Senior Manager, Equipment Engineering

Rich Products Corporation; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Rich Products Corporation seeks a Senior Engineering Manager to lead, define, and execute complex, scalable technical solutions across the TCCS category. You will manage capital projects, line design, FAT, start-up activities, and validation, interfacing with Manufacturing Directors and VP of Engineering.

You will drive efficiency, yields, and cost optimization while guiding global cross-functional teams across multiple sites in the USA, with travel up to 50%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Chemical or Mechanical) with 15+ years in food, dairy, or CPG manufacturing.
• Proven experience leading selection, design, and development of new technology platforms.
• Direct experience with liquid processing systems.
• Strong analytical and communication skills for concise technical reports.
• Demonstrated business acumen and stakeholder influence across org levels.
• Experience leading global cross-functional teams across multiple sites.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering solutions and capital projects from inception to completion.
• Collaborate with R&D, QA, Sanitation, Manufacturing, and Engineering to define standards.
• Lead equipment definition and selection; assess impact of modifications.
• Apply Technical Readiness and Stage-Gate methodologies for new processes/products.
• Understand PLC/HMI architectures; design via Factory 4.0/Smart Factory principles
• Participate in reviews and communicate progress to leaders through forums.
• Adhere to capital project procedures and Rich's directives.
• Engage with contractors, vendors, and consultants with a collaborative approach.
• Provide technical training to other departments to improve operations.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Project management

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Chemical or Mechanical)

Tools

PLC/SCADA systems

Factory 4.0/Smart Factory

Job description

Rich’s, also known as Rich Products Corporation, is a family-owned food company dedicated to inspiring possibilities. From cakes and icings to pizza, appetizers and specialty toppings, our products are used in homes, restaurants and bakeries around the world. Beyond great food, our customers also gain insights to help them stay competitive, no matter their size. Our portfolio includes creative solutions geared at helping food industry professionals compete in foodservice, retail, in-store bakery, deli, and prepared foods, among others. With more than 13,500 associates working globally in 100 countries and annual sales of $5.9 billion, Rich’s is a global leader with a focus on everything that family makes possible. Rich’s®—Infinite Possibilities.

Purpose Statement

We are looking for a Senior Engineering Manager who is passionate about leading, defining, and executing complex, scalable technical solutions and projects on time, within budget, safely, and most importantly, in a manner that exceeds our customers' expectations.You will lead the delivery of a variety of projects from start to finish, including machine capability analysis, equipment design and modification, and the development of robust technical solutions to a range of production challenges. You will also identify and champion breakthrough technologies and solutions that will help drive our business categories into the future.In this role, you will seek opportunities to maximize efficiency and yields, optimize costs, and take ownership of capital project management, line design, equipment evaluation, operational performance, Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), start-up activities, and validation processes.The role will directly interface with Manufacturing Directors, the VP of Engineering, R&D, and other business leaders and functional teams.The Senior Engineering Manager will lead engineering activities across the Toppings, Creams and Culinary Solutions (TCCS) category for Rich's.This role can be based at any of our manufacturing plants in the USA, with up to 50% travel.

Long Description

In this role, you will seek opportunities to maximize efficiency and yields, optimize costs, and take ownership of capital project management, line design, equipment evaluation, operational performance, Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), start-up activities, and validation processes.The role will directly interface with Manufacturing Directors, the VP of Engineering, R&D, and other business leaders and functional teams.The Senior Engineering Manager will lead engineering activities across the Toppings, Creams and Culinary Solutions (TCCS) category for Rich's.This role can be based at any of our manufacturing plants in the USA, with up to 50% travel.

Main Responsibilities

• Lead engineering technical solutions and capital projects from inception through completion. Initiate concepts, develop designs and technical solutions, estimate costs, formulate business justifications, coordinate installations, troubleshoot start-ups, train required personnel on new technologies, and support the definition of a long-term technology master plan strategy
• Collaborate closely with R&D, Quality Assurance, Sanitation, Manufacturing, and Engineering teams to define equipment standards, standardize current processes, improve technical solutions, and develop new processes and packaging solutions
• Lead process equipment definition and selection efforts while championing engineering best practices for improved performance. Work with R&D, Manufacturing, and other functional teams to analyze the impact of new equipment or equipment modifications on existing operations
• Apply Technical Readiness and Stage-Gate methodologies to lead the development of new processes and products, ensuring they meet the highest standards of quality and efficiency
• Understand machine and process control architectures and components, including PLCs, HMIs, switches, and related systems. Design new processes and equipment using Factory 4.0/Smart Factory principles
• Participate in business category, R&D, and Engineering project reviews as required. Communicate project progress and key updates to operational and business leaders through scheduling meetings, plant reviews, and business and operational forums
• Demonstrate thorough knowledge of capital project procedures and adhere to Rich's directives and guidelines
• Represent the company's interests effectively when working with contractors, vendors, and engineering consultants, while maintaining a constructive and collaborative approach across the organization
• Assist other departments by providing technical training and guidance to improve operational effectiveness

Skills / Experience

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Chemical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering preferred) with 15+ years of experience in the food, dairy, or consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturing industries.
• Proven experience leading the selection, design, specification, and/or development of new technology platforms, including modifications to existing manufacturing assets. Experience leading front-end engineering activities and projects across a complex manufacturing network.
• Direct experience with liquid processing systems.
• Strong analytical and communication skills, including the ability to draw sound technical conclusions from limited data and prepare concise reports with technical and business recommendations that improve operational performance.
• Demonstrated business acumen with the ability to develop compelling business cases and effectively influence stakeholders across organizational levels and diverse cultural environments.
• Experience leading and influencing global cross-functional teams and multiple manufacturing sites to achieve complex business objectives.