Director of Engineering & Maintenance
Overview
The Director of Maintenance, Engineering & Automation is responsible for leading and overseeing all aspects of maintenance, engineering, and automation across multiple food processing facilities. This role ensures that operations-including processing, drying, blending, and packaging-run efficiently, reliably, and in compliance with safety and regulatory standards. The Director will manage cross-functional teams, drive automation initiatives, oversee capital projects, and implement continuous improvement strategies to enhance uptime, efficiency, and product quality.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Department Management
- Lead and manage teams including supervisors, planners, technicians, engineers, and automation specialists.
- Set departmental goals, performance metrics, and training programs to build a high-performing workforce.
- Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Ensure team members are properly trained, resourced, and aligned with operational objectives.
Maintenance & Engineering Operations
- Develop and implement preventive and predictive maintenance programs across all production areas.
- Monitor KPIs such as downtime, MTBF, asset utilization, and maintenance cost efficiency.
- Oversee troubleshooting and repair of mechanical, electrical, and automation systems.
- Manage spare parts inventory, vendor relationships, and contractor performance.
- Plan and execute facility improvements, expansions, and capital projects.
- Maintain a CMMS to track work orders, parts, and maintenance history.
Automation & Technology Integration
- Create and execute an automation roadmap to optimize production and material handling.
- Oversee PLC programming, SCADA systems, robotics, and other automation technologies.
- Collaborate with production and quality teams to implement automation that enhances throughput, consistency, and traceability.
- Integrate IoT, AI-based monitoring, and analytics for predictive maintenance and operational insights.
Compliance & Safety
- Ensure compliance with all applicable food safety, workplace safety, and regulatory standards (e.g., FDA, USDA, OSHA, GMP, HACCP).
- Partner with Quality and Sanitation teams to validate systems supporting food safety and traceability.
- Lead departmental safety programs and review safety performance regularly.
- Ensure adherence to all local, state, and federal regulations.
Capital Projects & Budget Management
- Manage capital and operational budgets for maintenance, engineering, and automation.
- Oversee planning and execution of major equipment installations and facility upgrades.
- Track and report ROI on capital investments.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with Production, Quality, Sanitation, IT, and Supply Chain teams to align initiatives with business goals.
- Support peak production cycles with strategic resource planning.
- Advise senior leadership on long-term strategies for equipment lifecycle, engineering, and automation.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Automation, or Industrial Engineering (Master's preferred).
- 10+ years of progressive experience in maintenance, engineering, and automation, with 5+ years in a leadership role within food or beverage manufacturing.
- Strong technical expertise in mechanical, electrical, and control systems (PLCs, SCADA, robotics, etc.).
- Success in developing and leading preventive/predictive maintenance programs.
- Experience with food processing equipment (e.g., extraction, drying, packaging) is a plus.
- Deep understanding of GMP, HACCP, and food safety standards.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills.
Core Competencies
- Strategic Leadership & Team Development
- Technical Mastery in Maintenance, Engineering & Automation
- Continuous Improvement & Innovation
- Business & Financial Acumen
- Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance
- Cross-Functional Collaboration