Director of Engineering and Continuous Improvement

Director of Engineering and Continuous Improvement What this job is all about: The Director of Engineering and Continuous Improvement leads all maintenance, engineering, and capital project activities and is responsible for developing and executing strategies that enhance equipment reliability, drive process improvements, and strengthen overall operational performance throughout our facility and overall corporate campus on Avery Island, LA. This role ensures operational excellence in safety, quality, and efficiency while driving strategic initiatives and continuous improvement in alignment with company goals. As a key member of the Operations Leadership Team, the Director of Engineering and Continuous Improvement partners closely with cross-functional leaders to deliver on business objectives and fosters a culture of accountability, collaboration, and innovation. From our home on Avery Island, Louisiana, McIlhenny Company produces TABASCO® Brand products, including the legendary TABASCO® Original Red Sauce. A household and restaurant staple around the world, TABASCO® Sauce is sold in more than 195 countries and territories and labeled in more than 36 languages and dialects. With more than 150 years of pepper expertise, our family-owned and operated company is constantly experimenting with new flavors and products to carry on our legacy of exciting the world’s most popular food and drinks. To learn more about how we #LightThingsUp please visit us at www.Tabasco.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and LinkedIn. In this job, you’ll do things like: Provide hands‑on leadership by coaching direct reports, offering regular feedback, conducting regular 1:1s, and creating clear development plans to foster individual growth. Build and sustain a high‑performance culture by ensuring accountability and cultivating talent to meet current and future business needs. Model and reinforce the company’s core behaviors—communication, collaboration, continuous improvement, trust, and leadership—ensuring they are consistently demonstrated and promoted across all levels of the organization. Partner with the VP of Operations on strategic initiatives, factory operations, employee engagement, and project execution. Develop and execute engineering and continuous improvement strategies in partnership with cross‑functional teams including Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Finance, Quality, and R&D to achieve operational and business goals. Lead regular business reviews with operations departments and executive leadership to assess progress and align priorities. Collaborate closely with production and facilities maintenance teams to strengthen preventive and predictive maintenance programs. Design and implement engineering solutions to optimize production and packaging efficiency, capacity, and cost‑effectiveness. Provide engineering expertise and leadership for complex, cross‑departmental projects and strategic initiatives. Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications and establishing professional networks. Lead cross‑functional process improvement initiatives across manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and R&D. Apply working knowledge of product design and assembly to the manufacturing process. Develop and maintain systems for equipment and process flow measurement to support data‑driven decision‑making. Evaluate and implement “best value” solutions balancing new vs. existing technologies, automation vs. manual labor, and new vs. refurbished equipment. Other great stuff about this job: You’ll be more than just a number Take pride working in a privately held, family‑owned business with a strong team and culture where you are valued. Uniquely generous benefits: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401k savings plan with company match and potential profit‑sharing. Equal Opportunity Employer Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. Qualifications: Required Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial or Electrical Engineering or other engineering fields. 5+ years of engineering work experience in manufacturing operations. 3+ years supervisory experience in a manufacturing setting. Demonstrated ability to build and lead large teams, develop talent, and foster an inclusive value‑driven workplace. What will give you an edge: Working knowledge of packaging materials and food packaging and processing equipment. Experience working in a cross‑functional environment with a wide variety of stakeholder groups, a range of employee levels (from hourly employees to executives) as well as external partners. 8+ years engineering work experience in manufacturing operations. PMP Certification. Experience in CPG industry. Proficiency in Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies. Experience working with Microsoft products and track record of learning new systems and tools. #J-18808-Ljbffr