Maintenance Manager / Engineering Lead

Maintenance Manager / Engineering Lead – Dairy Beverage Manufacturing

Position Summary
We are seeking a highly capable Maintenance Manager / Engineering Lead to oversee maintenance operations and lead engineering initiatives for a rapidly growing dairy beverage manufacturing operation.

The primary focus of this role is supporting high-volume smoothie and drinkable yogurt production, along with cultured dairy and ice cream mix lines. This role will also play a critical part in optimizing an existing facility while leading the buildout and commissioning of a new production facility.

Key Responsibilities
Plant Maintenance & Reliability
- Lead all maintenance activities (preventive, predictive, corrective)
- Improve uptime, throughput, and equipment reliability
- Implement and manage CMMS systems
- Lead and develop maintenance team

Beverage & Processing Systems (Critical)
- Maintain and optimize:

• High-speed liquid filling lines (bottles, cartons, pouches)
• Blending and batching systems (smoothies / drinkable yogurt)
• Homogenizers and HTST/UHT systems
• Ice cream mix batching and high-fat handling systems
• - Support rapid changeovers across multiple SKUs

Operational Optimization
- Identify bottlenecks and increase plant capacity
- Improve line efficiency and reduce downtime
- Support production scaling initiatives

Capital Projects & New Facility
- Lead buildout of new plant and production lines
- Manage equipment selection, installation, and commissioning
- Coordinate contractors, vendors, and timelines
- Deliver projects on time and on budget

Utilities & Systems
- Oversee boilers, refrigeration, compressed air, and water systems
- Ensure compliance with safety and regulatory requirements

Qualifications
- 10 years in food or dairy manufacturing maintenance/engineering
- Strong experience with liquid processing and filling systems
- Experience with HTST/UHT, homogenization, and batching systems
- Proven track record in plant optimization and capital projects
- Experience with beverage or dairy processing strongly preferred

Profile We’re Looking For
- Hands-on technical leader
- Strong troubleshooting and execution mindset
- Builder optimizer (can fix current plant and build new one)
- Comfortable in fast-paced, evolving environment

Compensation
- Competitive base salary
- Performance bonus
- Equity potential

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Relocation assistance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person