Chief Bakery Engineer

Franz Family Bakery, established in 1906 in the Pacific Northwest, is a renowned bakery company with over a century of experience in crafting premium baked goods. As one of the country's most successful bakeries, Franz Family Bakery produces a wide variety of baked products marketed under multiple premium labels. Their commitment to quality ingredients and superior baking processes has earned them a strong reputation and a broad distribution network that spans Alaska, Idaho, California, Utah, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. With a workforce of over 4,000 employees, the bakery fosters a dynamic and collaborative working environment, dedicated to delivering exceptional products to its customers.

At Franz Family Bakery, employees enjoy competitive wages, generous holiday and vacation benefits, comprehensive healthcare including full medical, dental, and vision coverage with 100 percent premiums paid for employees, their spouses, and children. Additionally, the company offers a robust retirement plan with up to 15 percent contributions, including 12 percent toward a profit-sharing plan and 3 percent toward a 401(k) plan. This supportive benefits package reflects the company’s commitment to the well-being and long-term success of its team members.

The company is currently seeking a Chief Engineer to join their hardworking and fast-paced team. The role of Chief Engineer is vital to maintaining the efficiency, safety, and continuous improvement of the engineering and maintenance operations within Franz Bakery. This leadership position is responsible for overall budgeting, managing the engineering team, ensuring safety throughout the facility, and overseeing business processes related to manufacturing equipment maintenance. The Chief Engineer will interact extensively with internal departments, third-party vendors, and customers, providing crucial engineering and maintenance support services.

The Chief Engineer will inspire and develop the engineering team while fostering a culture of continuous improvement, safety, and collaboration. Key responsibilities include planning and leading maintenance activities, offering technical support, conducting equipment inspections, and managing business processes to meet organizational objectives. This role demands strong communication and leadership skills as it involves close collaboration with production, maintenance, and management teams to promote operational effectiveness and safety compliance.

Successful candidates will demonstrate strong ownership and leadership capabilities, decisiveness under pressure, and a proactive approach to identifying and resolving issues. The position requires excellent conflict management, project execution, and communication skills. The Chief Engineer will also be responsible for managing capital projects involving vendors, contractors, installation, and commissioning.

Franz Family Bakery encourages candidates with a background in managing maintenance teams within large manufacturing environments. Preferred candidates possess a high school diploma or GED, although a BS/BA degree is ideal, along with a minimum of five years’ experience in similar roles. Additional expertise in areas such as electrical and mechanical troubleshooting, continuous improvement initiatives, and proficiency with Microsoft Office, CMMS, and CAD tools are valuable assets.

This role may occasionally require evening and weekend hours to meet deadlines or operational needs. Franz Family Bakery is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity and inclusion, providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of gender, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Join Franz Family Bakery to take the next step in your engineering career within a stable, supportive, and innovative company committed to quality and excellence.