Engineering Director - Plastics

As the Director of Engineering – Plastics, you will report to the EVP of Engineering and manage a team of approximately 35 engineers and technologists. Your focus will be to make our portfolio of plastic cup, lids, and other containers better, faster, and cheaper to meet our customers’ needs. This position will own the multi-year strategic plan in the plastics area including CapEx/OpEx cost plans, optimizing existing plastics manufacturing network, technology of the future, and engineering talent development. Join our team and make a significant impact on the future of manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities:

• Safety and Compliance:
  • Foster a culture of safety and compliance by implementing and maintaining robust practices and processes.
  • Utilize tools such as FMEA, PSM, and others to mitigate risks and ensure regulatory adherence.
• People Leadership:
  • Develop and mentor a high-performing team of manufacturing engineers.
  • Anticipate and plan for succession to ensure continuity of leadership.
  • Create a positive work environment that fosters motivation, engagement, and accountability.
  • Evaluate organizational structure and make adjustments to meet evolving business needs.
• Strategic and Tactical Planning:
  • Develop long-term technical plans aligned with the company's strategic goals.
  • Propose and implement innovative solutions to complex manufacturing challenges.
  • Optimize manufacturing footprint, labor utilization, operating margins, and ROI.
  • Deploy resources to address technical issues in plants.
• Collaboration and Relationships:
  • Build strong relationships with suppliers and vendors to streamline the equipment procurement process.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams (business, R&D, supply chain) to drive mutually beneficial decisions.
• Cost Management and Value Engineering:
  • Forecast, plan, and approve capital expenditures (CapEx) and operational costs (OpEx).
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance safety, quality, service, efficiency, and employee engagement.
  • Implement value-add and value engineering strategies to optimize productivity.
• Technology and Data Management:
  • Stay abreast of technology trends and market demands to identify opportunities for innovation.
  • Establish standardized practices and procedures for engineering activities and ensure team compliance.
  • Leverage data-driven insights to inform decision-making and accountability.

Core Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree (or higher) in engineering, polymer/materials science, or related field.
• At least 8 years of progressive technical and people management experience; strongly prefer experience in thermoforming and CPG industry
• Leadership and Influencing Skills:
  • Proven ability to develop, coach, and mentor talent.
  • Excellent communication skills to persuade and influence stakeholders.
  • Strong interpersonal skills to build relationships and foster collaboration.
  • Effective presentation skills, including the ability to explain technical topics to non-technical audiences.
  • Proven track record of driving results and accountability in matrix organizations.
• Critical and Strategic Thinking:
  • Ability to generate innovative ideas and solutions.
  • Strategic mindset to understand the big picture and how different components of the customer requirements and plant capability interact.
  • Willingness to make decisions with limited information.
• Technical Capability and Business Acumen:
  • Demonstrated ability to deliver results with a sense of urgency.
  • Proven problem-solving skills.
  • Advanced knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and manufacturing techniques.
  • Experience with the design, engineering, and installation of production lines for plastics (PP, PET, PS, PLA, etc.).
  • Strong business acumen, including planning, resource allocation, cost analysis, and people management.
  • Ability to analyze data and make informed decisions.
• Experience working in a plant, lab, and/or office environment.
• Abillity to travel up to 40% of the time domestically and internationally.
• Valid driver's license and US passport.

Overview: Dart makes everyday products that give people the freedom to enjoy the food & drinks they love, wherever they are. From to-go containers and dinnerware to tamper-evident food packaging and even the red Solo cup, Dart products have been keeping people on the go and having fun for more than 50 years. Dart is a family-owned, family-focused company of 13,000 employees united by a shared set of values. Headquartered in Mason, MI, Dart has 30 locations in four countries.

Benefits: Dart Container full-time employees enjoy great benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) with company matching contributions, paid vacation, paid holidays, short-term disability, tuition assistance, product discounts and more.

Dart Container is a drug-free workplace.  Candidates are subject to a drug test (excluding THC*/marijuana/cannabis) and background check at the time of offer.

*THC testing ONLY when such testing is required by law.

Dart Container is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all candidates for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

https://www.dartcontainer.com/eeoaa/

If you have a disability and need an accommodation to access this website or for the application process, you should call Dart at (800) 545-3278 Ext 3370 or email us at ADArequests@dart.biz. Relay calls can be made by dialing 711 or the relay number for your state.

If you experience difficulty applying online, you may call (800) 545-3278 Ext 3390 or email us at applicationassistance@dart.biz for assistance.