Cryopak is seeking a highly technical and results-oriented Director of Engineering & Manufacturing Excellence to lead engineering, process optimization, automation, capital projects, and continuous improvement initiatives across our manufacturing operations.
The ideal candidate is a hands-on engineering leader with extensive experience in manufacturing environments, plant startups, process engineering, industrial automation, and operational excellence. Experience within packaging, plastics, petrochemicals, cold chain, temperature-controlled packaging, or related industries is highly desirable.
This individual will play a critical role in driving innovation, improving operational efficiency, supporting product development, and developing a world-class engineering organization capable of supporting future growth.
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Lead and develop the Engineering Department, including Process Engineers, Manufacturing Engineers, Maintenance Engineers, and Project Managers.
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Establish engineering standards, best practices, and technical governance across all manufacturing facilities.
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Provide strategic direction for equipment selection, plant layout design, automation initiatives, and manufacturing technology investments.
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Act as the senior technical expert for process design, troubleshooting, and optimization.
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Drive continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, Six Sigma, and Industry 4.0 methodologies.
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Analyze manufacturing processes to improve:
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Productivity
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Capacity utilization
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Quality
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Yield
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Downtime reduction
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Waste reduction
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Develop and monitor operational KPIs.
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Conduct root cause analysis and corrective action initiatives using methodologies such as:
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FMEA
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SPC
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Fishbone Analysis
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Pareto Analysis
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PPAP
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MSA
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Lead major capital projects from concept through commissioning and startup.
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Manage equipment sourcing, installation, qualification, and validation.
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Oversee plant expansions, manufacturing line launches, and facility startup initiatives.
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Collaborate with vendors, integrators, contractors, and equipment suppliers globally.
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Ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, and within budget.
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Lead implementation of advanced manufacturing technologies.
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Support robotics, controls systems, PLCs, SCADA, MES, and Industry 4.0 initiatives.
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Drive digital transformation and data-driven manufacturing practices.
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Identify opportunities for predictive maintenance and manufacturing analytics.
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Partner closely with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, R&D, and Commercial teams.
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Support new product launches and commercialization efforts.
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Develop long-term manufacturing capacity plans.
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Champion a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
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Ensure engineering activities comply with applicable regulations and safety requirements.
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Support quality systems, ISO standards, and customer regulatory requirements.
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Participate in risk assessments and process safety reviews.
What We're Looking For
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Engineering degree (Chemical, Mechanical, Industrial, or related field)
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15+ years of manufacturing engineering experience, including leadership roles
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Hands-on expertise in process improvement, plant operations, automation, and capital projects
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Experience leading plant startups, expansions, or major transformation initiatives
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Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma knowledge
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Packaging, plastics, petrochemical, or cold chain experience is an asset
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Strong people leadership, problem-solving, and strategic planning skills
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Comfortable working both on the plant floor and at the leadership table
Ideal Candidate: A highly technical, hands-on engineering leader who can drive operational excellence, lead teams, and support growth in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
