Director of Engineering, Continuous Improvement, & EHS & Security

At Sugar Bowl Bakery, we believe that simple, delicious food brings joy to everyday moments. If you’re passionate about delightful treats, we want you on our team! From our rich, chocolatey Brownie Bites to buttery soft Madeleines and subtly sweet Palmiers, each perfectly portioned baked good is crafted with high-quality ingredients and a commitment to taste. Help us spread sweetness with every bite—your journey into the world of delectable baked goods starts here!

Position Overview:

As Director of Engineering, Continuous Improvement, Environmental Health & Safety and Security at Sugar Bowl Bakery, you are responsible for overseeing the strategic planning, execution, and management of engineering, continuous improvement and EHS&S initiatives across the organization. This position bridges the gap between technical development and corporate strategy, ensuring that engineering efforts align with business goals.

Essential Functions

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute the company’s engineering, continuous improvement and EHS&S strategies to support business and organizational objectives.
• Collaborate with peer and executive leadership to identify key areas for operational improvement and prioritize projects aligned with overall business strategies and priorities.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement across engineering operations.

Team Management

• Lead direct reports in all three areas of the position (Engineering, CI, EHS & S).
• Influence and mentor Maintenance Managers and technical personnel.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and excellence.
• Recruit, develop, and retain top talent.

Project Oversight

• Oversee the planning and execution of engineering projects, ensuring timely delivery and budget adherence.
• Monitor progress against key performance indicators (KPIs) and adjust strategies as needed.
• Implement risk management practices to address EHS&S and technical and operational challenges.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Work closely with operations and sales teams to align engineering efforts with market demands.
• Serve as a liaison between technical teams and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ensure effective communication of technical capabilities and limitations.
• Maintain a positive working environment through collaboration and effective communication.

Technology and Infrastructure

• Evaluate and implement new technologies, tools, and systems to enhance efficiency and scalability.
• Maintain oversight of infrastructure, ensuring reliability, security, and compliance.
• Lead efforts in system architecture, software development, and hardware engineering as applicable.

Budget and Resource Management

• Develop and manage the department’s budget.
• Manage the CAPEX planning and execution processes.
• Optimize resource allocation to maximize project outcomes and ROI.

Compliance and Standards

• Ensure EHS&S compliance in accordance with applicable city, county, state, and federal requirements.
• Ensure all engineering activities adhere to industry standards, regulations, and company policies.
• Promote best practices in quality assurance, safety, and environmental responsibility.
• Demonstrate and adhere to all employee safety, human resources, food safety, and quality requirements, including but not limited to understanding the proper use of PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) and plant specific GMPs (Good Manufacturing Practices).

Process Optimization

• Lead efforts to streamline processes, reduce waste, and improve productivity across departments.
• Utilize methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen to implement process improvements.
• Analyze data to identify inefficiencies and root causes and recommend actionable solutions.

Performance Monitoring

• Develop systems to track and report on the progress of continuous improvement initiatives.
• Use data analytics and reporting tools to measure efficiency gains and cost savings.
• Present findings and recommendations to executive leadership.

Change Management

• Lead change management efforts to ensure successful adoption of new processes and systems.
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders to gain buy-in and mitigate resistance.
• Monitor the impact of changes and adjust strategies as necessary.

Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Position Location: This is an onsite role based in Hayward, California or Tucker, Georgia.

Minimum Qualifications

• Strong technical expertise in relevant engineering disciplines.
• Exceptional leadership and team management abilities.
• Strategic thinking with the ability to align technical goals with business objectives.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in project management methodologies and tools

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering. MBA or equivalent business experience is a plus.
• 10 years of experience in engineering roles, with at least 5 years in a leadership position.
• Proven track record of managing large-scale technical projects and cross-functional teams.

Personal Attributes:

• Operates as a leader with a high level of professionalism
• Proactive self-starter; with sense of urgency to achieve results
• Quick study, flexible and willing to handle a fast paced, ever changing work environment
• Ability to operate in a team environment with a “can do” attitude
• Builds and maintains strong culture within team
• Anticipates and plans for potential issues
• Growth mindset with a “let’s figure it out” attitude
• Strong problem-solving skills

Travel

Some travel is expected for this position between our facilities in Hayward, CA and Tucker, GA, as well as the possibility of some other outside events or trainings. 

Compensation

Compensation will depend on the candidate’s skills, experiences, and geographic location, within a likely range of $150K to $190K.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Sugar Bowl Bakery continues to remain an Equal Opportunity Employer.