Engineering Manager

Key Responsibilities:

Engineering & Maintenance Leadership:

• Supervise daily maintenance and engineering operations, ensuring optimal performance and reliability of dairy processing, packaging, and utility systems.
• Develop and implement preventive and predictive maintenance programs to minimize downtime and prolong the lifespan of equipment.
• Lead and mentor a team of maintenance technicians, engineers, and support staff, fostering their professional growth and providing ongoing training.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as equipment uptime, maintenance costs, downtime, OEE, and efficiency.

Capital Projects & Continuous Improvement:

• Manage capital expenditure (CapEx) projects, including facility expansions, equipment upgrades, and automation initiatives.
• Lead continuous improvement efforts using Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) principles.
• Assess and implement new technologies and automation solutions to improve operational efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance product quality.

Safety, Compliance, & Food Manufacturing Standards:

• Ensure compliance with FDA, USDA, PMO (Pasteurized Milk Ordinance), SQF, HACCP, GMPs, and OSHA regulations.
• Ensure adherence to City, State, and Federal Environmental Compliance Reporting requirements.
• Foster a culture of safety, ensuring all maintenance and engineering teams follow proper procedures and personal protective equipment (PPE) protocols.
• Conduct risk assessments and reliability studies to improve plant safety and operational effectiveness.

Budgeting & Cost Control:

• Develop and manage the engineering and maintenance budget, optimizing costs while ensuring operational excellence.
• Negotiate contracts with vendors, suppliers, and service providers to secure cost-effective procurement of equipment and materials.
• Identify and implement cost-saving initiatives, including energy efficiency projects and waste reduction strategies.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Partner with production, quality, and supply chain teams to support operational goals and resolve technical challenges.
• Collaborate with corporate engineering and leadership on long-term facility improvement projects.
• Act as the technical expert for plant engineering matters, providing troubleshooting expertise for complex equipment and process issues.

Qualifications & Requirements:

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or related field).
• 10+ years of experience in plant engineering, maintenance, or reliability within a dairy manufacturing environment.
• Experience managing capital projects, preventative maintenance programs, and process automation.
• In-depth knowledge of dairy-specific processing systems, refrigeration, CIP systems, packaging equipment, and utility systems (boilers, HVAC, compressed air, etc.).