction across a broad range of liquid products
• Work closely with the General Manager on capital projects, automation improvements, and line modifications to improve flexibility and reduce changeover times
• Lead root‑cause analysis and continuous improvement initiatives to remove bottlenecks and improve plant efficiency
• Ensure engineering documentation, technical practices, and manufacturing processes remain compliant with relevant regulatory standards
• Support and lead engineering‑related CAPAs, validation work, SOP development, and technical documentation
• Act as the site’s key technical authority, partnering cross‑functionally with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and other internal stakeholders
• Support customer‑facing technical discussions where required, particularly around manufacturing capability, scale‑up, and execution

Candidate Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical discipline
• 5‑10+ years of progressive engineering leadership experience within consumer packaged goods or contract manufacturing
• Strong technical knowledge of high‑speed liquid filling and packaging operations
• Direct experience supporting scale‑up from batch blending through validation and commercial launch
• Proven ability to operate in a hands‑on, floor‑based engineering leadership role
• Experience working across complex, multi‑category manufacturing environments
• Strong problem‑solving skills, with the ability to troubleshoot both process and equipment‑related issues in a fast‑paced production setting
• Experience within contract manufacturing across personal care, cosmetics, food, and/or beverage is highly desirable
• Nice to have: direct experience within aerosol or Bag‑on‑Valve (BOV) manufacturing
• Strong familiarity with quality, sanitisation, and regulatory expectations in food, beverage, cosmetic, or related regulated manufacturing environments
• Experience supporting CAPEX projects, equipment upgrades, automation initiatives, or plant expansions is preferred
• Lean Six Sigma certification is advantageous

Why Join?

• Opportunity to take on a high‑impact technical leadership role within a growing manufacturing business
• Significant investment in people, capability, and operational improvement
• Broad scope across engineering, commercialization, process optimisation, and capital projects
• Hands‑on role with strong visibility across the site and wider business
• Genuine opportunity for long‑term growth and progression within the company

Application Process