Plant Engineering Manager

Conagra Brands; Town of Darien (WI); On-site; USD 109,000 - 159,000; Full time

Job summary

Conagra Brands in Wisconsin seeks a senior Plant Engineering role to oversee safety, capital planning, and cross-functional execution across multiple functions. You will partner with the Platform Engineering Director to resource projects and lead technical teams.

The role requires a Bachelors degree in Engineering, 5+ years in food manufacturing, and experience with plant utilities and PSM. Weekend/holiday rotation and strong leadership are expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering required.
• 5+ years of food manufacturing experience with increasing responsibility.
• Maintenance experience with plant utility systems (ammonia, nitrogen, steam, natural gas, compressed air).
• Experience with Process Safety Management (PSM).
• Proven leadership and mentoring within cross-functional teams.
• Experience presenting to all levels in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience using CAD software and ERP systems.
• Willingness to rotate shifts and work weekends/holidays as required.

Responsibilities

• Assist the plant in establishing safety as the top priority.
• Lead cross-functional development and execution of the plant capital plan.
• Resource projects with the Platform Engineering Director and SMEs.
• Support internal systems audits and continuous improvement.
• Provide direction for EM Pillar Team long/short-term plans.
• Lead project execution and technical leadership at plant and division levels.
• Participate in and lead teams to improve safety, quality, utilization, cost, and customer service.
• Coordinate across departments to maximize plant resource efficiency.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Safety culture

Communication to all levels

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

CAD software

ERP systems

Job description

A Taste of Your Responsibilities

• Assist the plant in establishing safety for all team members as the plant’s first objective.
• Lead the cross‑functional development and execution of the plant capital plan in partnership with Safety, Sanitation, Quality, Environmental, Operations, Maintenance, Finance, and other corporate functions.
• Partner with the Platform Engineering Director to resource projects, including engineering project management, subject matter expertise, and startup management support.
• Support internal systems audits and continuous improvement activities.
• Support the Plant in providing direction and lead the EM Pillar Team in the development of long and short‑term plans and goals for the Plant.
• Support the plant with project execution and technical leadership at both plant and division levels.
• Participate on and lead project teams that improve safety, quality, utilization, labor relations, sanitation, cost performance, and customer service.
• Communicate and collaborate across departments to ensure plant resources are efficiently utilized to maximize true efficiency.
• Manage the Utilities team and ensure functionality and compliance for plant utility systems, including ammonia refrigeration, nitrogen, steam, natural gas, and compressed air.
• Prepare and lead team meetings to support effective communication and team development.
• Partner closely with Maintenance, Quality, Production, and Warehouse teams to foster a cooperative and high‑performance plant environment.
• Provide work direction and coordination for mechanical and clerical activities within the maintenance organization.

Ingredients Required for Your Success

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering
• Five or more years of experience in food manufacturing with increasing responsibility
• Maintenance experience with plant utility systems, including ammonia refrigeration, nitrogen, steam, natural gas, and compressed air
• Experience with Process Safety Management (PSM)
• Demonstrated leadership skills with experience serving as a peer mentor and advisor to cross‑functional partners
• Experience communicating and presenting to all levels within a manufacturing plant
• Experience using computer aided design software
• Experience working with enterprise resource planning systems
• Willingness to rotate shifts and work weekends and holidays when required

Compensation Pay Range

Pay Range: $109,000-$159,000

The annual salary listed above is the expected offering for this position. An employee’s actual annual salary will be based on but not limited to: location, relevant experience/level and skillset, while balancing internal Conagra employees’ equity. Conagra Brands will comply with applicable law regarding minimum salaries for exempt employees.

Our Benefits

• Health: Comprehensive healthcare plans, wellness incentive program, mental wellbeing support and fitness reimbursement
• Wealth: Great pay, bonus incentive opportunity, matching 401(k) and stock purchase plan
• Growth: Career development opportunities, employee resource groups, on-demand learning and tuition reimbursement
• Balance: Paid‑time off, parental leave, flexible work-schedules (subject to your location and role) and volunteer opportunities

Our Company

At Conagra Brands, we have a rich heritage of making great food. We aspire to have the most impactful, energized and inclusive culture in food. As a member of our 18,000+ person team across 40+ locations, you are empowered to reach your potential, make an impact and own your career. We’re in the business of building champions – within our people and our iconic brands like Birds Eye, Slim Jim and Reddi Wip. Our focus on innovation extends beyond making great food, it also reflects our commitment to embracing new solutions that positively impact our team, the communities we serve and the health of our planet. Foodies Welcome.

Conagra Brands is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, leave status, disability, veteran status, genetic information and/or any other characteristic or status protected by national, federal, state or local law. Reasonable accommodation may be made upon request.

At Conagra Brands, we have a rich heritage of making great food. We aspire to have the most impactful, energized and inclusive culture in food. As a member of our 18,000+ person team across 40+ locations, you are empowered to reach your potential, make an impact and own your career. We’re in the business of building champions – within our people and our iconic brands like Birds Eye, Slim Jim and Reddi Wip. Our focus on innovation extends beyond making great food, it also reflects our commitment to embracing new solutions that positively impact our team, the communities we serve and the health of our planet. Foodies Welcome.

Conagra Brands is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, leave status, disability, veteran status, genetic information and/or any other characteristic or status protected by national, federal, state or local law. Reasonable accommodation may be made upon request.