Director, FEED & Early-Phase Planning - GMP Facilities

About Us:

BW Design Group is a fully integrated architecture, engineering, construction, system integration, and consulting firm committed to helping our clients realize their most critical goals from Strategy to Commercialization. As the only firm born from a manufacturing technology company to become an independent and fully integrated firm, we combine deep domain expertise in the manufacturing environment with an approach that is built to serve the dynamic needs of our clients. Rooted in our distinct culture of Truly Human Leadership, we cultivate the leaders who will define tomorrow and partner with our clients in the food & beverage, life sciences, industrial, and advanced technology industries to build the future of manufacturing and technology.

 

Barry-Wehmiller is a diversified global supplier of engineering consulting and manufacturing technology for the packaging, corrugating, sheeting and paper-converting industries. By blending people-centric leadership with disciplined operational strategies and purpose-driven growth, Barry-Wehmiller has become a $3 billion organization with nearly 12,000 team members united by a common belief: to use the power of business to build a better world.

 

Job Description:

Who You’ll Work With

You will join one of our 45 offices in the US, be part of a committed team of over 1500 professionals, and work in teams and directly with our clients doing work that is shaping the world around us. You will be welcomed into a rapidly growing business and team and empowered to make an impact. You will be valued, cared for, and challenged on your path to becoming a world-class professional consultant and surrounded by leaders who are committed to creating an environment that enables you to realize your own success and fulfillment.

When you join Design Group as a Director, you are joining a team that will challenge you and position you for growth. In this role, you will work with a team of industry experts to help the world’s leading companies solve their most difficult problems. You will join our Architecture + Engineering + Construction (AEC) Business and partner with seasoned leaders, technical specialists, and subject matter experts to deliver the highest quality solutions to our clients with consistency and accuracy.

We are seeking a forward-thinking Director, FEED & Early-Phase Planning - GMP Facilities to lead client development initiatives that integrate supply chain optimization with facility planning and capital project execution. This leader will serve as a trusted advisor to industrial manufacturing and distribution clients, delivering innovative solutions that align facility design with operational performance goals.

What You’ll Do

• Drive business development across GMP-regulated manufacturing, life sciences, and food & beverage clients — cultivating executive-level relationships, identifying capital program opportunities, and positioning the firm as a trusted concept-through-FEED consulting partner.

• Lead complex client engagements across the supply chain, warehousing, and industrial manufacturing sectors, from early concept through design and delivery.

• Lead FEED and Early-Phase Planning deliverables — feasibility studies, basis of design, Class 3/4 estimates, schedule baselines, and risk registers — to support clients' capital authorization (FID / AFE) decisions.

• Direct multidisciplinary teams in the planning, development, and execution of facility design and capital projects that support sourcing, production, storage, and distribution strategies.

• Provide expert analysis and leadership in developing facility and network optimization strategies, incorporating automation, throughput modeling, layout planning, and operational workflows.

• Collaborate with clients to align facility design with their long-term business and supply chain objectives, ensuring measurable value creation across cost, service, and efficiency.

• Oversee proposal development, project planning, budgeting, and strategic communication with internal teams and client executives.

• Apply sound business judgment and cross-functional insight to guide integrated solutions that combine engineering design, operational planning, and capital investment strategy.

• Mentor internal staff and contribute to the development of best practices in supply chain facility design within the firm.

What You’ll Bring

• 15+ years of AEC consulting experience leading concept design, FEED, and early-phase capital planning for cGMP manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution facilities — including programmatic design, permitting, regulatory compliance, and basis-of-design development.

• Proven leadership in growing client relationships and expanding business across local, regional, and national markets within a multi-discipline A/E environment.

• Demonstrated experience leading FEED engagements within stage-gate / FEL frameworks (FEL-1/2/3), including AACE Class 3/4 estimating, scope definition, and capital authorization support

• Expertise in designing complex manufacturing and distribution facilities with a strong understanding of operational flows, regulatory compliance (cGMP, FDA, etc.), and environmental classifications.

• Hands-on experience with greenfield and brownfield project development, including scoping and executing work in active operating facilities.

• Strong background in supply chain and distribution center (DC) operations, including layout design, process optimization, material handling system (MHS) integration, and value stream mapping.

• Knowledge of applicable local, state, and federal building codes and permitting processes.

• Excellent communication, client engagement, and cross-functional leadership skills, with a commitment to mentoring teams and delivering high-quality results.

• Willingness to travel for client meetings, site assessments, presentations, and project reviews as needed.

• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, or Construction Management.

Our culture and commitment to our people is what sets us apart. We foster an environment of mutual respect, integrity, and unconditional interest in the individual and collective success of our professionals. Our model and entrepreneurial mindset offer a rewarding, challenging, and highly flexible path. As a Director, you will build a meaningful and fulfilling career with the support of professional development resources and mentorships including our First Year Experience program, Individual Development Plans, and Career Path resources and tools. You will be surrounded by exceptional talent who will support your development as both a world-class engineer and a highly effective leader.

Feel like you're on the path to becoming a Director but you're not quite there yet? We'd love to connect with you to see if we can take you from where you are today and grow you into a Design Group Engineering Consultant.

#LI-BH1

 

At Barry-Wehmiller we recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job.  If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please still consider applying.  We know that our differences often can bring about innovation, excellence and meaningful work—therefore, people from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply to our positions.  Please let us know if you require reasonable accommodations during the interview process. ​

Barry-Wehmiller is an equal opportunity employer. M/F/D/V This organization uses E-Verify.

 

Applicants may be subject to pre-employment screening which may include drug screening, reference checks, employment verifications, background screening and/or skills assessments.

 

Company:

Design Group