Reporting to the SVP of Engineering, the Director of Technology Development Engineering will lead a team in the creation and development of new manufacturing technologies. The new technologies will deliver breakthroughs in system performance to improve operations and provide new manufacturing capabilities. You will identify and leverage emerging technologies within and outside of the industry and adapt them for our use. You will create strategies, vision, and roadmaps for new manufacturing technology development to support the Supply Chain Grocery & Snacks and Refrigerated & Frozen business platforms.  You'll have a strong business acumen to understand the cost drivers of the existing operations and a technical development mindset to deliver next-generation manufacturing technologies. You will partner and collaborate with organizational team members across engineering, the Supply Chain, R&D, and IT during program development and implementation.  You will also need to build external partnerships with mainstream and early phase development companies which can help deliver new technologies. `

Responsibilities:

• Lead a team to develop and implement breakthrough manufacturing technologies in process, packaging equipment, physical/digital automation, and material handling.
• Develop strategies and a road map to deliver new technologies which provide step change improvement which meet or exceed investment hurdles
• Develop a balanced portfolio of new technologies and capability to meet medium and long-term benefits.
• Identify cost-effective new technology opportunities, develop business case to support development and commercialize the technology at scale.
• Interaction with all levels of management within the Engineering, Supply Chain, R&D, and the business to establish strategic direction and priorities.
• Frequent interaction with top management of equipment and material vendors, engineering consultants, and installation contractors.
• Track record in building external partnerships.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related degree.
• Minimum 10 years practical experience in Consumer Products, providing engineering leadership and developing new technologies in a FDA or USDA related manufacturing environment
• Provide both tactical and strategic leadership.
• Demonstrated vision and execution of new process. packaging, physical/digital automation, and material handling technologies from development through proof of principal to scalable commercialization
• Experience leading, directing, and managing technical teams and budgets
• This position is located in Omaha, NE/Chicago, IL or select field locations and involves communication and coordination across the organization.
• 50% Travel to, and working in, manufacturing facilities in North America including travel to vendor facilities, construction sites, system startups