Sr. Plant Engineering Manager

Ventura Foods; Chambersburg (Franklin County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Vision and dental coverage

401(k) matching

Paid vacation and holidays

Employee programs

Job summary

Ventura Foods seeks a Senior Plant Engineering Manager to lead engineering and capital projects across a manufacturing facility. You will drive reliability, safety, and cost optimization while partnering across functions to reduce losses and improve OEE.

The role requires hands-on ammonia refrigeration expertise, PSM/RMP program oversight, and proven leadership in a large production environment with CAD capability and strong regulatory knowledge.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrial Management, Environmental Science or equivalent.
• 5–10 years in engineering, industrial management, environmental science.
• Experience in a large manufacturing facility with ammonia refrigeration and PSM/RMP programs.

Responsibilities

• Engineer and manage capital projects from concept through commissioning.
• Create and manage CAD drawings of facility layouts and future projects.
• Lead installation, upgrades, and testing of equipment to meet specs.
• Review bids, select contractors, and supervise external teams.
• Evaluate new technologies to improve throughput and reduce costs.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Communication

Maintenance planning

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Tools

CAD software

Job description

Location: Chambersburg, PA, US, 17201

Position Summary:

The Senior Plant Engineering Manager is responsible for expertly leading all engineering and capital project activities within a manufacturing facility. This role ensures the reliability, efficiency, and continuous improvement of plant equipment, infrastructure, and processes to support safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives. This leader drives a proactive reliability culture, oversees capital execution, and partners cross-functionally to eliminate losses and improve overall equipment effectiveness.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Engineer and manage capital projects from concept through commissioning, including construction projects to adhere to company capital schedules, budgets and time frame. Facilitator/author of success criteria development and implementation. Responsible for monthly and other reports on status of capital projects and for all capital project recordkeeping. Functions as project manager during the development, installation and start-up of capital projects. Responsible for planning, scheduling, coordination, implementation, reports, records and completion of each project.
• Responsible for creation and management of CAD drawings of the facility and surrounding grounds to accurately represent current facility layout. Modeling of future projects into current facility layout to assist affected departments in development and acceptance.
• Engineers the removal, installation and location of all equipment and machinery. Responsible for all installations and upgrades to meet all electrical, plumbing, mechanical and safety requirements. Test newly installed equipment to ensure it meets specifications as stated in success criteria.
• Reviews all bids and proposals, then selects and/or makes recommendations of contractor, vendors and equipment. Represent the company when dealing with outside contractors and vendors. Manage activities of contracted companies/employees, provides support and training as needed to perform duties in an acceptable manner for Ventura Foods. Maintains rigorous standards for each contractor and holds contractors’ staff responsible for achieving and maintaining those standards including safety.
• Reviews and evaluates new technologies and equipment to improve throughput and cost reduction for all systems within the facility.
• Other duties as assigned; travel may be required.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Industrial Management, Environmental Science or equivalent experience.
5- 10 years of experience in Engineering, Industrial Management, Environmental Science.
Experience working in a large, manufacturing facility is required!
Must have hands‑on expertise with automation machinery and proven knowledge of ammonia refrigeration systems, and direct experience managing PSM/RMP programs to ensure safe, compliant operation of all ammonia‑based processes.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Possess a strong knowledge of mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, refrigeration, hydraulic, and boiler systems.
• Knowledge of State and Federal regulations with regard to FDA, OSHA and EPA regulatory requirements in a manufacturing setting.
• Knowledge and/or experience with sanitary design and packaging equipment.
• Strong managerial, organizational, and communication skills.
• Able to lead resource planning efforts in a large manufacturing environment.
• Thorough knowledge of maintenance systems, work order process, preventive/predictive maintenance, TPM, etc.
• Superior equipment troubleshooting and problem solving skills. Ability to analyze different situations and adapt as required.
• Must be able to work well under pressure and be able to organize, direct and manage personnel and 3rd party contractors.
• Ability to handle multiple duties and projects simultaneously.
• Must be people oriented and have the ability to interface with employees at all levels of the organization by utilizing excellent written, verbal and presentation skills.
• Essential leadership competencies: Results driven with strong bias for action, ability to lead through ambiguity and drive change, strong problem solving and analytical skills, effective communicator across all levels of the organization, high accountability and ownership mindset.

Why Join Us:

Ventura Foods offers career growth opportunities as well as competitive compensation and benefits:

• Medical, Prescription, Dental, & Vision – coverage beginning on your 1st day for eligible employees
• Profit Sharing and 401(k) matching (after eligible criteria is met)
• Paid Vacation, Sick Time, and Holidays
• Employee Appreciation Events and Employee Assistance Programs

Physical Demands:
All jobs require sufficient physical strength and dexterity to perform the required task(s)and typically also require at a minimum: intermittent sitting, standing, walking, climbing, squatting, kneeling, pushing, and pulling. Occasional lifting and/or moving up to 50 pounds or more with assistance may also be required. Please see the job description for specific requirements.

Work Environment:
Please see the job description for specific requirements of the position for which you are applying.

Typical shifts are 8-12 hours per day. Additional unscheduled time after hours and on weekends may also be required. Employees must be willing and able to wear personal protective equipment as required by Company policy and/or legal requirements. In addition, certain jobs may require employees to:

• Work outside and/or in adverse temperatures which could include extreme heat, cold, and humidity;
• Be exposed to vibrations, chemicals used inoperations, fumes and food allergens (may include soy, dairy and other allergens); and
• Be required to work in confined and dark spaces, and at heights in excess of 18 feet.

Diversity & Inclusion:
Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive environment in which all employees are treated with respect is evident in our company culture and values. We believe that fostering an environment of inclusion and a focus on diversity across our organization is vital to attracting top talent, driving innovation, and meeting the high expectations of our customers in a rapidly evolving global marketplace

Ventura Foods is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.