Equipment Engineer-Manufacturing

Company Overview

Higgins Premium Pet Foods has been a trusted name in premium companion bird nutrition for more than 40 years. As part of Versele, a global leader in premium animal nutrition, we combine the agility of a small company with the strength, resources, and long-term vision of an international organization.

At Higgins, every employee has the opportunity to make a meaningful impact. We value initiative, ownership, and continuous improvement. If you enjoy working in an environment where your ideas are heard, your contributions matter, and you can help shape the future of our operations, you'll fit right in.

About the Role

We are looking for a hands-on, self-driven Maintenance Manager to take ownership of our maintenance department. You will start by running the day-to-day backbone of maintenance: coordinating work with production, managing parts and records, and being the main contact for suppliers and contractors. You will stay close to the equipment and work alongside our maintenance lead on the floor.

This role is designed to grow. As you prove yourself, your responsibilities will expand into supplier negotiation, preventive maintenance planning, budget ownership, and broader operational responsibility, with a defined path to higher pay as your scope grows. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who wants to build a maintenance function, not just work within one.

Key Responsibilities

Department Ownership

• Take ownership of the maintenance department, including its priorities, records, and results.
• Coordinate day-to-day maintenance activity with production and our maintenance lead.
• Work with production to schedule maintenance around production needs.
• Identify problems and opportunities on your own and act on them without waiting to be asked.

Hands-On Maintenance

• Troubleshoot, repair, and maintain mechanical and electrical equipment across the plant.
• Support the maintenance lead on breakdowns and repairs on the floor.
• Work on packaging machines and production equipment to keep lines running.
• Document repairs and equipment history.

Systems, Parts & Suppliers

• Manage work orders, maintenance records, and spare parts inventory.
• Track parts usage, flag reorder needs, and keep records accurate and current.
• Act as the point of contact for suppliers and outside contractors: quotes, orders, scheduling, and follow-up.

As You Grow Into the Role

• Negotiate pricing and service terms with suppliers and contractors.
• Build and run a preventive maintenance program.
• Track and manage the maintenance budget.
• Act as a backup to operations leadership and lead plant improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

Required

• College diploma or equivalent by means of working experience.
• 5 years of hands-on maintenance experience in a manufacturing or industrial plant.
• Working knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems, with the ability to diagnose and repair equipment.
• Bilingual English/Spanish: professional English (written and spoken) for supplier communication, and Spanish to work with our plant team.
• Comfortable with spreadsheets, records, and maintenance or inventory systems.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred

• Experience with packaging machines (bagging, filling, sealing, or similar).
• Technical certificate or associate degree in industrial maintenance, or equivalent training.
• Experience in food or feed manufacturing or another regulated environment (GMP/food safety).
• PLC or automation exposure.
• Experience buying from or negotiating with vendors.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who:

• Is comfortable getting into the machines and fixing problems personally.
• Is a self-starter who takes initiative rather than waiting to be asked.
• Treats the department as their own and takes responsibility for results, not just tasks.
• Is comfortable building structure and processes where little exists today.
• Enjoys working across departments and building strong relationships.
• Wants a role that gets bigger as they do, and wants to grow into a broader operations role.

Why Join Higgins?

• Be part of a company where your work has a visible impact.
• Take real ownership of a department and help shape how maintenance works at our plant.
• Grow into more responsibility, and higher pay, as you prove yourself.
• Enjoy the flexibility, autonomy, and entrepreneurial culture of a small company backed by the stability, resources, and opportunities of an international market leader.
• Get support for training and certifications.

Pay and Benefits

Pay: $60,000–$65,000 per year, depending on experience

Benefits:

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

Experience: Industrial or plant maintenance: 5 years (Required)
Work Location: In person

Salary : $60,000 - $65,000