Powder Coatings Plant Maintenance & Engineering Leader

IFS Coatings Inc; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

IFS Coatings Inc. seeks a Director of Engineering and Maintenance to lead strategic direction, drive maintenance excellence, and oversee capital projects across our powder coating plants.

You will manage large-scale capital budgets, optimize uptime, safety, and quality while steering continuous improvement initiatives in a high-output environment. You will collaborate with senior leadership, design expansion plans, and foster a culture of accountability and innovation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• CAD or equivalent experience desired.
• Related experience in engineering and maintenance leadership roles within the manufacturing industry, preferably in powder paint processing or related sectors.
• Proven track record of successfully managing multiple plants and large-scale capital projects, with a focus on operational efficiency, cost control, and quality improvement.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and influence others to achieve strategic objectives.
• In-depth knowledge of regulatory requirements, safety standards, and industry best practices.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to leverage data and metrics to drive informed decision-making and continuous improvement initiatives.
• TPM and or Lean initiative's experiences
• Availability to travel 30% of time
• Preferred location Gainesville TX, area.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with senior management to align engineering and maintenance strategies with overall business objectives.
• Oversee the maintenance and process improvements at our powder coating plants while maintaining compliance with regulatory standards, quality control measures, and safety protocols.
• Participate in design of expansion plans.
• Drive efficiency improvements and cost-saving initiatives to maximize plant performance and profitability.
• Foster a culture of innovation, teamwork, and accountability among plant personnel.
• Develop and communicate a clear vision and mission for the maintenance and production process improvements in our Coatings business, aligning with corporate goals and values.
• Develop and manage annual capital expenditure budgets ranging between $2-$7 million per year, prioritizing investments to support plant upgrades, expansions, and technological advancements.
• Set and track performance metrics to ensure manufacturing efficiency, quality, safety, and improved productivity goals are met.
• Allocate resources effectively to support engineering and maintenance teams across all plants. Oversee annual maintenance and supplies expenditures of $2 million per year, coordinating preventive and corrective maintenance activities to minimize downtime and ensure uninterrupted production schedules.
• Foster strong relationships with internal stakeholders, including production, quality assurance, supply chain, and finance departments, to ensure alignment and collaboration across functions.
• Optimize resource utilization to maximize productivity and minimize downtime.
• Establish and enforce engineering standards and best practices, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards.
• Promote knowledge sharing and collaboration among Engineering, Maintenance, and Utility Management.
• Ensure Capital projects are tracked, systematized and on-time in full.
• Manage department costs within budgetary guidelines. Initiate cost savings measures across the plants where appropriate.
• Responsible for working with Asset life cycle management. Manage the 5-year planning on rolling 12-month basis.
• As dotted line leader to Plant Maintenance, provide leadership in implementing / maintaining preventive and predictive maintenance programs.
• Drive analysis to identify and resolve recurring downtime / inefficient operational issues to drive asset reliability and OEE.
• Provide technical support for efficient troubleshooting / problem solving activities and maintenance repair to maximize efficiencies and limit downtime.
• Assist plants to schedule mandatory inspections and coordinate certifications and appropriate authorities. Ensure environmental compliance.
• Ensure all plant maintenance operations are conducted in a safe and controlled environment.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Analytical mindset

Data-driven decision making

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

CAD

Job description

IFS Coatings Inc. seeks a Director of Engineering and Maintenance to lead strategic direction, drive maintenance excellence, and oversee capital projects across our powder coating plants.

You will manage large-scale capital budgets, optimize uptime, safety, and quality while steering continuous improvement initiatives in a high-output environment. You will collaborate with senior leadership, design expansion plans, and foster a culture of accountability and innovation.