Engineering & Maintenance Manager – Food & Beverage Manufacturing (Defiance, OH)
We’re partnering with a leading food & beverage manufacturer in Northwest Ohio seeking an accomplished Engineering & Maintenance Manager to drive operational performance improvements and lead the full engineering execution of a new, state-of-the-art production facility.
This role will oversee two nearby facilities, optimizing throughput and reliability in the existing plant while managing construction, installation, and startup of new high-speed beverage and dairy-based production lines. It’s an exciting opportunity for a strategic, hands-on leader to make a significant impact on both current operations and future expansion.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives to maximize equipment uptime, throughput, and efficiency in an established manufacturing facility.
- Develop and implement preventive and predictive maintenance programs to improve reliability and OEE.
- Manage full project lifecycle for a new production facility, including design review, vendor selection, utilities installation, and commissioning/startup.
- Oversee contractors, suppliers, and system integrators across mechanical, electrical, and automation scopes.
- Ensure compliance with food safety, regulatory, and safety standards (SQF, OSHA, PMO, EPA).
- Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing maintenance and engineering team across both sites.
- Partner with leadership to deliver expansion projects on time, on budget, and fully integrated with business operations.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering (or equivalent experience).
- 7+ years of maintenance or engineering leadership in food, beverage, or dairy manufacturing.
- Proven success optimizing legacy plant operations and delivering major capital projects or facility builds.
- Strong understanding of process systems (pasteurization, refrigeration, automation, utilities).
- Skilled in project management, contractor coordination, and continuous improvement (Lean/CI mindset).
- Excellent leadership, communication, and team development skills.
What’s on Offer
- A visible leadership role shaping both the modernization and expansion of a growing food manufacturing business.
- Opportunity to build and lead a multi-skilled team, implement best-in-class maintenance practices, and deliver a flagship facility launch.
- Competitive compensation package and long-term growth potential within an expanding organization.
📍Location: Defiance, OH (on-site)
