VP, Technical Services, Low Acid Aseptic Beverage Manufacturing

This is an exciting engineering leadership opportunity within a leading US low acid aseptic beverage Co-Manufacturing operation. As the most senior technical and engineering leader on site, you will play a critical role in driving world-class Maintenance and Engineering excellence across a state-of-the-art manufacturing operation serving leading global food & beverage companies. Your responsibilities will include:

• Serve as the site’s most senior technical and engineering leader, providing strategic direction and operational oversight across all Maintenance and Engineering functions.
• Lead and develop a combined team of 80–90 professionals, including 60 Maintenance and 20 Engineering team members.
• Unify and align the Engineering and Maintenance organizations, fostering strong collaboration and harmonized performance across all shifts.
• Coach, mentor, and develop team members across both day and night shifts, ensuring consistent technical standards, performance expectations, and career development.
• Direct Maintenance and Reliability Engineering strategies to maximize uptime, performance, and OEE across automated bottling, aseptic processing, and packaging systems.
• Develop and execute master maintenance and reliability plans aligned with corporate TPM and Reliability Excellence programs.
• Partner cross-functionally with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality to ensure seamless startup, operation, and maintenance of complex production and packaging systems.
• Oversee major downtime events, lead root cause analysis, and ensure rapid implementation of effective corrective actions.
• Drive Continuous Improvement and Lean Manufacturing methodologies to establish best-in-class maintenance and engineering practices.
• Leverage advanced diagnostic and predictive technologies including vibration analysis, thermography, ultrasound, infrared, and oil analysis to optimize equipment reliability.
• Manage maintenance budgets, spare parts inventories, and vendor relationships to ensure cost-effective and reliable operations.

Desired Skills & Experience

• BS or MS degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Biochemical, or Chemical Engineering or a related field. MBA a plus.
• Proven experience leading large technical teams with prior experience leading teams of 50+ professionals in Engineering, Maintenance or Reliability functions.
• 10+ years of leadership experience within food & beverage, dairy, or pharmaceutical manufacturing environments. Knowledge of aseptic beverage processing equipment, utilities, and automation systems (Tetra Pak, Combi, Blending, ESL, Bottling & Pouch lines) a plus.
• Demonstrated success in building and harmonizing cross-functional Maintenance and Engineering teams.
• Experience leading and championing Reliability Centered Maintenance, Reliability Engineering or Maintenance Engineering related initiatives and programs. CMRP certification highly desirable.
• Expertise in Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement. Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, or Master Black Belt certification a plus.
• Experience working within FDA, GMP, HACCP, and OSHA compliance.

*** Please note, this is a key manufacturing leadership position based at a major manufacturing plant and R&D site. Living and working in the Buffalo/Niagara region is an absolute requirement for this position. ***

Company Description

This position is within a Buffalo Area natural products and nutritional foods spinoff company backed by a major CPG, Dairy and Nutritional Products Manufacturer. It is an incredible opportunity to get on board within an ultra-innovative, fast paced and friendly entrepreneurial environment with an exciting portfolio of new product launches.