Director of Plant Engineering; Meat Processing - Fayetteville, North Carolina

Mission Hires is partnering with a leading food manufacturer to hire a Director of Plant Engineering to lead Maintenance and Engineering in a fast‑paced plant environment.

The role owns multi‑million‑dollar Cap Ex projects, drives advanced maintenance systems (Preventive, Predictive, TPM), improves reliability and OEE, reduces downtime and waste, and ensures strict adherence to safety, food safety, and environmental standards.

Ideal candidates bring strong leadership, meat processing experience (highly preferred), hands‑on mechanical/electrical acumen, ammonia refrigeration expertise, and proven success delivering capital projects on time and on budget.

As Director of Plant Engineering you will analyze data, optimize production processes, and reduce waste—directly impacting operating costs. Collaborate across teams to drive strategic initiatives, tackle complex challenges, and ensure excellence in maintenance and capital budget management.

Lead capital projects from concept to completion—on time, on budget, and with zero compromise on safety, food safety, or environmental standards.

Become the ultimate problem solver for daily operational challenges. From troubleshooting to long‑term fixes, your proactive approach will minimize recurring issues and keep production running smoothly.

Drive continuous improvement by developing and tracking Key Performance Indicators that measure the success of the maintenance function. From equipment reliability to supplier performance and overall equipment effectiveness, your insights will be crucial for maintaining peak performance across all areas of the plant.

• Own and execute capital projects from concept through commissioning—on time, on budget, and fully compliant with safety, food safety, and environmental requirements
• Plan and manage all project phases to minimize operational disruption while upgrading plant capabilities with strategic, high‑impact improvements
• Design, implement, and optimize advanced maintenance programs, including Preventive Maintenance (PM), Predictive Maintenance (PdM), and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)
• Lead, mentor, and develop the maintenance and engineering team with clear delegation, policy enforcement, and a safety‑first mindset
• Troubleshoot complex equipment and process issues; implement durable corrective and preventive actions to prevent recurrence
• Establish, track, and improve KPIs for maintenance performance, including equipment reliability, supplier/vendor performance, OEE, downtime, and maintenance cost
• Ensure peak equipment performance and minimal downtime through best‑in‑class maintenance systems and work order processes
• Collaborate cross‑functionally (operations, quality/food safety, EHS, procurement, finance) to drive strategic initiatives and continuous improvement
• Optimize production processes through data analysis to reduce waste and operating costs
• Oversee compliance, documentation, and standards related to maintenance, engineering, and refrigeration systems (including ammonia)

• Food manufacturing experience required; meat processing/pork products and broader Meat Industry experience highly preferred
• 5+ years of leadership experience with demonstrated team development and management in a large manufacturing environment
• Advanced mechanical/electrical technical skills (e.g., PLCs, instrumentation, mechanical engineering) with the ability to lead resource planning
• Proven multi‑million-dollar Cap Ex project management experience, from concept through startup
• AutoCAD proficiency for plant/layout and engineering documentation
• Hands‑on ammonia refrigeration background
• Deep knowledge of maintenance systems: work order processes, preventive/predictive maintenance, and TPM
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite; SAP experience
• Strong critical thinking, problem‑solving, analytical, and organizational skills
• Effective written and verbal communication; able to translate technical concepts for non‑technical audiences
• Strong interpersonal and presentation skills with a collaborative approach in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment
• Willingness to work long hours and weekends as needed to support operations