Senior Plant Engineer

Perdue Foods has a goal of becoming the most trusted name in premium proteins by creating products for consumers and for retail and foodservice customers around the globe while changing the way animals are raised for food. It is part of Perdue Farms, a fourth-generation, family-owned food and agricultural business deeply rooted in tradition yet with a forward-thinking mindset. We believe that success starts with our people, and our culture is built on a foundation of teamwork, integrity, and respect, where every voice matters and everyone is encouraged to contribute to our shared goals. We are dedicated to creating a supportive, inclusive environment where associates feel valued and inspired to make an impact, both within the company and in the communities we serve. From promoting growth and development to prioritizing work-life balance, we’re committed to helping our team members thrive. That's Perdue.

Summary

Provide technical leadership that keeps plant operations running efficiently, reliably, and at peak performance. As a Senior Plant Engineer, you will guide engineering and operational initiatives that maximize equipment uptime, improve system reliability, and support production goals through the application of Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) principles. This role partners closely with Operations, Maintenance, and cross-functional teams to solve complex technical challenges, optimize processes, and drive continuous improvement across the facility. Ideal for a results-driven engineering leader, this position offers the opportunity to influence plant performance, enhance operational capabilities, and deliver measurable impact to the business.

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Principal Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Works collaboratively with plant management team and VP of Engineering to execute technical strategies that deliver on Safety, Compliance, Quality, Profitable Growth, and Cost.

• Develops and leads overall plant technical strategies and tactics focused on Safety, Compliance, Quality, Profitable Growth, and Cost.

• Promotes and incorporates “safety” as a culture and a strategy in all aspects of the technical and operations areas and demands focused results from the entire technical organization.

• Develops and leads plant specific engineering and maintenance projects to achieve key performance goals.

• Responsible for site capital investment strategy; Develop budgets for future capital projects and compile into multi-year capital budgets.

• Ensures facilities’ structures and infrastructures are maintained to meet or exceed the operational needs including but not limited to electrical, mechanical, boiler and refrigeration systems.

• Collaborates with Engineering leadership to create, understand and strictly adhere to plant technical expense budgets.

• Provide technical leadership and work with corporate insurance, risk management and local, state and federal agencies to ensure the facility meets and exceeds codes and/or policies.

Minimum Education and Experience

• 5 years’ experience in food or manufacturing.

• Bachelor’s in Engineering or equivalent experience.

• Requires travel to vendors, training seminars, other plants and to the corporate office for periodic technical strategy meetings and capital planning sessions.

• Must be able to effectively communicate and work collaboratively within the plant and as required across all facilities.

• Needs to have a general knowledge of Auto Cad to include working with drawings, dimensioning and updating when equipment is installed or moved.

• Must be proficient in the use of general office tools such as Outlook and Microsoft Office.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Automation experience and working knowledge of the plant Computerized Maintenance Management System (Maximo).

• Experience in meat or poultry and experience leading projects in an operation.

Environmental Factors and Physical Requirements

• Position is active on the floor activities such as troubleshooting and re-design of existing systems are routine.

• May need to move equipment occasionally.

• May need to access files, supplies and equipment.

• Work activity is where the processing equipment is located.

• Work environment includes, but is not limited to, a normal office environment and construction site as well as climate extremes found in a poultry processing operation, feed mill, hatchery and a wastewater treatment facility.

• Position requires an associate to have the ability to move throughout the complex and all facilities.

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When in a plant environment:

• Exposure primarily consists of wet and moist floors which include metal and plastic grating surfaces.

• May be exposed to temperatures of 28 degrees to 100 degrees Fahrenheit with both ambient and 100% humidity.

• May handle products from 25 degrees to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Maybe exposed to noise ranges of 50 db. to 110 db.

• May be exposed to all chemicals used in poultry, food, and processing facility.

• Must wear and use protective and safety equipment required for the job as directed by the Company.

• Must be able to work in confined and or permit required confined spaces and heights. Must be able to work on and around operating equipment.

• Must be trained and use Lockout/Tagout.

Perdue Farms Inc. is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.