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.

• 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. ***

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.