Plant Engineering Manager

Position Summary The Plant Engineering Manager is responsible for leading all engineering, maintenance, and reliability functions at a large dairy manufacturing facility for Daisy Brand. This role ensures the plant’s equipment, utilities, and infrastructure operate at peak performance while meeting food safety, regulatory, and operational efficiency standards. The Engineering Manager will oversee plant reliability and continuous improvement efforts to optimize performance and reduce downtime in a dairy processing environment, along with leading preventative maintenance programs and day-to-day technical support needs. The ideal candidate is an experienced engineering leader with expertise in dairy processing equipment, refrigeration systems, and Clean-in-Place (CIP) operations. Position Summary The Plant Engineering Manager is responsible for leading all engineering, maintenance, and reliability functions at a large dairy manufacturing facility for Daisy Brand. This role ensures the plant’s equipment, utilities, and infrastructure operate at peak performance while meeting food safety, regulatory, and operational efficiency standards. The Engineering Manager will oversee plant reliability and continuous improvement efforts to optimize performance and reduce downtime in a dairy processing environment, along with leading preventative maintenance programs and day-to-day technical support needs. The ideal candidate is an experienced engineering leader with expertise in dairy processing equipment, refrigeration systems, and Clean-in-Place (CIP) operations. Key Responsibilities Engineering & Maintenance Leadership Oversee day-to-day maintenance and engineering operations, ensuring the reliability and performance of dairy processing, packaging, and utility systems. Develop and implement a preventative maintenance (PM) and predictive maintenance program to minimize downtime and extend equipment life. Lead and develop a team of maintenance technicians, engineers, and support staff, ensuring training and professional growth. Establish and track KPIs related to equipment uptime, maintenance costs, downtime, OEE, and efficiency. Dairy-Specific Process & Equipment Management Manage and optimize dairy processing equipment, including pasteurization systems, homogenizers, separators, fillers, and Clean-in-Place (CIP) systems. Ensure the efficiency and reliability of refrigeration systems, steam boilers, compressed air, water and wastewater treatment to support dairy production. Work closely with quality and production teams to maintain food safety, regulatory compliance, and product consistency. Capital Projects & Continuous Improvement Oversee capital expenditure (CapEx) projects, including facility expansions, equipment upgrades, and automation initiatives. Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) principles. Evaluate and implement new technologies and automation solutions to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance product quality. Safety, Compliance, & Food Manufacturing Standards Ensure compliance with FDA, USDA, PMO (Pasteurized Milk Ordinance), SQF, HACCP, GMPs, and OSHA standards. Ensure compliance City, State & Federal Environmental Compliance Reporting (eg. PSM compliance) Drive a culture of safety, ensuring maintenance and engineering teams follow proper procedures and PPE requirements. Conduct risk assessments and reliability studies to improve plant safety and operational effectiveness. Budgeting & Cost Control Develop and manage the engineering and maintenance budget, optimizing costs while maintaining operational excellence. Negotiate contracts with vendors, suppliers, and service providers to ensure cost-effective procurement of equipment and materials. Identify and implement cost reduction strategies, including energy efficiency projects and waste minimization. Cross-Functional Collaboration Work closely with production, quality, and supply chain teams to support operational goals and resolve technical challenges. Collaborate with corporate engineering and leadership on long-term facility improvement initiatives. Serve as the technical expert on plant engineering matters, troubleshooting complex equipment and process issues. Other duties as assigned. Qualifications And Requirements Education and Experience Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or related field). 10+ years of experience in plant engineering, maintenance, or reliability in a dairy manufacturing environment. Experience managing capital projects, preventative maintenance programs, and process automation. Strong knowledge of dairy-specific processing systems, refrigeration, CIP, packaging equipment, and utility systems (boilers, HVAC, compressed air, etc.). Skills and Competencies Strong leadership and team-building skills, with experience managing multi-disciplinary teams. Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills for complex technical challenges. Financial acumen, with experience in budgeting and cost management. Knowledge of current Allan Bradley ControlLogix PLC hardware and software. Experience with ability to read and understand basic ladder logic schemes used in dairy/food process and packaging industries. Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Ability to conduct root cause analysis and failure mode investigations to identify and resolve equipment reliability issues. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and senior leadership. Strong Microsoft Office skills including advanced knowledge of Excel functionality for developing reports, interpreting data, and presenting findings. Company Overview Daisy Brand is the market leader in two billion-dollar categories – sour cream and cottage cheese. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, we’ve earned the trust of Americans through consistency and quality across five generations as a family-owned company. Our success has been guided by a simple belief: good food, much like good work, starts with integrity. That mindset continues to shape how we make our products, run our business, and support the people behind the brand. At Daisy Brand, tradition and innovation go hand in hand. We invest thoughtfully in advancements that strengthen our products and operations, supporting responsible, long-term growth. In 2025, we broke ground on a new manufacturing facility in Boone, Iowa, further strengthening our supply chain alongside our established plants in Garland, Texas; Casa Grande, Arizona; and Wooster, Ohio. Looking ahead, our state-of-the-art Innovation Center, opening in 2026, will bring together research, food science, culinary, and technology teams to shape the future of our products. Recent work from these teams includes the development of the squeeze pouch and new line of dips, reflecting an intentional approach to modernization while staying true to the quality our consumers expect. At the heart of Daisy Brand is its people. The company is intentionally structured to be collaborative and accessible, with an entrepreneurial mindset encouraged at every level. We hire with the goal of building long-term careers and provide an environment where employees are trusted to think critically, take initiative, and continue learning. Growth here isn’t accidental; it’s actively supported and shared. A no deductible, $0 premium option for employee only medical coverage Access to virtual healthcare and wellness programs A 401(k) program with company match, plus weekly safe harbor and annual profit-sharing contributions Company paid short and long-term disability coverage and 2x annual salary in life and AD&D insurance Four weeks of paid time off, plus 20 hours of floating holidays in your first full year of employment Annual rollover and payout options for any unused paid time off Paid time for volunteering and community involvement Tuition reimbursement and ongoing professional development opportunities Fitness and wellness incentives And more. Daisy Brand is a nicotine-free company. Daisy Brand is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Veterans and disabled encouraged to apply. #J-18808-Ljbffr Daisy Brand