Mechanical Engineer

Golden State Foods; Opelika (AL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Golden State Foods is seeking a site maintenance lead to enhance equipment reliability, optimize maintenance strategies, and reduce downtime. The role partners with operations and maintenance teams to advance Operator‑Driven Reliability, owning MP&S and BDE systems and driving continuous improvement.

The candidate will develop reliability metrics, coach floor teams, conduct root‑cause analyses and ensure safety, quality, and food safety standards are maintained across shifts.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree preferred or significant relevant experience.
• Minimum 3-year experience as a maintenance or production supervisor.
• Experience in TPM/IWS environments and DDS/ODR/PM pillar methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Plan, execute and coach PM/ODR at the site level.
• Own the maintenance systems: MP&S and BDE, and ensure PM planning and tracking.
• Develop and maintain reliability metrics and dashboards (MTBF, MTTR, OEE).
• Lead, coach and train teams through ODR steps 0–3.
• Support improvements through equipment design work and benchmarking across plants.
• Conduct root‑cause analyses and build team competency to prevent recurrence.

Skills

Mechanical knowledge

World-class manufacturing

Statistical analysis

Root cause analysis

Project management

MS Office

Manufacturing concepts

Mathematical skills

Predictive maintenance

Education

Engineering degree

Job 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 diversified clientele. Rooted in quality, service and integrity, Golden State Foods is dedicated to creating a supportive and inclusive atmosphere where employees can advance, innovate and contribute to our ongoing success.

Description

A key leader on the line‑centric team, this role is responsible for improving equipment reliability, optimizing maintenance strategies and reducing unplanned downtime. It combines data analysis, engineering principles and hands‑on collaboration with operations and maintenance teams to enhance plant performance, safety and cost efficiency. The leader participates in the Progressive Maintenance (PM) pillar and owns two Daily Management Systems: Maintenance Planning & Scheduling (MP&S) and Breakdown Elimination (BDE). The role partners with Operations to advance Operator‑Driven Reliability/Autonomous Maintenance (ODR/AM) across the site and builds the capability of mechanics and operators to sustain improvements.

Essential Functions

• Play a critical role on a site pillar typically PM and/or ODR, including planning, execution, strategy at the site level, coordination at the supervisor level, and coaching at the floor level.
• Own the execution and health of two Daily Management Systems: Maintenance Planning and Scheduling (MP&S) and Breakdown Elimination (BDE).
• Own and maintain maintenance plans for relevant zones, ensuring appropriate PMs, equipment ranking, quality of PMs, PM execution, PM tracking, and continuous improvement.
• Develop and maintain reliability metrics and dashboards (MTBF, MTTR, OEE, UPDT, etc.) to communicate reliability performance and improvement projects.
• Develop, coach and audit equipment standards, including Preventive Maintenance (PMs), Centerlines (CL), Clean‑Inspect and Lube (CIL), defect handling (DH) and rate improvement.
• Ensure calibration of PM & ODR systems & standards to maximize equipment availability and extend component life cost‑effectively.
• Evaluate equipment design and recommend modifications for improved reliability.
• Personally lead, facilitate and coach teams through ODR Steps 0‑3, delivering training to associates to build capability and qualify others to lead the step process as the journey progresses.
• Support ODR teams in reducing losses and making improvements through equipment design work, benchmarking with other plants and aligning standard design improvements. Help develop the technical capability of operators.
• Conduct root‑cause analysis and build competency of team members to conduct regular in‑depth analyses on breakdowns to prevent recurrence.
• Identify and eliminate chronic equipment issues using data‑driven methods; track breakdowns, PMs and equipment performance and drive system and standards improvement.
• Conduct regular health checks to coach floor execution and identify system improvement opportunities.
• Ensure safety, quality, and food safety condition issues are resolved quickly.
• Participate and coach healthy operational reviews (shift‑by‑shift, daily, weekly, monthly).
• Perform other related and assigned duties as necessary.

What You’ll Need

Education & Experience

Engineering degree preferred from an accredited college or significant relevant experience.

Experience

• Minimum 3‑year experience as a maintenance or production supervisor, preferably in a mature TPM/IWS environment.
• Participation in and understanding of daily directional setting (DDS) / operational reviews from floor to plant level.
• ODR(AM) / PM pillar experience preferred, i.e., ODR steps 0‑3 and PM steps 1 and 2 methodologies.
• Systemic results improvement through leadership of people & ownership of systems.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge (B/basic; J/journey; E/expert)

• Mechanical knowledge (E)
• World‑class manufacturing systems (E)
• Statistical analysis and reliability modeling (J)
• Root cause analysis (E)
• Project management (J)
• PC word‑processing / spreadsheet software (J)
• Manufacturing concepts and techniques (E)
• Math and analytical skills (J)
• Relevant department concepts, policies, and regulations (B)
• Predictive maintenance technologies (J)

Skills and Abilities

• Manage projects on time and to budget.
• Hands‑on leadership—on the floor, coaching associates.
• Excellent communication and cross‑functional teamwork.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Improve capability across a diverse team.
• Influence, coach and build capability in leaders at all levels.
• Motivate associates in a team‑based environment.
• Improve equipment design.
• Identify problems or irregularities (defects) early for resolution.
• Communicate and coordinate effectively with associates verbally and in writing.
• Communicate and coordinate effectively with internal and external customers.
• Travel via airplane and automobile.
• Work effectively in a general business environment with a focus on high levels of quality and customer service.
• Act in accordance with GSF’s Creed and Values.

Performance Categories

• Productivity/quality standards: healthy daily management systems.
• Maximize equipment availability.
• Extend equipment component technical life.
• Efficient, cost‑effective maintenance.
• In‑depth analysis completion, coaching and quality.
• GPS phase progression.
• Project/assignment standards.
• Cost containment—maintenance spend (parts & labor).
• Capital spend monitoring.
• Teamwork within the department and across departments.
• Customer satisfaction.
• Vendor relations.

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—your talents are celebrated and ambitions nurtured.
• Values driven—our core values shape a culture of innovation, integrity and excellence.
• People development—continuous growth of our employees for tomorrow’s needs.
• Philanthropy & sustainability—impact beyond our walls through community and environmental initiatives.
• Extensive benefits—holistic wellness focusing on the whole person.

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.