Maintenance & Engineering Superintendent; Biospringer

Maintenance & Engineering Superintendent

Lesaffre is a key global player in the fermentation of microorganisms (yeasts and bacteria) for baking, taste, healthcare and industrial biotechnology. This story began more than 170 years ago in northern France, and, thanks to our pioneer spirit and our innovative approach, we are constantly developing.

Lesaffre's global presence includes 11,000 employees from 96 nationalities and a 3-billion euro turnover. We work with customers, partners and researchers to develop essential nutrients and bio actives that strengthen human health, optimize animal well-being and improve plant nutrition.

This role is within our Biospringer team. Biospringer offers our customers a range of yeast extracts and fermentation-based products designed to improve the taste and organoleptic properties of food. Our natural ingredients make food tastier and healthier.

Our Core Values:
Passion, respect, trust, entrepreneurship, and humility

The Maintenance & Engineering Superintendent provides engineering & maintenance support to the BSNAC Cedar Rapids plant. This includes managing the plant's capital projects, facility repair projects and providing direction to production and maintenance in resolving equipment, utility and facility related issues. The position requires a strong partnership with BSNAC production, Red Star Yeast Company Maintenance and outside contractors. Frequent contact with all levels of employees and management is expected.

The ideal candidate will lead all maintenance operations to ensure reliable equipment and facility performance, applying strong technical knowledge and proactive problem-solving to diagnose issues, coordinate repairs, and effectively manage contractors and vendors. The ideal candidate is resilient under pressure, a clear and collaborative communicator, flexible with shifting priorities, and committed to safety and continuous improvement.

This position provides direction and oversight to any person or persons performing equipment maintenance, repair, or replacement activities in the plant, which includes employees within a shared service and external contractors, but has no direct supervisory responsibilities of permanent employees.

What you'll do as a Maintenance & Engineering Superintendent:

• Demonstrates an unwavering commitment to Lesaffre's safety-first culture by strictly following all safety protocols and participating in required safety programs
• In partnership with the Plant Director, develop, manage (in budget and time) and implement capital improvement projects to ensure a safe, efficient, and reliable operation.
• Ensure preventive maintenance is performed consistently on all equipment including, but not limited to, centrifuge machines, evaporators, spray dryers, packing lines, pumps, heat exchangers, air blowers, air compressors, screw/piston type refrigeration units, cooling towers, etc. Electrical/electronics: fully automated facility (PLC's, automatic valves, magnetic flowmeters, mass-flow systems, air flow systems, energy monitoring, etc).
• Coordinate timely response and resolution to any equipment failures.
• Develop and track equipment and maintenance reliability KPIs.
• Track and drive improvements to maintenance work order backlog.
• Identify projects and initiatives to improve equipment uptime (MTBF).
• Assist in troubleshooting equipment related issues and direct maintenance technicians appropriately.
• Coordinate and schedule either directly or through subordinates all preventive maintenance activities with RSYC maintenance personnel and BSNAC production.
• Function as Subject Matter Expert for overall equipment design, functionality, preventive maintenance requirements and spare parts.
• Assist in maintaining current maintenance documentation, equipment manuals, drawings, electronic records, etc.
• Analyze maintenance technician reports to avoid the repetition of any equipment or system failures.
• Maintain effective communication with Production Manager and Superintendents, Plant Manager and RSYC Maintenance Manager regarding maintenance needs and issues.
• Participate in planning meetings, weekly maintenance staff meetings, and management meetings.
• Ensure adequate supply of critical spare parts.
• Oversee plant maintenance budget and track maintenance related expenses.
• Manage complex LOTO & MOC efforts to ensure zero injuries.
• Ensure P&IDs are reviewed and updated as needed.
• Ensure all engineering and maintenance activities are carried out in accordance with established safety protocols and cGMPs.
• Lead route cause analyses related to maintenance issues.
• Work closely with process to improve processes and to support process related investments.
• Manage subcontractor interventions on side.
• Monitor emerging developments in processing machinery to ensure the equipment fleet remains current and use AI technologies to further improve uptime.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required qualifications:

• Degree in Engineering or Industrial Technology and 5 years' experience in maintenance and engineering…