Do you love engineering and pets?
We may have the perfect job for you.

Champion Petfoods has an outstanding opportunity for an Engineering Manager to contribute to the success of our rapidly growing, well-respected international brands ORIJEN and ACANA. Through our award-winning manufacturing facilities - we continue to advance our mission of making Biologically Appropriate™ dog and cat foods from fresh regional ingredients.

Strategy, projects, and happy pets too.

The Engineering Manager will develop overall plant technical strategies focused on engineering, facilities, environmental projects, and equipment upgrades/additions.

This position will be responsible for developing vertical startup processes to ensure implementation of low loss production systems, providing solutions to technical problems, and making recommendations for improvements in production activities and managing the plant technical organization.

The Engineering Manager will also design plant specific engineering strategies to achieve performance goals for multiple state of the art manufacturing facilities and create and maintain the annual CapEx budget to achieve Champion’s long-term goals. This role will work closely with many other departments, including Marketing, R&I, Maintenance, and Finance.

Reporting to the Director of Operations this role will be based in Auburn, KY. Relocation assistance is available for out of state applicants.

You’ll have the opportunity to:

• Assist the facility in establishing safety of all our team members as the plant's first objective.
• Lead the development of the capital plan including the engagement of related manufacturing facility and corporate functions such as Safety, Sanitation, Quality, Environmental, Production, Maintenance, and Finance.
• Overall management and responsibility for the CapEx budget for Operations.
• Work with the manufacturing facilities in setting delineated roles, responsibilities, and accountabilities consistent with Champion goals.
• Foster a team-based problem-solving methodology.
• Mentor junior level engineers and managers to help further guide and develop their careers.
• Support the manufacturing facilities in driving business literacy through education of essential business issues and concepts.
• Coordinate with Supply Chain and Production major shutdowns for machine repairs or building modifications.
• Support the manufacturing facilities in conducting internal systems safety audits.
• Provide overall project and technical support to the manufacturing facilities as needed.
• Oversee periodic environmental reporting/monitoring as it relates to regulatory requirements
• Collaborate with other leaders in the manufacturing facilities and from Corporate to determine project validity and provide technical support as needed.
• Review large project plans to ensure that timelines and blueprints are accurate and that cost estimates tie in with the budget. Interpret developments along the way and provide advice and guidance for any necessary changes.
• Manage vendors and contractors before, during, and when required, after the project.
• Support the manufacturing facilities in participating in and leading project teams that improve safety, quality, labor relations, sanitation, costs, and customer service.
• Create a climate that promotes process improvement for all functions.
• Responsibility for engineering and project management will cover all manufacturing and warehouse facilities of Champion Petfoods Operations.

Background & Experience:

• Engineering Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical or Industrial Engineering.
• 5-10 years’ experience in a similar role.
• Leadership skills with the ability to effectively engage and collaborate with employees, supervisors, managers, outside resources, and stakeholders.
• Experience managing and supervising employees and supervisors.
• Budget management in excess of $5MM annually.
• Lean manufacturing or similar experience.
• Solid understanding of operations and business process with proven project management experience.
• Well-defined sense of diplomacy, including solid negotiations, conflict resolution, and people management skills.
• Motivated, energetic, goal-oriented, with a strong work ethic and positive team attitude
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

Keeping pets happy and healthy since 1985.

We are Champion Petfoods, a crew of pet enthusiasts looking to better the quality of food for our four-legged friends around the world. With over thirty years of growth in the pet food industry, our ORIJEN and ACANA brands have defined our vision of being The Global Leader in Advancing Premium Food for Pets. If this excites you as much as it does us, then we would love to hear from you!

Come as you are.

We value diversity in all forms and know the power it can bring. Workplace equality allows for creative ideas to bloom, diverse points of views to be heard, and increases overall happiness. That sounds pretty good to us.
Champion is an equal opportunity employer. Regardless of your race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, veteran status, or any other creed, you are wanted here.