Mechanical Engineer

GSF; Opelika (AL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Extensive benefits

Job summary

Golden State Foods in Opelika, AL is seeking a maintenance/production supervisor to improve equipment reliability, optimize maintenance strategies, and reduce downtime. This hands‑on leader will drive two PM systems, coach operations and drive continuous improvement across maintenance and reliability programs.

The role emphasizes data‑driven analysis, collaboration with operations, and development of operators and mechanics to sustain improvements and standards site‑wide.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree preferred or significant relevant experience.
• Minimum 3 years experience as a maintenance or production supervisor.
• Experience with TPM/IWS, ODR/AM methodologies is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead PM/ODR pillar on site, planning/execution and coaching at floor level.
• Own two Daily Management Systems: MP&S and BDE, ensuring health and effectiveness.
• Direct maintenance plans for zones, ensuring PMs, ranking, execution, tracking and continuous improvement.
• Develop reliability metrics and dashboards (MTBF, MTTR, OEE) to communicate performance.
• Develop, coach and audit equipment standards (PMs, Centerlines, CIL, DH) and rate improvements.
• Ensure calibration across the site to maximize equipment availability and life.

Skills

Mechanical knowledge

World Class Manufacturing

Statistical analysis

Root Cause Analysis

Project Management

Office productivity (MS Word/Excel)

Manufacturing concepts

Mathematical skills

Predictive maintenance technologies

Education

Engineering degree

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.

ABOUT THE ROLE

A key leader, part of the line centric team, responsible for improving equipment reliability, optimizing maintenance strategies, and reducing unplanned downtime. The role combines data analysis, engineering principles, and hands‑on collaboration with operations and maintenance teams to enhance overall plant performance, safety, and cost efficiency. A key member of the Progressive Maintenance (PM) pillar team that lead the journey for the site to maximize equipment availability in the most efficient and cost‑effective manner. This role has ownership of 2 Daily Management Systems, Maintenance Planning & Scheduling (MP&S) and Breakdown Elimination (BDE). A partner with Operations to progress Operator Driven Reliability/Autonomous Maintenance (ODR/AM) across the site. A hands‑on leader building capability of Mechanics and Operators to sustain improvements and systems.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

Essential Functions

• Plays a critical role on a site Pillar typically PM and/or ODR, including planning and execution, able to strategize at the site level, coordinate at the supervisor level, and coach at floor level.
• Responsible for the execution and health of two Daily Management Systems; Maintenance Planning and Scheduling (MP&S) and Breakdown Elimination (BDE).
• Own the maintenance plans for relevant zones – ensuring appropriate PMs, equipment ranking, the 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.
• Ensures calibration across the site on PM & ODR systems & standards to maximize equipment availability, extend component life in an efficient and cost‑effective way.
• Evaluate equipment design and recommend modifications for improved reliability.
• Personally lead, facilitate, & coach teams through ODR Steps 0-3, delivering training to associates to build capability & qualifying others to be able to lead the step process as the journey progresses.
• Supports ODR teams as they seek to reduce losses & make improvements through equipment design work. This includes benchmarking with other plants and aligning standard design improvements. Help develop the technical capability of Operators.
• Conduct root cause analysis and build capability of team members to conduct regular In-Depth Analyses on breakdowns to identify root causes and improve standards to prevent recurrence.
• Identify and eliminate chronic equipment issues using data‑driven methods. Track breakdowns, PMs and equipment performance for relevant areas and drive improvement in systems and standards.
• Conduct regular health checks to coach the floor execution and identify opportunities for improvement in systems.
• Ensure safety, quality, and food safety condition issues are resolved quickly.
• Participate and coach healthy Operational Reviews (shiftly, daily, weekly, monthly).
• Performs 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 & 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

• Mechanical knowledge (E)
• World Class Manufacturing Systems (E)
• Statistical analysis and reliability modeling (J)
• Root Cause Analysis (E)
• Project Management (J)
• PC wordprocessing/spreadsheet software (J)
• Manufacturing concepts and techniques (E)
• Math and analytical skills (J)
• Relevant department concepts, policies, and regulations (B)
• Predictive maintenance technologies (J)

Skill and Ability to

• 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 of people
• Influence, coach, & build capability in leaders at all levels
• Motivate associates in a team‑based environment
• Good problem‑solving skills
• Improve equipment design
• Identify problems or irregularities (defects) for early 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: 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.