Utility Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Utility Manager to own the systems that keep our juice and supplement manufacturing facility running: steam and boiler operations, compressed air, refrigeration, water treatment (RO/DI and potable), wastewater/discharge compliance, and the electrical infrastructure that powers production.

This is a critical infrastructure and compliance position. The successful candidate must be highly attentive to utility system performance, regulatory permits, preventive maintenance, and emergency response readiness. The ideal candidate has hands-on experience managing industrial utility systems in a food, beverage, or similarly regulated manufacturing environment and understands that reliable utilities are the foundation every production and sanitation process depends on.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the day-to-day operation, monitoring, and performance of all plant utility systems, including boilers, steam distribution, compressed air, refrigeration/glycol systems, and RO/DI water treatment.
• Manage wastewater pretreatment and discharge processes; monitor BOD, pH, and flow to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal discharge permits.
• Oversee electrical distribution infrastructure, including transformers, switchgear, backup generators, and emergency power systems; coordinate with licensed electricians and contractors as needed.
• Develop and manage preventive maintenance schedules for all utility equipment; track completion, identify recurring issues, and drive corrective action.
• Monitor utility consumption (water, electricity, natural gas, compressed air) and lead energy efficiency and cost-reduction initiatives across the facility.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, state environmental agencies, and local utility codes; maintain all required permits, inspections, and regulatory documentation.
• Lead emergency response for utility failures (power loss, boiler shutdown, water supply interruption, refrigeration failure) to minimize production downtime and protect product safety.
• Partner with Maintenance on capital planning for utility infrastructure upgrades, replacements, and expansion projects as the facility scales.
• Coordinate with Sanitation and Quality to ensure water quality (potable and process water) consistently meets specifications required for juice and supplement production.
• Manage and develop utility technicians; schedule coverage across shifts to ensure 24/7 monitoring and response capability where required.
• Maintain accurate logs, calibration records, and compliance documentation for all utility systems; ensure the facility is audit-ready at all times for FDA, SQF, EPA, or customer inspections.
• Support root cause investigations when utility performance issues affect production, quality, or food safety outcomes.
• Manage relationships with utility providers, regulatory agencies, and service contractors; negotiate contracts and service agreements as needed.
• Identify and implement improvements to reduce waste, downtime, and environmental impact across all utility systems.
• Communicate utility status, planned outages, and maintenance windows clearly to Production, Maintenance, and plant leadership.

Qualifications & Skills

• High school diploma or GED required; Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Facilities Management, or a related technical field preferred.
• 5+ years of experience managing industrial utility systems (boilers, compressed air, refrigeration, water treatment, wastewater) in a food, beverage, or similarly regulated manufacturing environment.
• Working knowledge of boiler operations and applicable licensing/certification requirements.
• Experience with RO/DI water treatment systems and wastewater pretreatment and discharge compliance.
• Understanding of industrial refrigeration or glycol systems and associated safety protocols.
• Familiarity with electrical distribution systems, backup power, and coordination with licensed electrical contractors.
• Strong knowledge of OSHA, EPA, and local environmental regulations relevant to industrial utilities.
• Experience managing preventive maintenance programs and utility-related capital projects.
• Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills across mechanical, electrical, and process systems.
• Proven ability to lead, train, and develop a technical team.
• Strong documentation and recordkeeping skills to support regulatory and audit readiness.
• Ability to respond to utility emergencies outside normal business hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel; ability to learn plant monitoring and CMMS software systems.
• Universal EPA refrigerant certification, boiler operator license, or similar utility-specific certifications a plus.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.

Physical & Work Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, and climb (ladders, platforms, mechanical rooms) for extended periods during a shift.
• Ability to work safely around high-temperature steam, pressurized systems, electrical equipment, and industrial chemicals.
• Ability to work in a facility with variable temperature and humidity conditions, including mechanical and utility rooms.
• Ability to regularly lift and move equipment or materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to respond on-site or on-call outside normal working hours in the event of a utility emergency.
• Ability to wear required PPE and comply with all plant safety requirements.