Director, Distribution Engineering & Automation

Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc. is an industry-leading home, security and digital products company. We’re focused on exciting opportunities within the home, security and commercial building markets. Our driving purpose is to elevate every life by transforming spaces into havens. We believe our work and our brands can have incredibly positive impacts for not just our business and shareholders, but for people and the planet, too.

At Fortune Brands, we’re building something big. We’re advancing exciting innovations in all of our products and processes. We’re delivering trust, dependability, sustainability, and style. To make it all happen, we’ve transformed our workplace into an environment where smart, ambitious people have the support to reach their fullest potential.

When you join Fortune Brands, you become part of a high-performing team empowered to think big, learn fast and make bold decisions. We support an inclusive culture where everyone is encouraged be their authentic selves, and where our differences and unique perspectives are a key strength.

Explore life at Fortune Brands here.

The Director of Distribution Engineering will provide engineering management, facilities, and automation support for multiple distribution centers (DCs). This role will develop enhancements and oversee process automation applications for current and future projects. The individual will be responsible for implementing technology to achieve user goals in a timely and cost-effective manner, managing all aspects of facility management, maintenance, MRO Crib operations, facility aesthetics, and continuous improvement projects.

Location: This position is eligible for a hybrid schedule (3x per week; Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) based out of Deerfield, IL. 

Engineering Management:

• Establish engineering expectations for future automation and new technology and manage capital projects.
• Lead the coordination of all engineering functions including process development, training, and capital projects.
• Hire, train, direct, motivate, evaluate, and reward the industrial engineering team to meet the company’s objectives.
• Participate in developing the facility’s Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) strategy, ensuring technical compliance for all equipment.
• Develop and approve the Capital Expenditure Budget and individual submissions for approval.
• Provide strategic leadership in developing processes, systems, policies, and procedures, setting the future direction of the engineering function.
• Ensure compliance with all job-related safety and other training requirements.
• Establish design and construction standards, including safety and regulatory compliance, for equipment, tools, and fixtures.

Facilities Management:

• Lead maintenance staff in equipment installation, facilities repair, equipment repair, and preventive maintenance across all business units.
• Oversee the support of the Maintenance organization by ensuring adequate training, equipment maintenance plans, spare parts lists, and troubleshooting assistance.
• Conduct engineering analysis of building systems as assigned.
• Manage the continuous improvement process.
• Lead preventive maintenance programs in conjunction with operations, engineering, and maintenance staff.

Automation Support:

• Actively participate on project teams as the automation subject matter expert regarding system capabilities and design decisions.
• Provide 24-hour network guidance and support in diagnosing and resolving automation hardware, software, instrument, and process problems to maintain system readiness.
• Lead the startup of new/existing operations ensuring code and configurations meet specifications and validation requirements.
• Ensure detailed specifications and technical documentation are provided for new automation systems or modifications.
• Provide supporting data from automation systems to support production or quality department requests.

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a technical/manufacturing discipline.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in distribution automation or site controls system integration.
• 3+ of project management experience.
• Experience in PLC automation control system start-ups, loop tuning, troubleshooting, and control system modifications.
• Development of process, site utilities control systems or equipment control applications utilizing PLC ladder and function block logic.
• Experience with Modicon PLC or NovaTech D3 is beneficial but not required.
• Development, support, and troubleshooting of Fortna and Intelligrated software.
• Ability to travel up to 50%

Fortune Brands believes in fair and equitable pay. A reasonable estimate of the base salary range for this role is Hiring Pay Range: $142,000 USD - $220,000 USD. Please note that actual salaries may vary within the range, or be above or below the range, based on factors including, but not limited to, education, training, experience, professional achievement, business need, and location. In addition to base salary, employees will participate in either an annual bonus plan based on company and individual performance, or a role-based sales incentive plan.

At Fortune Brands, we support the overall health and wellness of our associates by offering comprehensive, competitive benefits that prioritize all aspects of wellbeing and provide flexibility for our teammates’ unique needs. This includes robust health plans, a market-leading 401(k) program with a company contribution, product discounts, flexible time off benefits, adoption benefits, and more. We offer numerous ERGs (Employee Resource Groups) to foster a sense of belonging for all associates.

Fortune Brands is built on industry-leading brands and innovation within the high-growth categories of water, outdoors and security. The Company makes innovative products for residential and commercial environments, with a growing focus on digital solutions and products that add luxury, contribute to safety and enhance sustainability. To learn more, visit our website at fbin.com.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Fortune Brands is an equal opportunity employer. Fortune Brands evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability/handicap status, marital status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic history or information, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Reasonable Accommodations

Fortune Brands is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or interview process, please contact us at [email protected] and let us know the nature of your request along with your contact information.

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To protect yourself from fraudulent job postings or recruitment scams, please note that Fortune Brands job postings are exclusively hosted on our website at fbin.com/careers via our SmartRecruiters platform. Fortune Brands will never request banking information or sensitive personal details until an offer of employment has been accepted and the onboarding process begins.