Director Engineering Technical Support

In this onsite leadership role at Lamb Weston in Kennewick, WA, you will lead Engineering Technical Support strategy across critical manufacturing systems. As Director, you will manage Technical Support SMEs, set long-term technical direction, and partner across IT-OT Convergence and Global Engineering initiatives to improve asset reliability, uptime, and plant performance.

Role Summary

The Director - Engineering Technical Support manages Engineering Technical SMEs and provides leadership for technical support strategies that improve asset reliability, uptime, and plant performance. You will direct long-term strategic direction, lead capital planning for technical obsolescence, and act as a key liaison for IT-OT convergence and global engineering initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct management of the Technical Support department teams.
• Maintain the necessary levels of technical talent within the department, including preparing and maintaining a talent succession plan for business continuity as workforce changes occur.
• Direct Technical Support SMEs to develop reliability strategies, standards, and technical support processes that improve equipment uptime, reduce operational risk, and support reliable plant operations across Electrical, Automation & Controls, Packaging, Utilities, and other critical manufacturing systems.
• Create and maintain long-term strategic direction for technical areas of responsibility.
• Prepare a department budget and manage forecasting and spending within budgeted guidelines.
• Play a key role in annual capital planning activities to develop phased approaches to address plant technical obsolescence and related project challenges.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the Technical Support group, the IT organization, and the rest of the Global Engineering team, with IT-OT Convergence as an initiative supported by this role.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s level degree in Engineering, Management, or a related discipline is required.
• Minimum of 15 years of experience with project, engineering, or operations management is required.
• Ability to read and interpret safety rules, technical documentation, P&IDs, drawings, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to communicate and present effectively at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or visual form.
• Proficiency with Windows-based systems, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Competent understanding of Instrumentation, PLC’s, SCADA systems, and advanced control software including statistical process control, simulation, and modeling.
• Passport, valid driver’s license, and the ability to meet Lamb Weston’s driving record standards.
• Ability to travel to various plant and vendor locations as required, including extended travel and time away from home to complete projects (20–25% of the time).

Technologies

• Windows
• Excel
• Word
• PowerPoint
• Instrumentation
• PLC’s
• SCADA systems
• Statistical process control
• Simulation and modeling

Benefits

• Health Insurance Benefits - Medical, Dental, Vision
• Flexible Spending Accounts for Health and Dependent Care, and Health Reimbursement Accounts
• Well-being programs including companywide events and a wellness incentive program
• Paid Time Off
• Financial Wellness – Industry leading 401(k) plan with generous company contributions, Financial Planning Services, Employee Stock purchase program, and Health Savings Accounts, Life and Accident insurance
• Family-Friendly Employee events
• Employee Assistance Program services – mental health and other concierge type services

Essential Skills

• Visionary Leadership - Displays vision and inspiration to engender respect and trust and motivate others to fulfill the company’s vision.
• Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively.
• Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively with the ability to vary writing style to match the audience.
• Presentation – Ability to present effectively to all levels of the organization.
• Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions and exhibits sound and accurate judgment.
• Strategic Planning - Keep abreast of technologies, timing, and adoption strategies, including maintaining a running 5-year strategic plan for Technical Engineering disciplines.
• Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities and uses time efficiently, sets goals and objectives, organizes competing priorities, and develops realistic action plans.

Compensation: USD 164,470 - 246,710 per year. Location: Kennewick, WA (onsite).