Winland Foods is hiring: Manufacturing Engineering Director in Columbia

Winland Foods, a leading manufacturer of high‑quality food products across North America, is looking for a Manufacturing Engineering Director to lead its engineering strategy and drive process excellence across 11 manufacturing sites.

Location & Work Style

Remote (US) – must reside in AZ, MO, KY, TX, IL, NY, SC, WI, PA, or ND. Up to 75% travel.

Schedule

Full time – Remote with up to 75% travel.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• 401(k) with match
• STD/LTD/AD&D/Life, HSA, FSA
• EAP, Hospital indemnity, Accident Insurance, Identity & Fraud Protection Plan, Legal, and Critical Illness.

Salary

$136,000 – $238,000 annually plus bonus potential.

Job Description

The Director of Engineering will develop and execute the manufacturing engineering strategy across Winland Foods’ pasta and dry dinner production facilities. The role will guide a cross‑functional team of engineers and partner with Operations, Supply Chain, Maintenance, Quality, EHS, and Finance to achieve excellence in safety, cost per pound, service, quality, and sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute engineering strategy aligned to business objectives.
• Advance continuous improvement to improve cost per pound and productivity while enhancing quality and service.
• Drive standardization of processes and best practices across sites.
• Lead capital planning and execution to optimize capacity, technology upgrades, cost savings, and facility expansions.
• Develop and manage the 3‑year CAPEX plan for the Pasta Plant network.
• Lead and support project development, prepare capital authorization documents, and ensure project success.
• Evaluate emerging technologies that enhance automation, sustainability, and throughput.
• Partner with procurement and vendors to manage equipment selection, installation, commissioning, and training.
• Lead and support projects through ideation, stage gating, scoping, approval, final engineering/design, procurement, construction, commissioning, qualification, and validation.
• Prepare business‑case screening scopes and cost estimates.
• Build, mentor, and inspire a high‑performing, diverse engineering team.
• Foster a culture of curiosity, collaboration, and accountability.
• Directly engage with plant teams to support capability building and performance coaching.
• Lead engineering efforts related to processing, packaging, and automation to improve efficiency and reliability.
• Partner with Operations, Quality, and Maintenance to reduce downtime and improve equipment life cycles.
• Ensure safety—both employee and food safety—remains a non‑negotiable priority.
• Provide leadership, resources, and on‑site troubleshooting to resolve plant‑related technical issues.

What Great Looks Like

• Proactive, visible leader who builds trust and alignment across teams.
• Strategic thinker who also loves rolling up sleeves on the plant floor. Expected travel ~50‑65%.
• Compelled by measurable results, sustainable standard work, and continuous improvement.
• Strong communicator who energizes others and champions Winland Values across functions.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Chemical, or related Engineering.
• 10+ years manufacturing engineering experience; at least 5 years in a multi‑site environment.
• Proven track record in capital planning and execution, and project management.
• Demonstrated leadership by building and developing high‑performing engineering teams.
• Strong ability to collaborate cross‑functionally and influence at all organizational levels.
• Working knowledge of sanitary equipment design, Good Manufacturing Practices, and regulatory standards (OSHA, EPA, FDA).
• Proficiency in MS 365 and MS Project.

Preferred

• Food or consumer packaged goods (CPG) experience.
• Experience with AutoCAD and SAP.
• Experience with automation, industrial control systems, and IIoT technologies.
• Formal project management training or certification.

Winland Values & Culture

• We Put People First
• We Deliver Excellence
• We Act with Integrity
• We Win Together – One Winland

Why Join Winland Foods

• High‑impact leadership role with direct influence on enterprise transformation.
• Opportunity to shape engineering strategy and build a best‑in‑class technical organization.
• A culture committed to career development, collaboration, and innovation.
• Competitive compensation, benefits, and growth opportunities.

EEO Statement

Winland Foods seeks to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. As a global company we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and equal employment opportunities for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

About Us

Winland Foods is passionate about creating exceptional food experiences that bring people together. We specialize in meal preparation products—from pasta and sauces to plant‑based proteins—and offer beloved consumer brands and custom private‑label solutions.

Why Work With Us?

• Commitment to Quality – consistently exceeding industry standards.
• Sustainability & Responsibility – prioritizing environmental stewardship.
• People First – safety, well‑being, and growth at the core of everything we do.

Our Culture

We’re a team of food enthusiasts who value collaboration, innovation, and integrity. Your ideas matter, your contributions are recognized, and your career can thrive.