Plant Engineering Director - Meat Processing

Ilocatum; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 160,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Ilocatum in Sioux Falls, SD is seeking a Plant Engineering Director to lead maintenance and engineering for a high-volume protein operation, driving capital projects across multiple sites and shaping how the business runs for years to come.

The role requires a strong food manufacturing background and extensive engineering leadership, with TPM/PM-PdM expertise and proven capex delivery. Travel up to 50% and occasional long hours/weekends are expected.

Qualifications

• Food manufacturing background required.
• 10+ years of engineering management experience (or Master's degree plus 8+ years).
• 5+ years in a leadership role, including team development and management.
• Multi-site engineering experience leading capex projects from concept to completion.
• Strong maintenance and engineering background, including PM/PdM, TPM, and work order systems.
• Advanced mechanical and electrical skills (PLCs, instrumentation, mechanical engineering).
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or related field.
• Comfortable with 50% travel, plus long hours and weekends when needed.
• Proficiency with SAP and Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Lead capital projects across multiple sites, on time, on budget, and without compromising safety, food safety, or environmental standards.
• Build advanced maintenance programs, including Preventive and Predictive Maintenance and TPM, to maximize uptime.
• Plan and sequence projects to minimize disruption to production.
• Solve daily operational challenges and deliver long-term fixes that stop repeat issues.
• Set and track KPIs for equipment reliability, OEE, and supplier performance.
• Coach and develop high-performing engineering and maintenance teams.

Skills

Food manufacturing background

Engineering management experience

Leadership experience

Multi-site capex leadership

Maintenance/PM, PdM, TPM

Mechanical & electrical skills

Travel readiness 50%

SAP proficiency

Microsoft Office proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Business or related field

Master's degree in Engineering or Business

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Office

Job description

Plant Engineering Director

Sioux Falls, SD | $160,000 - $210,000 + Bonus

Lead maintenance and engineering for a high-volume protein operation, driving multi-site capital projects that shape how the business runs for years to come.

Must-Haves

• Food manufacturing background required


• 10+ years of engineering management experience (or Master's degree plus 8+ years)


• 5+ years in a leadership role, including team development and management


• Multi-site engineering experience leading capex projects from concept to completion


• Strong maintenance and engineering background, including PM/PdM, TPM, and work order systems


• Advanced mechanical and electrical skills (PLCs, instrumentation, mechanical engineering)


• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or related field


• Comfortable with 50% travel, plus long hours and weekends when needed


• Proficiency with SAP and Microsoft Office

Nice-to-Haves

• Meat processing experience, especially protein and pork


• Master's degree in Engineering or Business

About The Company

An established, fast-paced food manufacturer in the protein space, with multiple sites and a strong commitment to safety, food safety, and continuous improvement.

What You'll Do

• Lead capital projects across multiple sites, on time, on budget, and without compromising safety, food safety, or environmental standards


• Build advanced maintenance programs, including Preventive and Predictive Maintenance and TPM, to maximize uptime


• Plan and sequence projects to minimize disruption to production


• Solve daily operational challenges and deliver long-term fixes that stop repeat issues


• Set and track KPIs for equipment reliability, OEE, and supplier performance


• Coach and develop high-performing engineering and maintenance teams


• Translate technical plans into clear direction for non-technical leaders

Why This Role

You’ll own the engineering and maintenance function end to end, with the budget, scope, and influence to measurably improve plant performance across the network.