VP of Engineering and Maintenance

Steuben Foods Inc.; Town of Elma (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Steuben Foods Inc. is seeking a VP of Engineering & Maintenance in the Town of Elma, NY. This leadership role involves overseeing all engineering and maintenance functions to align strategies with business objectives, ensuring safety and regulatory compliance. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s Degree in engineering and over 10 years of relevant experience in manufacturing.

The VP will also be responsible for developing maintenance programs and leading teams to drive efficiency and minimize downtime.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in engineering and maintenance.
• Strong background in manufacturing, preferably food or beverage.
• Experience with liquid foods processing systems preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the engineering and maintenance teams and strategy.
• Oversee design and implementation of engineering projects.
• Develop preventative maintenance programs and monitor performance.

Skills

Leadership and team development

Advanced problem-solving

Financial and budget management

Excellent communication

Engineering principles

Change and process improvement

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field

Tools

CMMS/EAM systems

Job description

The VP of Engineering & Maintenance is responsible for leading the strategic direction, planning, and execution of all engineering and maintenance functions. The VP will oversee capital projects, engineering design, preventative maintenance programs, and regulatory compliance, while aligning departmental objectives with business goals. This position plays a critical role in driving efficiency, minimizing downtime, and supporting long-term growth.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership

• Develop and execute the overall engineering and maintenance strategy aligned with company objectives
• Lead, mentor, and develop engineering and maintenance teams
• Partner with operations, quality, research and development, supply chain, accounting, and HR to drive cross-functional alignment
• Establish KPIs to measure performance, efficiency, and equipment reliability
• Develop and manage budgets for engineering and maintenance. Monitor spending and identify cost-saving opportunities

Engineering

• Oversee design, development, and implementation of engineering projects
• Ensure all systems, equipment, and processes meet safety, quality, and regulatory standards
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, cost reduction, and innovation
• Manage vendor selection, contractor performance, and project timelines

Maintenance

• Develop and implement preventative maintenance programs
• Oversee CMMS/EAM systems to ensure accurate tracking of maintenance activities
• Drive initiatives to reduce downtime and improve equipment reliability
• Ensure troubleshooting and resolution of equipment and system issues

Compliance & Safety

• Ensure compliance with all OSHA, FDA, USDA, and other regulatory requirements
• Maintain adherence to GMPs, food safety, and quality standards
• Promote a strong safety culture within engineering and maintenance teams

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field
• Minimum of 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in engineering and maintenance
• Strong background in manufacturing environments, preferably in food, beverage, or dairy processing
• Experience with liquid foods processing systems, including aseptic and/or ESL processing (preferred)
• Proven experience with CMMS/EAM systems

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership and team development skills
• Advanced problem-solving and troubleshooting skills
• Financial and budget management experience
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Deep understanding of engineering principles and maintenance strategies
• Ability to drive change and implement process improvements