Assistant Plant Engineer

Position Summary

The Assistant Plant Engineer supports the Plant Engineer in maintaining safe, reliable, and efficient operation of all production and facility equipment within the bakery. This role assists in supervising maintenance activities, coordinating preventative and corrective maintenance programs, and supporting initiatives that improve equipment reliability, operational efficiency, and workplace safety.

Lewis Bakeries operates on a continuous production schedule. The Assistant Plant Engineer may work an alternate shift from the Plant Engineer to ensure engineering leadership coverage across operations.

Key Responsibilities

Equipment Maintenance & Troubleshooting

• Troubleshoot and repair bakery production equipment including packaging systems, conveyors, ovens, boilers, refrigeration systems, and related machinery.
• Diagnose and resolve mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and PLC-related equipment issues.
• Support equipment setup, adjustment, and operational readiness for production lines and supporting systems.
• Lead or assist with troubleshooting equipment failures impacting production performance, product quality, or safety.

Preventative & Predictive Maintenance

• Support development and execution of preventative maintenance programs for production and facility equipment.
• Ensure preventative maintenance tasks are completed accurately and on schedule.
• Utilize computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) to track maintenance activities and equipment history.
• Assist in implementing predictive maintenance initiatives such as vibration monitoring, thermal analysis, and condition-based maintenance practices.

Reliability & Continuous Improvement

• Participate in downtime analysis and root cause investigations to improve equipment reliability and performance.
• Identify opportunities to reduce equipment failures and improve operational efficiency.
• Support reliability initiatives that improve production throughput, equipment uptime, and maintenance effectiveness.

Spare Parts & Inventory Management

• Assist with maintaining appropriate inventory levels of critical spare parts and maintenance supplies.
• Coordinate with vendors and suppliers to ensure availability of essential components for equipment reliability.
• Support inventory control and parts tracking within the maintenance system.

Capital Projects & Equipment Improvements

• Support installation, commissioning, and startup of new equipment and plant upgrades.
• Assist with plant capital improvement projects and equipment modifications.
• Coordinate with engineering, maintenance, and operations teams to ensure smooth implementation of equipment improvements.

Maintenance Team Support

• Provide technical guidance and support to maintenance technicians.
• Assist with training and development of maintenance personnel on equipment maintenance procedures and best practices.
• Review maintenance documentation and work logs to ensure accuracy and completion.
• Promote teamwork, accountability, and safe work practices within the maintenance department.

Facility Maintenance & Compliance

• Assist with general facility maintenance activities and infrastructure reliability.
• Ensure equipment operation and maintenance practices comply with company safety policies and regulatory requirements, including OSHA standards.
• Maintain safe and sanitary work conditions within maintenance areas.

Engineering Documentation & Communication

• Maintain technical documentation including equipment manuals, SOPs, maintenance procedures, and engineering records.
• Communicate equipment issues, downtime events, and maintenance activities to the Plant Engineer and plant leadership.
• Coordinate maintenance work with production teams to minimize operational disruption.

Qualifications

Required

• 2–5 years of experience troubleshooting and repairing industrial machinery in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience working with hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, conveyor, refrigeration, boiler, and mechanical systems.
• PLC troubleshooting and diagnostic experience.
• Knowledge of preventative and predictive maintenance practices.
• Experience with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS).
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, mechanical drawings, and equipment documentation.
• Strong troubleshooting, communication, and organizational skills.

Preferred

• Experience in food manufacturing or bakery operations.
• Familiarity with root cause analysis and reliability improvement tools.
• Experience with maintenance planning and scheduling.

About Lewis Bakeries

Founded in 1925, Lewis Bakeries is a family-owned company producing high-quality breads, buns, and rolls under trusted brands including Bunny Bread®, Lewis Bake Shop®, and Healthy Life®. With operations across Indiana and Tennessee, we are committed to innovation, reliability, and investing in our people.

Why Join Lewis Bakeries

• Family-owned and operated since 1925
• Competitive compensation
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, 401(k), and company-paid life and disability insurance
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Growth and development opportunities

Equal Opportunity Employer

Lewis Bakeries is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Drug-Free Workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, drug screening, and reference check.

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