Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), Dairy Brands a dairy marketing cooperative owned by more than 12,500 family farmers. Our mark matters and it represents the wholesomeness of dairy that we share with our communities and loved ones. DFA manufactures a variety of dairy products, including cheese, butter, fluid milk, ice cream, dairy ingredients and more, under well-known and established regional brands. Our fingerprints touch thousands of brands across the marketplace, and we’re passionate about delivering the simple pleasures of dairy to people everywhere, straight from our family farm-owners. We are proud to provide families with fresh delicious dairy products.

By joining DFA, Dairy Brands you can help us continue to make a difference that matters. We care deeply about the well-being of our neighbors and friends, and we celebrate the diversity of our company and our world. It takes an incredible team to deliver the goodness of dairy and enrich our communities - come join us!

Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), Dairy Brands has an opening for a Plant Engineering Director (Remote) position. As the position is (Remote), the Plant Engineering Director will travel 60-70% and support our Central Region. The preferred candidate should reside in Minnesota.

TRAVEL: 60-70%

Direct engineering activities in support of current and future plant requirements and short- and long-range divisional objectives. Provide engineering and design expertise to plant engineers, management, and senior leadership. Manage capital spending, major plant repair expenses, and development of capital projects. Partner with operations, finance, quality control, purchasing, safety, environmental, and other departments to coordinate all phases of engineering. Support multiple plants for an entire division, group, or region.

Job Duties And Responsibilities

Serve as an internal expert on manufacturing engineering and design related issues or opportunities
Work cross-functionally with plant management and engineers to develop priorities that ensure direct alignment with manufacturing and division objectives
Continually strive to reduce facility and manufacturing operating costs by providing best option technical solutions and/or utilizing best method analyses towards improving internal systems; ensure facility operating systems achieve optimum manufacturing process efficiencies
Utilize best practices across locations to drive continuous improvement for equipment reliability and maintenance department cost controls; drive consistency and standardization
Assist in the direction and planning of capital budgets
Evaluate major capital projects to ensure the best approach and method is used to efficiently spend capital funds
Actively support plant management and engineers in the justification of projects, accurate development of project costs, and submission of capital projects
Lead and/or oversee the planning, design, procurement, installation, start-up, and training for all capital projects, especially for projects that span an entire division, group, or region
Complete preliminary and final design of production lines and new equipment
Develop preliminary cost estimates for production of new or modified products for marketing and sales teams
Professionally develop plant engineers and maintenance managers
Encourage positive cross-functional communication between production and engineering teams
Maintain current and broad knowledge to ensure accurate engineering support to management and plant staff
Ensure all plant environmental policies and procedures reflect current DFA guidelines and regulatory requirements and proper reporting is completed
Follow all DFA good manufacturing practices (GMP) and work in a manner consistent with all corporate regulatory, food safety, quality, and sanitation requirements
The requirements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employee, but is not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Other duties may be assigned as required.

Benefits:

Health and Welfare benefits begin 1st of the month after start date
401(k) with company contribution - 100% vested at day one of eligibility
Competitive pay ($165,000 - $195,000)
Paid vacation and holidays
Career growth opportunities - we promote from within!
Comprehensive healthcare benefits
Service recognition and employee rewards
Employee referral program
Tuition reimbursement
Work for dairy farm families

Undergraduate degree in engineering or related curriculum or technical training in related mechanical or electrical studies (or equivalent combination of education and experience)
10 or more years of progressive engineering, maintenance, or related experience in a food manufacturing environment that includes team or project leadership experience, environmental compliance experience, PLC programming, and capital project and budget management experience
Certification and/or License - may be required during course of employment

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

Strong knowledge of architectural, mechanical, electrical, and process production engineering
Able to lead multiple and complex projects or initiatives
Excellent analytical and problem solving skills
Strong skill in critical thinking, analysis, mathematical calculations, and statistical evaluations
Able to consider both strategic and practical implications for proposed course of action
Able to communicate and translate complex technical topics into easy to understand concepts
Able to establish effective relationships and independently manage those relations with all levels of internal staff and external customers, business partners, and vendors
Able to handle challenging or conflict situations with tact and professionalism
Able to effectively lead others through change
Must be able to read, write and speak English

Reporting to this Position

None

TRAVEL: 60-70%

An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans

Dairy Farmers of America jobs

Plant Engineering Director (Remote) - Minnesota

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