Director of Manufacturing Engineering

Leadership / Team Management

• Direct leadership responsibility for:
• 3 Maintenance Supervisors
• 25–30 Mechanics, Technicians, and Line Leads
• Sets vision, structure, accountability, and performance standards for the entire maintenance and engineering organization
• Develops bench strength through coaching, training, and succession planning

Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Establish and enforce plant safety, food safety, food defense, and GMPs as absolute, non-negotiable priorities
• Lead by example as a member of the senior plant leadership team
• Ensure full compliance with regulatory, safety, and internal operating standards

Maintenance & Asset Reliability Leadership

• Provide strategic direction for preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs
• Own the asset reliability strategy, using downtime data, repair history, and production input to proactively address risk
• Develop and maintain long-term equipment improvement and standardization plans
• Ensure data integrity and advancement within maintenance tracking systems (EAM/CMMS)

Automation, Controls & PLC Expertise

• Serve as the technical authority for industrial controls, automation, and electrical systems
• Oversee and support Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) with specific emphasis on Allen-Bradley SLC platforms from Rockwell Automation
• Ensure PLC programming, troubleshooting, documentation, and system integrity are best-in-class
• Partner with internal teams and external vendors on controls upgrades and automation projects

Engineering, Capital Projects & Plant Reconfiguration

• Lead all engineering initiatives and capital projects, including budgeting and execution
• Utilize CAD software to support plant reconfiguration and layout redesign projects aimed at improving:
• Production flow
• Packaging throughput
• Overall plant productivity
• Collaborate with operations and project teams to execute facility upgrades and expansions
• Own MRO spend, maintenance budgets, and capital expense planning
• Define, track, and drive performance against key Maintenance KPIs
• Ensure effective use of maintenance systems for work orders, inventory, and scheduling

• Drive a structured technical training and skills-development program for the maintenance organization
• Ensure the team maintains accurate documentation, schematics, and maintenance records
• Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration

• 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in food manufacturing, industrial maintenance, or heavy automation environments
• Proven experience leading large, multi-level maintenance teams in a manufacturing setting
• Strong hands-on knowledge of:
• Mechanical systems
• Electrical systems
• PLC programming and troubleshooting (Allen-Bradley SLC / Rockwell Automation required)
• Industrial controls and automation systems
• Proficiency with CAD software for engineering design and plant layout reconfiguration
• Strong understanding of manufacturing workflows and production processes
• Experience with CMMS/EAM systems and maintenance analytics
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Background in Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma environments
• Experience using data analytics to drive maintenance and reliability improvements
• Prior ownership of large-scale capital projects and facility upgrades

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Automation Engineering, Facilities Management, or a related technical discipline

• Manufacturing environment with exposure to machinery, elevated temperatures, and industrial conditions
• Requires standing, walking, bending, climbing, and occasional lifting
• Use of appropriate PPE is required at all times