Plant Engineer

Job Description

• Plan, organize and direct all engineering, project, and maintenance related activity for the plant. Responsible for supervising, through Supervisors and Managers, a group of employees involved in plant maintenance and engineering activities.
• Plan, coordinate and direct the design, layout, installation and maintenance of the building, building support systems and production equipment in a cost effective manner in accordance with corporate, production and regulatory, requirements.
• Plan general project and maintenance schedules and provide to supervisors and managers to ensure that the plant is operating efficiently and that around the clock maintenance services are available.
• Establish and communicate targets for measuring department efficiency; i.e., down-time, repair costs, parts costs, inventory levels, labor hours, etc. Measure progress and provide coaching to supervisors and managers to achieve targets.
• Identify vendors for use in construction projects, maintenance supplies, outside services and other needs. Negotiate costs and seek final approval from the Plant Manager.
• Research, recommend and implement, as approved, improvements to building, utilities, processes, and plant equipment to reduce costs, improve product, improve efficiencies and otherwise support established facility goals and objectives.
• Provide technical assistance to production departments; diagnose and make recommendations to eliminate production problems and to improve operating effectiveness through more efficient use and care of equipment.
• Ensure that accurate and compliant records relating to maintenance work, equipment, engineering, research, purchasing, and all regulatory agency contact are maintained.
• Monitor utilities usage; diagnose excessive consumption rates and implement procedures to minimize costs.
• Work closely with Plant Manager to develop capital appropriation budget and provide input on engineering, purchasing and installation requirements for capital projects.
• Participate on a variety of teams that work cross-functionally to improve processes within the organization and assist other company facilities as required.
• Responsible for complying with applicable regulatory, governmental, safety, environmental considerations.
• Prepare routine and ad hoc reports on project status, costs, down-time, maintenance activities and other related matters.
• Coach, motivate, discipline, train, terminate and effectively manage the performance of hourly and salaried team members.
• Perform other duties as required.

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering preferred or equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities obtained through working.
• At least (7) seven years of experience managing the work of others engaged in maintenance or engineering work (preferably in meat or other food industry).
• Possess expert level knowledge of federal, state and local regulations as applies to the construction, maintenance and operation of a manufacturing facility and its equipment.
• Ability to create, read, and analyze a variety of blueprints, schematics, and similar documentation.
• Working knowledge of federal, state and local safety and environmental regulations and related operational best practices.
• Ability to manage complex installation and modification projects involving major capital expenditures in the area of responsibility.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, with peers, management and external contacts.
• Ability to supervise and manage the work of others to achieve established goals and objectives
• Work is generally performed within a manufacturing environment subjected to temperatures of cold and warm along with wearing the proper PPE, with standard office equipment available along with plant manufacturing environment.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, bend, walk, use hands or finger, talk, hear, feel objects, tools, or controls; may be required to lift up to 50 pounds. Vision abilities include close vision to a computer screen.