Director of Engineering, Maintenance & Reliability

The La Rocca tradition of dessert making began 60 years ago in Naples, Italy. Our family’s passion for the art of baking inspired the many original and unique recipes we have today. In 1986, La Rocca Creative Cakes was established in Canada. Over the last forty years, we’ve grown to become one of the most respected artisanal dessert manufacturers in North America.

Today, as part of the Sammontana Italia family, La Rocca brings together European craftsmanship and modern scale to deliver premium cakes to thousands of grocery, foodservice, and fine food partners. We are entering an exciting phase of growth and modernization under La Rocca.

Role Description

Under the direction of the VP of Strategic Initiative & Product Development this individual will own the engineering, maintenance and reliability functions within the Richmond Hill facility. In coordination with the Plant Manager, this individual will develop best‑in‑class preventative maintenance plans, advise on Capex spend and develop processes and systems to take this facility into the next phase of growth. This role requires strong project management skills and a continuous improvement mindset.

Reports to: VP, Strategy and Innovation.

Compensation

Target salary range of $150,000–$160,000 per year. For an exceptional candidate, compensation is not a constraint and may be adjusted based on qualifications, experience, and overall fit for the role.

Contract Duration

This position is being offered as a 12‑month fixed‑term contract, with the possibility of extension based on project requirements, business needs, and performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of Engineering and Continuous Improvement strategies during the contract period, ensuring alignment with La Rocca’s overall business objectives.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement across the organization.
• Provide visionary leadership to create a positive and productive work environment.
• Provide engineering ownership for the Richmond Hill facility.
• Work closely with external partners to develop best‑in‑class solutions.
• Build the long‑term CAPEX Engineering plan to cover the next 5 years.
• Identify and champion cost reduction projects through equipment improvements, process improvements, robotics or capital automation.
• Oversee the development and execution of a preventative maintenance plan.
• Lead the maintenance team on a daily basis to ensure all equipment is working up to specifications.
• Build downtime reporting, OEE, change‑over time and repair time for optimization opportunities.
• Work closely with other departments (e.g., Operations, Finance, Supply Chain) to support key initiatives and address technical challenges.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for technical expertise and support related to Engineering and Continuous Improvement during the contract.
• Own the management of all related Engineering, maintenance and continuous improvement projects.
• Ensure the team utilizes best practices in project and process management to deliver results within target metrics.

Knowledge & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering required or equivalent technical degree.
• 8+ years of engineering leadership within the food manufacturing space.
• Strong understanding of food safety standards.
• Proven track record of successful project and process management – Lean Six Sigma methodologies experience/qualifications are an asset.
• Expertise in manufacturing processes and adaptability to production environments.
• Ability to balance creativity with logistical and technical considerations.
• Familiarity with production equipment, control systems, packaging, electrical, mechanical, refrigeration systems and efficient production processes.
• Passion for food and great desserts is a plus!
• Exceptional leadership and strategic thinking abilities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, capable of interacting effectively at all levels of the organization and with external stakeholders.
• Disciplined and goal‑oriented, with a focus on achieving long‑term objectives.
• Excellent documentation and record‑keeping skills.
• Ability to mentor and develop team members, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
• Flexibility in work hours to meet departmental requirements and support a three‑shift operation.