Director of Manufacturing Engineering – Seafood Processing Operations

Role Summary

The Director of Manufacturing Engineering has oversight of the teams that maintain processing equipment in Alaska shoreplants and vessels, including Baader machines, electrical systems, and conveyance systems. This role manages three primary plants—Seattle, Tacoma (approximately 30 miles from Seattle), and Alaska locations as needed—and serves as the technical and operational leader for engineering performance, equipment reliability, and manufacturing efficiency.

Capital Projects Planning & Execution

• Identifies capital project needs and prepares assessments on resource needs and capital requirements.
• Creates business cases to support projects that include ROI, gap analysis, and risk assessment.
• Works closely with the Capital Projects team to develop implementation plans.
• Participates in cross-functional teams as a technical expert to support implementation of large-scale capital projects.

Equipment Management

• Develops and oversees the maintenance and preventative maintenance programs.
• Works with production teams to ensure maintenance schedules support production needs.
• Establishes, prepares, and maintains policies and procedures related to maintenance of equipment.
• Develops, implements, and oversees key metrics that drive productivity, including but not limited to:
  • Consistent fish sizing
  • Machine yield
  • Down-time reduction
  • Effective preventative maintenance spending
  • Improved automation (headcount reduction)
• Directs and oversees installation of new equipment and enhancements as needed.

Team Management

• Sets and communicates goals and objectives for Engineering teams to align with company strategic goals.
• Develops and maintains a culture of continuous improvement through TWOW and other company initiatives.
• Works with HR to conduct needs analyses to review and right-size positions and structure in each location.
• Creates and oversees rotation plans for engineering team employees.
• Oversees transfer and utilization of personnel across locations to maximize labor efficiency.

Additional Responsibilities

• Acquires knowledge of Environmental and Safety Policies by completing required training programs and performing designated work activities in accordance with training and procedures/work instructions.
• Notifies designated personnel of any environmental or safety incidents or risks not previously documented, in accordance with Environmental Awareness and safety trainings.
• Travels to Alaska as needed (35–50%), sometimes on short notice.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years’ experience in manufacturing engineering, including preventative maintenance, automation, and conveyance systems.
• Prior work experience directly managing a team.
• Experience successfully completing ROI, gap analysis, capital planning, and risk assessment for major capital projects.

Preferred Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related field.
• Direct experience in Alaska fisheries.

Work Environment (Includes Travel / On-Call)

• Ability to travel to various locations, including remote Alaska, typically 35–50%.
• When not traveling, this position is based onsite at the Anchorage office, with the possibility of remote work on Fridays.
• While performing duties in Alaska, the employee may be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and moving mechanical parts. The employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions and may occasionally be exposed to high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; extreme cold; risk of electrical shock; and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and reach with hands and arms.
• Frequently required to climb or balance.
• Occasionally required to sit; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear.
• Must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include distance vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.

Work Authorization

• This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.