Engineering Manager

Job title: Sr Manager, Engineering, Maintenance & EHS Mission: The Senior Manager is responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership across engineering, maintenance, facilities, capital projects, and environmental health & safety functions within a manufacturing environment. This role drives operational efficiency, ensures regulatory compliance, and supports continuous improvement initiatives across the plant. Key Responsibilities Lead all manufacturing engineering initiatives, including process optimization, equipment design, automation, and plant improvements. Manage capital projects from concept through completion, including equipment installation, facility expansion, line startups, and infrastructure upgrades. Oversee contractor selection, construction management, and coordination with regulatory agencies. Partner with Operations, Quality, R&D, and Supply Chain on new product launches, process improvements, and capacity expansion. Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend investments that improve productivity, quality, and efficiency. Maintenance & Reliability Provide leadership and strategic direction to the Maintenance organization, including direct oversight of the Maintenance Manager and maintenance team. Develop and execute preventive, predictive, and reliability-centered maintenance programs. Improve equipment uptime, reduce downtime, and enhance overall asset performance. Ensure effective spare parts management, CMMS utilization, and maintenance planning. Support troubleshooting of complex mechanical, electrical, and controls issues. Lead the plant's Environmental, Health & Safety strategy and compliance programs. Foster a proactive safety culture focused on prevention, accountability, and continuous improvement. Ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, and all applicable federal, state, and local regulations. Oversee incident investigations, corrective actions, safety audits, and risk assessments. Drive safety training and employee engagement initiatives across the facility. Build, coach, and develop high-performing Engineering, Maintenance, and EHS teams. Establish succession plans and mentor future leaders. Drive Lean Manufacturing, TPM, and Six Sigma initiatives. Develop and monitor KPIs related to reliability, maintenance, safety, and capital performance. Serve as a key advisor to plant leadership on technical and operational matters. Performs other duties as assigned. Qualifications and Skills Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related technical field required; Master's degree preferred. Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing engineering, maintenance, and plant operations within a food manufacturing environment. Demonstrated success leading maintenance, engineering, and EHS functions in a complex manufacturing setting. Strong experience managing capital projects, facility expansions, and equipment installations. Extensive knowledge of manufacturing equipment, automation, controls, utilities, and plant infrastructure. Deep understanding of OSHA, EPA, machine safety, and industrial health and safety regulations. Proven leadership experience managing managers and cross-functional technical teams. Required demonstrated experience leading Lean Manufacturing, TPM, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement initiatives within a manufacturing environment. Required proficiency with CMMS, AutoCAD, and project management software, with a proven ability to leverage these tools to drive operational and project success. Spanish fluency is required. Location Greater Chicago area Other Information Candidate must show proof of US citizenship/visa/alien registration. No sponsorship will be offered for this role. #J-18808-Ljbffr