Director of Plant Maintenance and Engineering

IFS Coatings Inc; Gainesville (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

IFS Coatings Inc. seeks a Director of Engineering and Maintenance to lead strategic direction, maintenance excellence, and capital projects across our powder coatings plants.

You will drive process improvements, oversee $2–$7 million annual capex, and ensure safety, quality, and regulatory compliance while optimizing plant performance and OEE. Travel up to 30% is expected, with Gainesville, TX preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field.
• CAD or equivalent experience desired.
• Related experience in engineering and maintenance leadership roles within manufacturing.
• Proven track record managing multiple plants and large-scale capital projects.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Regulatory, safety, and industry best practices knowledge.
• Analytical mindset with data-driven decision making.
• Availability to travel 30%.
• Preferred location Gainesville TX.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with senior management to align engineering and maintenance strategies with business objectives.
• Oversee maintenance and process improvements at powder coating plants, ensuring quality, safety and regulatory compliance.
• Participate in expansion plan design.
• Drive efficiency improvements and cost-saving initiatives to maximize plant performance and profitability.
• Develop and manage annual capital expenditure budgets of $2–$7 million per year.
• Set and track performance metrics for manufacturing efficiency, quality, safety, and productivity.
• Allocate resources to support engineering and maintenance teams across all plants.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Analytical mindset

TPM/Lean

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

CAD

Job description

Description

About the role

As the Director of Engineering and Maintenance for our organization's Powder Coatings Plants, you will play a pivotal role in overseeing the strategic direction, operational efficiency, and maintenance excellence across our facilities. Leading continuous improvement projects, you will be responsible for ensuring the optimal functioning of our plants, managing substantial capital expenditure, and upholding stringent quality and safety standards. This role is critical in driving the success of our operations, directly contributing to our substantial revenue generation of approximately $100 million annually.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Collaborate with senior management to align engineering and maintenance strategies with overall business objectives.


• Oversee the maintenance and process improvements at our powder coating plants while maintaining compliance with regulatory standards, quality control measures, and safety protocols.


• Participate in design of expansion plans.


• Drive efficiency improvements and cost-saving initiatives to maximize plant performance and profitability.


• Foster a culture of innovation, teamwork, and accountability among plant personnel.


• Develop and communicate a clear vision and mission for the maintenance and production process improvements in our Coatings business, aligning with corporate goals and values.


• Develop and manage annual capital expenditure budgets ranging between $2-$7 million per year, prioritizing investments to support plant upgrades, expansions, and technological advancements.


• Set and track performance metrics to ensure manufacturing efficiency, quality, safety, and improved productivity goals are met.


• Allocate resources effectively to support engineering and maintenance teams across all plants. Oversee annual maintenance and supplies expenditures of $2 million per year, coordinating preventive and corrective maintenance activities to minimize downtime and ensure uninterrupted production schedules.


• Foster strong relationships with internal stakeholders, including production, quality assurance, supply chain, and finance departments, to ensure alignment and collaboration across functions.


• Optimize resource utilization to maximize productivity and minimize downtime.


• Establish and enforce engineering standards and best practices, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards.


• Promote knowledge sharing and collaboration among Engineering, Maintenance, and Utility Management.


• Ensure Capital projects are tracked, systematized and on-time in full.


• Manage department costs within budgetary guidelines. Initiate cost savings measures across the plants where appropriate.


• Responsible for working with Asset life cycle management. Manage the 5-year planning on rolling 12-month basis.


• As dotted line leader to Plant Maintenance, provide leadership in implementing / maintaining preventive and predictive maintenance programs.


• Drive analysis to identify and resolve recurring downtime / inefficient operational issues to drive asset reliability and OEE.


• Provide technical support for efficient troubleshooting / problem solving activities and maintenance repair to maximize efficiencies and limit downtime.


• Assist plants to schedule mandatory inspections and coordinate certifications and appropriate authorities. Ensure environmental compliance.


• Ensure all plant maintenance operations are conducted in a safe and controlled environment.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field; advanced degree preferred.


• CAD or equivalent experience desired.


• Related experience in engineering and maintenance leadership roles within the manufacturing industry, preferably in powder paint processing or related sectors.


• Proven track record of successfully managing multiple plants and large-scale capital projects, with a focus on operational efficiency, cost control, and quality improvement


• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and influence others to achieve strategic objectives.


• In-depth knowledge of regulatory requirements, safety standards, and industry best practices.


• Analytical mindset with the ability to leverage data and metrics to drive informed decision-making and continuous improvement initiatives.


• TPM and or Lean initiative's experiences


• Availability to travel 30% of time


• Preferred location Gainesville TX, area.

CHAMPION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

• Follow and enforce all environmental health and safety procedures.


• Report to upper management all near misses, incidents and hazards.


• Continuously promote our safety culture throughout the company and drive our safety culture with our employees