Engineering Lead- AFH

As part of the enterprise Zone Technical Execution (ZTE) organization, the Elevation Engineering Execution team plans and delivers new and renovated systems and capital assets at internal and external manufacturing sites across the North American zone.  Reporting to either an AD of Engineering or the Head of Engineering for the BU, the Engineering Lead is responsible for capital planning; project management; capital appropriation request (CAR) process; adherence to the Kraft Heinz Management System (KHMS); leading continuous improvement of plant / operations performance and capital management systems and tools;  coaching, mentoring and leadership of direct, indirect, and 3rd party personnel; technical design of projects; and contractor management for assigned plants. 

This role will lead key projects and ensure projects within assigned plants are appropriately resourced and deliver project KPIs. The Engineering Lead will form and maintain linkages with Manufacturing Leads, Plant Operations, North American Technical Services Engineering Teams, Global Engineering, Research and Development, Food Safety and Quality, Environmental Health and Safety, Capital and Supply Chain Finance, Capital Procurement, and Supply Chain Development (SCD). For assigned plants / manufacturing POD, the role will lead the cross functional Technical Peer Reviews for major Capital projects. Stakeholder management is key in ensuring early engagement in projects occurs and strategic and annual plans are built collaboratively and aligned across a highly matrixed organization. 

Essential Functions & Responsibilities  

Capital Planning & Budgeting:  

• Working with global zones sites, SCD and the capital PMO drive the multi-year and annual Maintenance and Growth capital planning process for assigned sites / manufacturing POD.  Collaboratively work to prioritize the Maintenance budget across the cross functional team including Food Safety & Quality, EHS, External Suppliers, FM Global, Roofing, PSM, Manufacturing and Supply Chain leads.  Ensure capital plans are obtainable, projects do not have unplanned impact to operations/service, and capital and expense cash flows are planned. 

• Accountable for the health, compliance and successful delivery of Maintenance and Growth projects within assigned plants / manufacturing POD.  

• Ensure safe construction practices are followed and new equipment installed is safe, effective and in compliance with KHC and applicable industry standards. 

• ​Mentor site Engineering and Capital Project Managers on using lean construction teaming, quality, safety, cost and delivery techniques.  

• ​Approve project change control request and use of contingency or supplemental funds.  

• ​Prepare and provide portfolio status reports to Global and North American committees.  

• ​Work with Fixed Asset team monitoring and controlling CWIP.  

Project Management:   

• ​Lead capital projects consisting of both internal and external partner firms and professionals to achieve approved project objectives from conceptual design through vertical startup. Project objectives include safety, asset or system capability or capacity, budget, schedule, and compliance.  

• ​Define and decide the final project budgets and schedules. Lead the Capital Appropriations Requests (CARs) submission serving as the speaker, advocate to capital investment committees.   

• ​Determines the project structure, resource needs and associated skills to successfully execute the project securing external resources when appropriate to deliver investments per the agreed timing and scope.    

• ​Ensure compliance to safety and environmental policies, procedures, and work rules for project personnel, contractors, and subcontractors from design through operational verification.  

• ​Develops a risk management strategy for the project and implements associated processes and tools to ensure effective identification, monitoring and mitigation of project risk.  

• ​Develop and maintain effective communication with project team, governance teams, business partners and other stakeholders. Prepares and provides routine progress reports ensuring sponsors and stakeholders remain informed throughout the life of the project.   

• ​Implement robust project and financial controls, including procedures for change control / management, cost control / forecasting, physical progress / productivity measurement, and invoice review / payment.  

• ​Ensure overall commissioning and vertical start-up aligns with the agreed handover strategy and the committed operations forecast.   

Capital Appropriation Requests (CAR) 

• ​​Audits, health checks  

• ​Work with PMO, Global / International on KHMS updates.  

Management System (Kraft Heinz Management System internally - KHMS) 

• Audits, health checks 

• Work with PMO, Global / International on KHMS updates. 

​Project Management Standards, Tools  

• ​Work with PMO in driving continuous improvement of capital project management activities for all KHC entities, and initiative projects to improve capital business process.  

• ​Develop and share best practices and key performance indicators (KPI's) to drive optimal Capex Management and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).  

• ​Build, maintain and administer on-boarding and training to site and network Engineering and Capital Project Managers.  

• ​Work with plant teams to develop cost savings opportunities and convert the prioritized ideas into projects.  

​Performance & Talent Management  

• ​Manage, coach, mentor direct & indirect reports including on-going feedback and annual reviews.  

• ​Work closely with Engineering, Technical Services, and HR partners to develop team members and help them reach career goals. Provide inputs, suggestions, and feedback on development plans to help your team members reach the next level.   

• ​Accountable for organizational change management and pulling in cross functional partners (HR) where needed.   

​Knowledge Management:   

• ​Ensure projects are aligned with the appropriate technical solutions while meeting cost targets and supporting project goals   

• ​Support Post Implementation Reviews (PIRs) to ensure change has been embedded into the Ways of Working.   

​Customer and Contractor / Vendor Management:   

• ​Partner with procurement early in project development to align sourcing strategy with scope, schedule and budget objectives.  

• ​Ensure the project has clearly defined technical requirements and specs to enable competitive, accurate bidding.  

• ​Along with procurement, lead key bid evaluations using KHC tools.​  

Expected Experience & Required Skills 

• Be consistent across the job posting, interview, assessments, and the job itself 

• Include specific, qualitative proven experiences versus generic years of experience 

• Include both “hard” and “soft” skills 

• Include skills that are observable, measurable, and assessable (speaking to their criticality to the role and business) 

• ​​​​​Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from an accredited engineering school or related field is required.  

• ​​Experience in engineering, project management and /or technical leadership across multiple sites.  Prior experience with a in plant technical role (Operations, Maintenance, Plant Engineering) is preferred.  

• ​​PMP certificate strongly preferred.  

• ​​Experience with strategic and annual capital planning.  

• ​​Strong background in process and packaging equipment for the food industry and / or plant facility engineering and maintenance including building construction and components, building utilities, mechanical and electrical systems, ammonia refrigeration systems, electrical controls systems, computer applications, facility support equipment, and water and wastewater systems.   

• ​​Demonstrated ability to Direct/Lead/Manage cross functional teams on large capital project/programs of $20MM or more.   

• ​​Understanding of capital financial and manufacturing Key Performance Indicators.  

• ​​Ability to work in matrix environment.  

• ​​Proficient understanding of project management practices; including project initiating, planning, execution, monitoring/controlling, and closeout.  

• ​​Working knowledge of pre-design and pre-construction, building systems/components and technology, contract management, project delivery methods and team building.  

• ​​Hands on experience in the negotiation and management of contracts and agreements with engineering contractors, vendors, regulatory and government agencies.  

• ​​Experience reading and understanding construction drawings (Architectural, Mechanical, Electrical, Process, Plumbing, Structural, Fire) and construction specifications.  

• ​​Excellent verbal and written communication skills and interpersonal skills required.​​ ​ 

Work Environment & Schedule 

This position is considered a ​Field based environment; role requires frequent travel to customer locations, stores, manufacturing facilities, etc.​ Additionally, this role requires ​willingness to travel to locations outside of home state for extended periods (up to 50%) as needed and the demonstrated ability to work remotely with little supervision. Ability to work to flexible schedule including days, afternoons, nights and overtime as needed.   ​ 

Physical demands include but not limited to: 

• ​​This role requires inspection of sites to detect safety concerns. Occasional need to scale heights and traversal of workplace. 

• ​Must be able to complete tasks in a noisy environment.