Director Engineering Technical Support

In this onsite leadership role at Lamb Weston in Kennewick, WA, you will oversee Engineering Technical Support and set the direction for technical assistance strategies that strengthen asset reliability, uptime, and overall plant performance. Working with Engineering SMEs across critical systems, you will guide long-term planning, lead technical support process improvements, and help drive IT-OT Convergence alongside global engineering initiatives.

Salary: USD 164,470 - 246,710 per yearly

Role Summary

The Director, Engineering Technical Support, manages Engineering Technical SMEs and provides leadership for technical support strategies aimed at improving equipment uptime and reducing operational risk. This position sets long-range strategic direction for technical areas, leads capital planning related to technical obsolescence, and acts as a key liaison between Technical Support, IT, and Global Engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Direct management of the Technical Support department teams.
• Maintain appropriate technical talent levels within the department, including preparation and upkeep of a talent succession plan to support business continuity as the workforce ages out.
• Direct Engineering Technical SMEs to develop reliability strategies, standards, and technical support processes that improve equipment uptime and ensure reliable plant operations across Electrical, Automation & Controls, Packaging, Utilities, and other critical manufacturing systems.
• Create and maintain long-term strategic direction for technical areas of responsibility.
• Prepare the department budget and manage forecasting and spending within budgeted guidelines.
• Lead and contribute to annual capital planning activities, including phased approaches to address plant technical obsolescence and related project challenges.
• Serve as a primary liaison between the Technical Support group, I/T organization, and the rest of the Global Engineering team, with a key role in the IT-OT Convergence initiative.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s level degree in Engineering, Management, or a related discipline is required.
• Minimum of 15 years of experience with project, engineering, or operations management is required.
• Ability to read and interpret safety rules, technical documentation, P&IDs, drawings, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to communicate and present effectively at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or visual form.
• Proficiency with Windows-based systems including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Competent understanding of Instrumentation, PLC’s, SCADA systems, and advanced control software such as statistical process control, simulation, and modeling.
• Passport and valid driver’s license, with ability to meet Lamb Weston’s driving record standards.
• Ability to travel to various plant and vendor locations as required.
• Ability for extended travel and time away from home to complete projects at various plant locations (20-25% of the time).

Technologies

• Windows
• Excel
• Word
• PowerPoint
• Instrumentation
• PLC’s
• SCADA systems
• Statistical process control
• Simulation and modeling

Benefits

• Health Insurance Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision
• Flexible Spending Accounts for Health and Dependent Care, and Health Reimbursement Accounts
• Well-being programs including companywide events and a wellness incentive program
• Paid Time Off
• Financial Wellness: Industry leading 401(k) plan with generous company contributions, Financial Planning Services, Employee Stock purchase program, and Health Savings Accounts, Life and Accident insurance
• Family-Friendly Employee events
• Employee Assistance Program services including mental health and other concierge type services

Essential Skills

• Visionary Leadership: Displays vision and inspires respect and trust to motivate others to fulfill the company’s vision.
• Oral Communication: Speaks clearly and persuasively.
• Written Communication: Writes clearly and informatively, with the ability to adjust writing style for the audience.
• Presentation: Ability to present effectively to all levels of the organization.
• Judgment: Demonstrates willingness to make decisions and exhibits sound, accurate judgment.
• Strategic Planning: Keeps abreast of technologies, timing, and adoption strategies, including maintaining a running 5-year strategic plan for Technical Engineering disciplines.
• Planning/Organizing: Prioritizes and plans work activities efficiently, sets goals and objectives, organizes competing priorities, and develops realistic action plans.