Head of Maintenance & Engineering - Poultry Processing

Position Summary

The Head of Maintenance & Engineering is responsible for leading all maintenance, reliability, and engineering functions within a poultry processing facility (live receiving, evisceration, further processing, packaging, and utilities). This role oversees equipment performance, facility infrastructure, capital projects, and technology improvements to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant operations. The leader directs a skilled team of maintenance managers, technicians, engineers, and contractors to optimize equipment uptime, minimize downtime, and support long-term plant growth and sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

Maintenance Leadership & Reliability Management

• Direct all preventative, predictive, and corrective maintenance activities across the plant.

• Develop and execute a comprehensive maintenance strategy to maximize equipment reliability and minimize downtime.

• Oversee maintenance planning and scheduling (CMMS) for mechanical, electrical, refrigeration (RTE), boiler, and wastewater systems.

• Ensure adherence to life-safety and OSHA standards for mechanical and electrical systems.

Engineering & Capital Projects

• Lead engineering initiatives including equipment installations, line modifications, facility upgrades, and automation improvements.

• Manage the development, approval, and execution of capital expenditure (CAPEX) projects.

• Partner with corporate engineering teams, equipment suppliers, and contractors to deliver projects on time and within budget.

• Conduct feasibility studies and ROI analyses for process improvements or expansions.

Regulatory, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure all maintenance, utilities, and engineering operations comply with USDA, FDA, OSHA, EPA, and local regulatory standards.

• Oversee proper operation and documentation of critical plant systems such as ammonia refrigeration, boilers, wastewater pretreatment, and HVAC.

• Partner with Safety and Food Safety teams to maintain a safe working environment and support root-cause investigations.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop maintenance and engineering managers, supervisors, technicians, and support staff.

• Build workforce skills through training programs for PLCs, robotics, electrical systems, mechanical troubleshooting, and preventive maintenance.

• Foster a high-performance culture with accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Utilize Lean, TPM, and Six Sigma methodologies to improve equipment efficiency and reduce unplanned downtime.

• Review downtime data, maintenance KPIs, and reliability metrics to identify systemic issues and implement long-term solutions.

• Support production teams by resolving equipment bottlenecks and improving line speed, throughput, and yield.

• Lead initiatives to reduce energy usage, enhance sustainability, and improve utility system efficiency.

Budgeting & Inventory Management

• Manage maintenance and engineering budgets, including labor, parts, supplies, contractors, and capital.

• Oversee spare parts inventory, vendor relationships, and procurement processes.

• Drive cost reduction strategies without sacrificing safety or reliability.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial Engineering, or related field required; advanced degree preferred.

• 10+ years of maintenance/engineering experience in food manufacturing; poultry processing strongly preferred.

• 5+ years in a senior leadership role managing large technical teams.

• Experience with ammonia refrigeration (RETAs), boilers, hydraulics, pneumatics, and high-speed processing equipment.

Technical Skills

• Strong expertise with CMMS systems, predictive maintenance tools, and reliability-focused maintenance strategies.

• Thorough understanding of USDA, OSHA, PSM (Process Safety Management), environmental regulations, and food safety requirements.

• Demonstrated experience with automation, PLCs, robotics, SCADA systems, and line controls.

• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, schematics, and technical manuals.