Plant Engineering and Maintenance Manager

Our client, a leading manufacturer of paper packaging products for the food industry, is seeking a Plant Engineering and Maintenance Manager to own the technical and maintenance strategy for the new paper Center of Excellence. You’ll oversee everything from capital project justification and execution to long-term asset improvement planning, driving both day-to-day reliability and continuous improvement efforts. This is a pivotal leadership role where your expertise in troubleshooting, process optimization, and cross-functional team development will be critical to the plant’s success.

What's Offered:

• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) with company match, paid time off, and paid holidays. 
• A values-driven culture that prioritizes safety, integrity, innovation, and a collaborative “One Team” approach to leadership.
• Training and development programs to support your career growth
• A chance to make a meaningful impact at a new Center of Excellence

What You'll Do - Results:

• Achieve or exceed KPIs in Safety, Quality, Equipment Uptime, and Production Efficiency
• Improve equipment reliability through targeted preventive and predictive maintenance programs
• Lead and develop a high-performing maintenance and engineering team
• Drive cost-saving continuous improvement initiatives aligned with business goals
• Ensure full compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards
• Align maintenance strategies with overall plant objectives and long-term asset health
• Deliver successful plant startup and ramp-up of production lines
• Manage capital projects up to $1M with clear business justification and execution

What You Bring - Competencies:

• Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills, including FMEA, RCM, and RCA
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders at all levels, from frontline employees to senior leadership
• Demonstrated resilience and adaptability in fast-changing, dynamic manufacturing environments
• High standards, technical curiosity, and a passion for developing others
• Strategic thinker focused on medium- and long-term solutions alongside tactical issue resolution

Skills & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in engineering or related field
• Seven (7) years of engineering, facilities and/or machinery maintenance experience
• Seven (7) years of progressive supervisory experience 
• Two (2) years specific experience performing maintenance and equipment reliability
• Proven track record in plant engineering or facilities management in multi-shift operations
• Hands-on experience leading maintenance or engineering teams, preferably in paperboard converting or consumer products manufacturing
• Advanced knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems, manufacturing processes, and maintenance planning
• Expertise with PLC troubleshooting (Allen Bradley and/or Siemens preferred)
• Familiarity with Lean, TPM, or similar operational excellence programs
• Strong understanding of safety and regulatory compliance in manufacturing environments
• Experience in plant startup and ramp-up activities

Work Schedule & Travel: 

• Initial schedule will be Monday–Friday 8:00AM – 5:00PM.
  • Will transition to 24/7 operations later this year; flexibility required.
• Travel is required (up to 50%) for the first several months/throughout 2025-2026. Travel will be for onboarding, training, ongoing operational excellence and other purposes. Travel will, for the most part, take place Monday – Friday, but some weekend travel may be required.