Director, Engineering

567-Atlanta GA, 401 Glen Iris Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30308, USA

Reporting to the Sr. Director, Engineering, this role is responsible for leading the capital spending process and any project pipeline processes related to equipment maintenance or installation. The position focuses on instilling operational excellence with CMMS to achieve zero reactive downtime, ensuring effective WW operation with zero NOVs, and reducing costs through maximization of our water/energy operations for Vestis Operations. This role is regionally/group aligned.

This role will utilize appropriate processes, including Lean Six Sigma Methodology, to measurably improve operational and/or business processes across Vestis 300 facilities in North America. The incumbent must work effectively with leadership and the financial community to translate sustainable process improvements into budgeted financial improvements, and may lead projects impacting customers, customer service, and sales personnel.

This is an exceptional opportunity to work for a dynamic, highly successful executive leadership team to drive strategy, deliver results, and develop a team‑based, data‑driven problem‑solving culture. Extensive travel (up to 75%) is required.

Responsibilities/Essential Functions

• Works with key leadership to align on priorities, business needs, and project opportunities, driving and managing the project pipeline process across Vestis.
• Executes the appropriate number of projects per year that will have a significant impact on our business (e.g., achieving >$1MM in hard savings annually).
• Leads 2‑4 project improvement teams (capital and/or CI) concurrently at multiple locations.
• Responsible for all capital project implementation across the region, overseeing region and plant‑level project leaders to ensure success.
• Drives the Maintenance Excellence process across Vestis, including the launch and implementation of CMMS processes/systems to improve PM compliance.
• Collaborates with Sourcing to optimize MRO spend and inventory, ensuring target OEE/TEEP across all machines and equipment in Vestis facilities.
• Maintains plant and equipment drawings, processes, vendors, etc., in the Vestis Plant Operations, Engineering and Field Supply Chain Share‑point Site.
• Works effectively with operations/business to translate process improvement findings into production specifications and standard work.
• Maintains project documentation and savings within the Project Library.
• Ensures standards of project execution for Capital, DMAIC, and Continuous Improvement projects are met.
• Consistently identifies project opportunities to improve the business using the project pipeline process.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Intimate knowledge of operations support systems such as Boilers, Compressors, Generators, Water Softening/Treatment Systems, HVAC, Electrical/Controls, Automation, Material Handling Equipment/Processes, etc.
• Knowledge of OSHA, FDA/Food Handling, HACCP, ISO 9000 is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to execute projects in fast‑paced, dynamic environments using a team‑based, data‑based approach.
• Demonstrated ability to coach, teach, and mentor technical and non‑technical knowledge to hourly and salaried employees to drive business results.
• Must have a team‑building and collaborative approach.
• Must have a bias for action, but it is also important how you get things done.
• Must be just as comfortable working on the shop floor leading Continuous Improvement Events with Operators as on cadence reviews delivering project successes and updates to senior leadership.
• Must be willing to learn industry‑specific equipment and processes in order to meet maintenance and performance goals.

What You Will Need to Succeed

• BS/BA Engineering Preferred &/Or 5–10 years of relevant industry/operations experience with progressive growth in leadership and business required.
• Look to become Certified Lean Six Sigma Belt process.
• Passion and drive to improve systems and processes.
• Strong financial acumen with ability to create financial models used to support project selection and determine net project value to the P&L.
• Proficient with Minitab, Microsoft Office, Visio, and/or Share‑point.
• Intermediate knowledge of Lean Six Sigma tools and methodology.
• Driven with a sense of urgency to achieve results.
• Exceptional interpersonal and presentation skills from the shop floor to executive level.
• Skilled decision maker and systematic problem solver.
• Ability to positively influence and persuade others.
• Capable of assuming authority as needed.
• Team builder.

Working Environment/Safety Requirements

• Will work in both office and shop floor environments.
• Extensive travel required – up to 75%.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.