Reporting to the Engineering VP, you will participate in the development of the strategic vision and direction for Engineering and Operations Technical organizations, with enterprise leadership accountability for packaging, processing, and manufacturing automation capabilities. You will collaborate with senior operations management, Research & Development, Engineering, Food Safety, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Procurement, Manufacturing Excellence, and plant leadership to deliver business objectives, improve line performance, and strengthen technical capability across the manufacturing network. You will develop proactive strategies that support new product innovation, packaging and processing modernization, automation roadmaps, labor productivity, yield improvement, and startup excellence while ensuring safe, reliable, scalable, and cost-effective manufacturing solutions.
A Taste of Your Responsibilities
Collaborate and provide technical leadership to Engineering, Manufacturing, Food Safety, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Research & Development, Marketing, Procurement, Manufacturing Excellence, Environmental Health and Safety, Legal, and Continuous Improvement teams on packaging, processing, and automation strategies.
Serve as the subject matter expert for the selection, evaluation, cost estimating, and technical justification of packaging, processing, robotics, controls, and automation solutions.
Lead governance of engineering standards, specifications, controls architecture, sanitary design practices, performance specifications, and equipment standardization initiatives across the manufacturing network.
Oversee implementation of startup methodologies, including commissioning, capability verification, equipment acceptance, and operational handoff.
Evaluate emerging technologies including robotics, collaborative robots, vision systems, connected shop floor platforms, advanced controls, digital manufacturing solutions, and automation-enabled material handling systems.
Lead confidential and strategic initiatives involving technology due diligence, supplier evaluations, acquisitions, divestitures, and new technology assessments.
Establish enterprise-wide direction for compliance programs related to automation safety, machine guarding, sanitary design, controls standards, packaging systems, processing systems, and food safety requirements.
Provide expert-level support for packaging line performance, processing capability, automation troubleshooting, vendor performance, and project escalations.
Direct long-range capital planning for packaging systems, processing platforms, robotics, controls, material handling, case packing, palletizing, and connected manufacturing capabilities.
Develop and mentor engineering talent, technical experts, and cross-functional teams supporting packaging, processing, controls, and automation deployment.
Partner with plant leadership to identify opportunities that improve reliability, productivity, quality, and operational excellence.
Perform other responsibilities as assigned.
Ingredients Required for Your Success
Bachelor of Science or Master of Science degree in Engineering.
Fifteen or more years of engineering experience with a minimum of five years in food manufacturing or a closely related industry such as biotechnology or pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Three to five years of technical resource leadership experience.
Deep knowledge of food processing and packaging systems, including filling, forming, wrapping, case packing, palletizing, material handling, thermal processing, freezing, batching, mixing, inspection, and sanitation requirements.
Demonstrated success developing and executing enterprise automation strategies involving robotics, collaborative robots, vision systems, programmable logic controller and human machine interface controls, connected manufacturing platforms, data acquisition systems, and equipment integration.
Experience developing technical standards, performance specifications, equipment acceptance criteria, and vendor performance expectations.
Working knowledge of Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Environmental Protection Agency regulations, enforcement practices, and compliance requirements.
Travel up to 50%
Physical Requirements
More information about essential tasks and the facility will be shared during the hiring process. This role may require you to be in our manufacturing facilities. When visiting these sites, the physical requirements below may apply:
You may be required to walk around the facility, climb stairs/ladders, kneel, or perform repetitive tasks that require hand-eye coordination.
You may be required to lift or carry materials that can vary in weight and size.
This is a manufacturing environment with large, moving equipment. Noise levels can be high, and temperatures may vary.
#LI-SM1
#LI-Hybrid
#LI-Director
Compensation
Pay Range:$157,000-$241,000The annual salary listed above is the expected offering for this position. An employee’s actual annual salary will be based on but not limited to: location, relevant experience/level and skillset, while balancing internal Conagra employees’ equity. Conagra Brands will comply with applicable law regarding minimum salaries for exempt employees.
Our Benefits
We care about your total well-being and will support you with the following, subject to your location and role:
Health: Comprehensive healthcare plans, wellness incentive program, mental wellbeing support and fitness reimbursement
Wealth: Great pay, bonus incentive opportunity, matching 401(k) and stock purchase plan
Growth: Career development opportunities, employee resource groups, on-demand learning and tuition reimbursement
Balance: Paid-time off, parental leave, flexible work-schedules (subject to your location and role) and volunteer opportunities
Our Company
At Conagra Brands, we have a rich heritage of making great food. We aspire to have the most impactful, energized and inclusive culture in food. As a member of our 18,000+ person team across 40+ locations, you are empowered to reach your potential, make an impact and own your career. We're in the business of building champions – within our people and our iconic brands like Birds Eye®, Slim Jim® and Reddi-Wip®.
Our focus on innovation extends beyond making great food, it also reflects our commitment to embracing new solutions that positively impact our team, the communities we serve and the health of our planet. Foodies Welcome.
Conagra Brands is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, leave status, disability, veteran status, genetic information and/or any other characteristic or status protected by national, federal, state or local law. Reasonable accommodation may be made upon request.
Conagra Brands Chicago, Illinois, USA Office
222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago, IL, United States, 60654
Similar Jobs
What you need to know about the Chicago Tech Scene
Key Facts About Chicago Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 245,800; 5.2% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: McDonald’s, John Deere, Boeing, Morningstar
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, biotechnology, fintech, software, logistics technology
- Funding Landscape: $2.5 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Pritzker Group Venture Capital, Arch Venture Partners, MATH Venture Partners, Jump Capital, Hyde Park Venture Partners
- Research Centers and Universities: Northwestern University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Institute of Technology, Argonne National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
