Job Description
Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), Dairy Brands is a dairy marketing cooperative owned by more than 12,500 family farmers. They are seeking a Plant Engineering Director who will direct engineering activities to support plant requirements and divisional objectives, manage capital spending, and partner with various departments to coordinate engineering phases. Responsibilities • Serve as an internal expert on manufacturing engineering and design related issues or opportunities • Work cross-functionally with plant management and engineers to develop priorities that ensure direct alignment with manufacturing and division objectives • Continually strive to reduce facility and manufacturing operating costs by providing best option technical solutions and/or utilizing best method analyses towards improving internal systems; ensure facility operating systems achieve optimum manufacturing process efficiencies • Utilize best practices across locations to drive continuous improvement for equipment reliability and maintenance department cost controls; drive consistency and standardization • Assist in the direction and planning of capital budgets • Evaluate major capital projects to ensure the best approach and method is used to efficiently spend capital funds • Actively support plant management and engineers in the justification of projects, accurate development of project costs, and submission of capital projects • Lead and/or oversee the planning, design, procurement, installation, start-up, and training for all capital projects, especially for projects that span an entire division, group, or region • Complete preliminary and final design of production lines and new equipment • Develop preliminary cost estimates for production of new or modified products for marketing and sales teams • Professionally develop plant engineers and maintenance managers • Encourage positive cross-functional communication between production and engineering teams • Maintain current and broad knowledge to ensure accurate engineering support to management and plant staff • Ensure all plant environmental policies and procedures reflect current DFA guidelines and regulatory requirements and proper reporting is completed • Follow all DFA good manufacturing practices (GMP) and work in a manner consistent with all corporate regulatory, food safety, quality, and sanitation requirements • The requirements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employee, but is not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Other duties may be assigned as required Skills • Undergraduate degree in engineering or related curriculum or technical training in related mechanical or electrical studies (or equivalent combination of education and experience) • 10 or more years of progressive engineering, maintenance, or related experience in a food manufacturing environment that includes team or project leadership experience, environmental compliance experience, PLC programming, and capital project and budget management experience • Certification and/or License - may be required during course of employment • Strong knowledge of architectural, mechanical, electrical, and process production engineering • Able to lead multiple and complex projects or initiatives • Excellent analytical and problem solving skills • Strong skill in critical thinking, analysis, mathematical calculations, and statistical evaluations • Able to consider both strategic and practical implications for proposed course of action • Able to communicate and translate complex technical topics into easy to understand concepts • Able to establish effective relationships and independently manage those relations with all levels of internal staff and external customers, business partners, and vendors • Able to handle challenging or conflict situations with tact and professionalism • Able to effectively lead others through change • Must be able to read, write and speak English Benefits • Health and Welfare benefits begin 1st of the month after start date • 401(k) with company contribution - 100% vested at day one of eligibility • Competitive pay ($165,000 - $195,000) • Paid vacation and holidays • Career growth opportunities - we promote from within! • Comprehensive healthcare benefits • Service recognition and employee rewards • Employee referral program • Tuition reimbursement • Work for dairy farm families Company Overview • Dairy Farmers of America is a milk marketing cooperative owned and served by farmers across the nation. It was founded in 1998, and is headquartered in Kansas, Illinois, USA, with a workforce of 10001+ employees. Its website is Company H1B Sponsorship • Dairy Farmers of America has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships, with 2 in 2025, 6 in 2024, 1 in 2023, 2 in 2022, 2 in 2021. Please note that this does not guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Apply tot his job