The Engineering & Maintenance Manager is responsible for leading all engineering projects and maintenance operations at the facility to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable manufacturing operations. This role oversees capital projects, equipment installations, preventive and predictive maintenance programs, facility maintenance, department budgets, maintenance personnel, and continuous improvement initiatives. The Engineering & Maintenance Manager partners with Operations, Quality, Safety, and Corporate Engineering to maximize equipment reliability, improve operational efficiency, and support long-term plant growth.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead and manage all engineering and capital improvement projects from concept through completion.
- Develop project scopes, budgets, timelines, and financial justifications for capital expenditures.
- Prepare and submit all Project Expenditure Proposal (PEP) documentation.
- Coordinate the installation, commissioning, and start-up of new equipment and production lines.
- Ensure all engineering work complies with company standards, regulatory requirements, and accepted engineering practices.
- Draft, update, and maintain plant layouts and engineering documentation.
- Evaluate project feasibility, costs, and return on investment and present recommendations to leadership.
- Serve as the primary liaison between Engineering, Operations, and Corporate teams throughout project execution.
Maintenance Operations
- Direct all maintenance activities for production equipment, utilities, and facility infrastructure.
- Develop, implement, and continuously improve preventive and predictive maintenance programs.
- Utilize CMMS software to manage work orders, preventive maintenance schedules, and maintenance history.
- Troubleshoot and resolve equipment failures while minimizing downtime.
- Ensure adequate spare parts inventory and effective inventory management practices.
- Investigate opportunities to upgrade equipment, improve automation, and increase operational reliability.
- Maintain buildings, utilities, and grounds to ensure safe and efficient operations.
Leadership & Team Management
- Provide leadership, coaching, and development for maintenance technicians and engineering personnel.
- Establish departmental goals and monitor performance against key performance indicators.
- Hold employees accountable for productivity, quality, attendance, and safety expectations.
- Foster a culture of teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Support employee training and technical skill development.
Safety, Quality & Continuous Improvement
- Promote a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with OSHA, food safety, environmental, and company regulations.
- Identify safety hazards and implement corrective actions.
- Support food safety and quality initiatives by ensuring equipment reliability and compliance.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on increasing equipment uptime, reducing waste, lowering maintenance costs, and improving Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
- Monitor project and maintenance deadlines to ensure timely completion.
- Develop and manage departmental operating and capital budgets.
- Monitor maintenance and project expenditures to ensure cost control.
- Prepare reports, project updates, maintenance metrics, and performance analyses for leadership.
- Maintain accurate engineering and maintenance documentation.
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Project Management, Industrial Technology, or a related field preferred.
- Equivalent combination of education and extensive maintenance leadership experience may be considered.
Experience
- Seven or more years of progressive maintenance and engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Minimum of three years leading engineering projects and capital installations.
- Minimum of three years of supervisory or management experience.
- Food manufacturing experience preferred.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Strong knowledge of mechanical, electrical, PLC controls, automation, utilities, fabrication, and facility systems.
- Experience managing capital projects from planning through implementation.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, CMMS software, and CAD software preferred.
- Strong project management, budgeting, and organizational skills.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Effective communication and leadership skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence.
Working Conditions:
The position requires the ability to handle physical requirements, including but not limited to, repeated bending, stretching, twisting, and lifting. This position is subject to Safety Risks due to hands on management in a manufacturing environment. It is subject to stress caused by a changing environment, diversity in the organization, tight deadlines and workload.
Bellisio Foods provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, gender identity or expression, disability, or any other class protected by local, state or federal law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment.