Very good opportunity with this growing company.
Compass Foods, Inc (Small meat cut and pack business in Modesto, CA). is seeking for a Plant Engineering Manager – Food Manufacturing
Position Summary
The Plant Engineering Manager is responsible for overseeing all engineering, maintenance, and facility operations within the food manufacturing plant. This position ensures the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of production equipment and facility systems while maintaining compliance with food safety, HACCP, USDA, OSHA, and company standards.
The Plant Engineering Manager leads the maintenance and engineering team, supports continuous improvement initiatives, minimizes downtime, and helps maintain operational efficiency across grinding, processing, packaging, and related manufacturing operations.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Management
- Oversee current Maintenance Manager, Maintenance Coordinator, and Department lead.
- Supervise, train, schedule, and develop a team of approximately 7 maintenance and engineering employees
- Promote a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
- Monitor employee performance and provide coaching, corrective action, and performance evaluations as needed.
- Coordinate maintenance coverage to support plant operations across shifts and weekends when necessary.
Maintenance & Engineering Operations
- Oversee preventive maintenance programs for all production and facility equipment.
- Ensure timely repair and troubleshooting of grinders, conveyors, refrigeration systems, packaging equipment, pumps, motors, and processing systems.
- Minimize production downtime through effective planning and rapid response to equipment failures.
- Manage plant utilities including electrical, compressed air, refrigeration, steam, water, and wastewater systems.
- Coordinate outside contractors and vendors for specialized repairs and projects.
Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance
- Ensure all maintenance and engineering activities comply with HACCP, USDA, GMP, OSHA, and company food safety requirements.
- Support sanitation and operational teams to maintain hygienic equipment and facility conditions.
- Participate in food safety audits, inspections, and corrective actions.
- Ensure maintenance activities do not compromise product safety or regulatory compliance.
- Assist with root cause investigations involving equipment or operational failures.
Continuous Improvement & Projects
- Identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability, production efficiency, and operational costs.
- Lead equipment upgrades, capital projects, and facility improvement initiatives.
- Develop and maintain maintenance SOPs and documentation.
- Track maintenance metrics, downtime trends, and corrective action effectiveness.
- Support production goals through process improvements and equipment optimization.
Administrative Responsibilities
- Maintain accurate maintenance records, work orders, and equipment documentation.
- Manage parts inventory and maintenance supply purchasing.
- Assist with budget planning and cost control initiatives.
- Ensure compliance with company policies and safety procedures.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Maintenance, Mechanical Engineering, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
- Minimum 10 years of maintenance or engineering leadership experience in food manufacturing or related industry.
- Experience with grinding, food processing, packaging, and production equipment preferred.
- Strong knowledge of HACCP, USDA, GMPs, OSHA, and food safety requirements.
- Experience supervising maintenance or engineering personnel.
- Strong troubleshooting, organizational, and leadership skills.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to walk production floors, climb stairs, and work around manufacturing equipment.
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.
- Ability to work in hot, cold, wet, and noisy environments typical of food manufacturing facilities.
Work Environment
This position operates in a food manufacturing environment involving raw materials, refrigerated areas, production equipment, and sanitation operations. Flexibility for weekends, overtime, and emergency call-ins may be required based on operational needs.Salary based on qualifications and experience.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $125,000.00 - $150,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Preferred)
Experience:
- Industrial Field: 10 years (Preferred)
- Management: 5 years (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
