Plant Engineering Director (remote) - PA/OH

Plant Engineering Director (Remote)

Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), Dairy Brands, a dairy marketing cooperative owned by more than 12,500 family farmers, is looking for a Plant Engineering Director (Remote) position. As the position is remote, the Plant Engineering Director will travel 60-70% and support our Mideast Region. The preferred candidate should reside in Pennsylvania and/or Ohio.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serve as an internal expert on manufacturing engineering and design related issues or opportunities
• Work cross-functionally with plant management and engineers to develop priorities that ensure direct alignment with manufacturing and division objectives
• Continually strive to reduce facility and manufacturing operating costs by providing best option technical solutions and/or utilizing best method analyses towards improving internal systems; ensure facility operating systems achieve optimum manufacturing process efficiencies
• Utilize best practices across locations to drive continuous improvement for equipment reliability and maintenance department cost controls; drive consistency and standardization
• Assist in the direction and planning of capital budgets
• Evaluate major capital projects to ensure the best approach and method is used to efficiently spend capital funds
• Actively support plant management and engineers in the justification of projects, accurate development of project costs, and submission of capital projects
• Lead and/or oversee the planning, design, procurement, installation, start-up, and training for all capital projects, especially for projects that span an entire division, group, or region
• Complete preliminary and final design of production lines and new equipment
• Develop preliminary cost estimates for production of new or modified products for marketing and sales teams
• Professionally develop plant engineers and maintenance managers
• Encourage positive cross-functional communication between production and engineering teams
• Maintain current and broad knowledge to ensure accurate engineering support to management and plant staff
• Ensure all plant environmental policies and procedures reflect current DFA guidelines and regulatory requirements and proper reporting is completed
• Follow all DFA good manufacturing practices (GMP) and work in a manner consistent with all corporate regulatory, food safety, quality, and sanitation requirements

Benefits:

• Health and welfare benefits begin 1st of the month after start date
• 401(k) with company contribution - 100% vested at day one of eligibility
• Competitive pay ($165,000 - $195,000)
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Career growth opportunities - we promote from within!
• Comprehensive healthcare benefits
• Service recognition and employee rewards
• Employee referral program
• Tuition reimbursement

Requirements:

• Undergraduate degree in engineering or related curriculum or technical training in related mechanical or electrical studies (or equivalent combination of education and experience)
• 10 or more years of progressive engineering, maintenance, or related experience in a food manufacturing environment that includes team or project leadership experience, environmental compliance experience, PLC programming, and capital project and budget management experience
• Certification and/or License - may be required during course of employment

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of architectural, mechanical, electrical, and process production engineering
• Ability to lead multiple and complex projects or initiatives
• Excellent analytical and problem solving skills
• Strong skill in critical thinking, analysis, mathematical calculations, and statistical evaluations
• Ability to communicate and translate complex technical topics into easy to understand concepts
• Ability to establish effective relationships and independently manage those relations with all levels of internal staff and external customers, business partners, and vendors
• Ability to handle challenging or conflict situations with tact and professionalism
• Ability to effectively lead others through change
• Must be able to read, write and speak English

Reporting to this Position: None

An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans EEO/AA/Female/Minority/Disabled/Veteran