Director of Maintenance and Engineering

Quality Custom Distribution; Opelika (AL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Golden State Foods is seeking a Technical/Engineering leader for the Opelika site to drive the facility's technical health, strategic vision, capital plan, and reliability programs. You will lead the technical team, set sustainability metrics, and oversee major projects to optimize cost, quality, and performance.

The role requires extensive experience in food processing management, a strong track record with large-scale projects, and a focus on safety and compliance.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of food processing concepts, principles and practices.
• Proficient experience with batching, packaging and utility systems.
• Strong capital management and project execution skills (>$5MM projects).
• Experience with TPM principles desirable.
• Sanitary design principles and project startup processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead improvement teams to optimize cost and quality performance.
• Invest in the team’s skill development and capability.
• Oversee capital management and drive best-in-class efficiency.
• Evaluate and implement cost-effective technical solutions.
• Improve safety, maintenance costs and productivity.
• Develop and execute a master plan to enhance site performance.
• Define performance metrics for baseline and sustainability.

Skills

Food processing knowledge

Capital management

Project execution

TPM principles

Sanitary design

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Engineering, Finance, or related field

Tools

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

Job description

Description

ABOUT GOLDEN STATE FOODS

Golden State Foods is a distinguished leader in the food service industry, offering an extensive array of products and services to a diverse clientele. Rooted in the values of quality service and integrity, we are dedicated to creating a supportive and inclusive atmosphere where employees can advance, innovate, and contribute to our ongoing success.

JOB SUMMARY

This role serves as the Technical/Engineering functional leader for the site. This individual will lead the facility’s technical health, strategic vision, capital plan, and reliability programs. Drive the capability and skill development within the technical team to optimize performance and ensure operational excellence.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Lead improvement teams to optimize cost and quality performance.
• Invest in the team’s skill development and capability.
• Promote a “Zero Loss and Zero Breakdown” mindset.
• Oversee capital management, ensure best-in-class efficiency and execution.
• Evaluate and implement cost-effective technical solutions.
• Improve safety, maintenance costs, and productivity.
• Foster an environment of creativity and collaboration to solve technical problems.
• Develop and execute a master plan to enhance site performance.
• Define and install performance metrics for baseline and sustainability.
• Identify and evaluate new business opportunities that complement the liquid business.
• Adhere to food safety, quality, and legal compliance standards.
• Perform special projects as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and experience equivalent to:

Education/Certification:

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Engineering, Finance, or related field preferred.

Experience:

8+ years in food processing management, including managing large-scale engineering projects. Proven track record of establishing best-in-class reliability programs with significant reductions in unplanned downtime.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Expert Knowledge in:

• Food processing concepts, principals and practices.
• Proficient experience in Batching, Packaging and Utility Systems processes, typically found in food manufacturing with a breadth of experience in reliability systems and processes.
• Excellent Capital Management and project execution skills, with a successful track record of leading projects upwards $5MM.
• Operational experience with TPM Principles (Pillars, Systems, Standard work) is highly desirable.
• Well-grounded in sanitary design principles, project chartering concepts, and processes deployed to ensure project startups are vertical.

Skill and Ability to:

• Serve as a respected strategic and management leader in the company.
• Develop and implement successful consumer packaged goods strategic plan.
• Achieve targeted Category EBIT.
• Direct and motivate employees in a team-based organization.
• Prepare and deliver presentations to the highest-level management, customers, and other representatives of external organizations.
• Direct use of various PC-based word-processing, spreadsheet, analytical programs.
• Functionality in Drafting Software program (AutoCAD, SolidWorks)
• Work effectively in a general business environment, with a focus on high levels of quality and customer service.
• Travel via airplane and drive an automobile.
• Act in accordance with GSF Values and Creed.

LEADERSHIP/MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY

• Manage critical, highly sensitive external relationships.
• Foster strong working relationships throughout the LP Operations network to ensure calibration of the highest order to unlock network wide efficiencies.

KEY PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

• Achieve EBITDA annual objectives in accordance with corporate guidelines and LP Budget.
• Execute Capital Efforts effectively to ensure maximum EBIT effort across LPNA.
• Lead representing the Technical Agenda for the Plant: Ownership of Results.
• Support Plant Operation efficiency unlock through strategy unlocks.
• Define Systems and Process to manage team to achieve desired results.
• Build Capability within Technical Team, developing the team to win today and in future.

WHY JOIN US

Golden State Foods (GSF) is one of the largest diversified suppliers in the food industry, manufacturing a range of products including sauces, dressings, condiments, syrups, and toppings for leading restaurant and retail brands.

Join GSF and grow your career with a global food industry leader who:

• People First: At Golden State Foods, we're not just a company; we're a dynamic community where your talents are celebrated, and your ambitions are nurtured.
• Values Driven: Our core values drive everything we do, creating a culture of innovation, integrity, and excellence. But we're not content with just being great; we strive for greatness in every aspect of our work.
• People Development: At GSF we strive to continually develop our people to prepare us all for the needs of tomorrow.
• Philanthropy & Sustainability: We're committed to making a difference beyond our walls through philanthropy and sustainability efforts across all our locations around the globe.
• Extensive Benefits: Golden State Foods believes in a holistic approach to wellness focusing on the whole person with benefits that support those needs.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

We're proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Our company values diverse perspectives and is committed to creating an inclusive and respectful workplace where every person is supported and empowered to thrive.

Golden State Foods uses artificial intelligence ("AI") and automated tools within our applicant tracking system to assist with parts of the hiring process, including reviewing applications, matching resumes to job requirements, scheduling, and, in some cases, analyzing candidate responses or assessments. These tools evaluate job-related qualifications and characteristics such as skills, experience, education, and alignment with the requirements described in the job posting. They do not evaluate race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.

Human decision-making: AI tools support—but do not replace—our recruitment team. Final hiring decisions are made by human reviewers.

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