Director, Engineering Waltham, MA - Supply Chain - Corporate

Welch’s is looking for a Director, Corporate Engineering to lead the strategic direction, planning, and execution of our Corporate Engineering function. This role is responsible for developing and delivering engineering strategies that support Welch’s short- and long-term business objectives, including capital planning, project execution, asset care, operational excellence, innovation, cost savings, capacity expansion, safety, and regulatory compliance.

The Director, Corporate Engineering will partner closely with plant teams, Supply Chain, Operations, R&D, Marketing, Finance, IT, and senior leadership to ensure major capital projects are delivered on time, on budget, and in alignment with Welch’s Strategic Growth Plan.

As Director, Corporate Engineering, you will:

• Lead the Corporate Engineering function, setting strategic and operating objectives that support Welch’s business priorities.
• Collaborate with corporate and plant teams to leverage continuous improvement thinking in support of Supply Chain Excellence.
• Ensure large‑scale capital projects are successfully implemented on time and on budget, including innovation, platform, cost savings, capacity, and other highly visible initiatives.
• Manage engineering resources to ensure Welch’s facilities are equipped to effectively receive, store, process, and package finished products.
• Lead the multi‑year capital planning process to maximize the effective use of company capital assets.
• Prepare the annual corporate capital budget, coordinate capital prioritization, and manage capital cash flow to meet timelines and budget objectives.
• Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements related to environmental standards, food safety, people safety, and applicable agencies, including OSHA, EPA, USDA, and FDA.
• Lead teams in understanding the Strategic Growth Plan and how capital projects support Welch’s broader business goals.
• Oversee facility and equipment design, technology implementation, and efficient manufacturing practices.
• Hire, lead, coach, and develop engineering talent through performance management and career development.
• Partner with plant leadership to implement asset care management practices using technology, continuous improvement tools, and standard work procedures.
• Define, build, and lead best‑practice project leadership methodology across the Engineering organization.
• Ensure full compliance with CQV and commercialization procedures during key project execution.
• Define project objectives, milestones, deliverables, and work methods during project execution phases.
• Prepare materials and lead Capital and Budgeting reviews, including Monthly Capital Meetings with the Welch’s Leadership Team.
• Participate in stakeholder governance meetings, including Stage‑Gate, Board of Directors, Productivity, Value Engineering, CQV, and other business reviews.
• Support the VP of Operations as an extended staff member.
• Lead select projects as a working engineer while balancing broader leadership responsibilities.
• Monitor, report, and deliver budgeted cash flow.
• Support additional responsibilities, assignments, and special projects as needed.

You are a strategic, hands‑on engineering leader who can balance long‑term vision with disciplined execution. You bring strong technical expertise, business acumen, and the ability to lead through influence across multiple teams and locations.

You are someone who:

• Demonstrates strong functional and technical engineering excellence.
• Brings strategic thinking, sound judgment, and strong business acumen.
• Drives results and holds teams accountable.
• Embraces ambiguity and can lead through complexity and change.
• Communicates clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Works collaboratively across functions to support strategic planning and business priorities.
• Has strong leadership capabilities and experience directing technical talent.
• Builds trusted partnerships across Marketing, R&D, Finance, IT, Operations, and plant teams.
• Has a track record of leading, developing, and building high‑performing teams.
• Recognizes when education, coaching, or training is needed to strengthen performance.
• Is flexible, dynamic,…