Maintenance Engineering

Plant Engineering Manager | Food Manufacturing | Topeka, KS

Location: Topeka, Kansas

Work Arrangement: Onsite

Employment Type: Full-time, permanent

Industry: Consumer Products and Food Manufacturing

Experience Level: Senior Engineering Leadership

Travel: Occasional

Relocation Assistance: Available

Visa Sponsorship: Not available

Position Overview

A global consumer-products manufacturer is seeking an experienced Plant Engineering Manager to lead engineering, maintenance and capital-project activity at its Topeka manufacturing facility.

As a member of the plant Strategic Leadership Team, this person will lead a multidisciplinary technical team, own capital and maintenance budgets, develop the five-year capital plan and improve reliability, energy management, safety, quality and manufacturing performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, develop and coach Maintenance and Project Engineers.

• Establish priorities, development plans and performance expectations.

• Partner with plant leaders to improve safety, quality, reliability and efficiency.

• Develop and manage capital and maintenance-expense budgets.

• Build and execute the five-year strategic capital plan.

• Lead capital projects from justification and planning through implementation.

• Drive plant energy-management and optimization initiatives.

• Ensure contractors comply with safety, food-safety, sanitation and quality requirements.

• Test new equipment and processes against design specifications.

• Coordinate manufacturing trials and ensure employees receive required training.

• Develop technical training for new equipment, methods and systems.

• Support Quality Assurance, food safety and GMP programs.

• Improve maintenance systems, reliability practices and asset performance.

• Manage project risks, schedules, costs, resources and vendors.

• Represent Engineering on the plant leadership team.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a closely related technical discipline.

• Significant plant-engineering, maintenance or capital-project leadership experience.

• Manufacturing experience, preferably food or consumer products.

• Experience leading engineers and technical professionals.

• Strong capital planning, budgeting and project-management skills.

• Knowledge of maintenance, reliability, utilities and energy management.

• Strong safety, quality and regulatory awareness.

• Ability to influence plant leadership and cross-functional teams.

• Ability to work onsite in Topeka.

• Current U.S. work authorization without sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Food-manufacturing and GMP experience.

• Lean, Six Sigma or continuous-improvement expertise.

• High-speed manufacturing or packaging experience.

• Professional engineering or project-management credentials.

Benefits may include medical, dental and vision insurance, retirement benefits, paid time off, incentive compensation and professional development.

Equal Opportunity

The employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers qualified applicants without discrimination based on any status protected by applicable law.

Site Security Automation Cluster Lead – Richmond, VA

Site Security Automation Cluster Lead

📍 Location: Richmond, Virginia (On-Site)
🌎 Travel: Quarterly travel to Long Island, NY (or as needed)
💼 Employment Type: Full-Time
🚚 Relocation Assistance: Available
💰 Salary: $122,000 – $167,750 + Bonus

Overview

A global manufacturing organization is seeking a Site Security Automation Cluster Lead to drive automation, digital manufacturing transformation, and operational cybersecurity across multiple manufacturing facilities.

This leadership role is responsible for automation systems, Operational Technology Networks (OTN), cybersecurity compliance, capital project execution, digital transformation initiatives, and long-term technology roadmaps. The position supports multiple manufacturing sites and serves as the primary automation and cybersecurity expert for the cluster.

Key Responsibilities

Automation & Digital Transformation

  • Develop and execute automation and digital manufacturing roadmaps.

  • Lead smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0 initiatives.

  • Drive automation upgrades, modernization projects, and digital transformation programs.

  • Improve site Digital Maturity through increased:

    • Computerization

    • Connectivity

    • Visibility

    • Transparency

    • Predictive Analytics

    • Adaptability

Cybersecurity & Infrastructure

  • Own Operational Technology Network (OTN) cybersecurity strategy.

  • Ensure compliance with corporate automation, infrastructure, and cybersecurity standards.

  • Lead disaster recovery and business continuity planning for automation systems.

  • Manage lifecycle planning and replacement of obsolete automation hardware and software.

Capital Projects & Project Management

  • Lead automation-related capital projects from concept through implementation.

  • Manage project budgets, timelines, and benefit realization.

  • Support integration of new production lines, equipment, and digital technologies.

  • Track project savings and ROI throughout project execution.

Operational Leadership

  • Serve as escalation point for automation, controls, and cybersecurity issues.

  • Collaborate with plant engineering, maintenance, operations, and IT teams.

  • Manage automation infrastructure, controls systems, and manufacturing technology platforms.

  • Support continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives.

Team & Stakeholder Management

  • Lead cross-functional project teams across multiple manufacturing sites.

  • Build automation and cybersecurity capability within the organization.

  • Partner with regional and global automation leaders on technology strategy and best practices.

  • Drive stakeholder engagement focused on process optimization, compliance, and performance improvement.

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or related technical discipline.

  • 10+ years of experience in:

    • Industrial Automation

    • Controls Engineering

    • Manufacturing Systems

    • Project Management

  • Strong experience with:

    • Industrial Control Systems (ICS)

    • Operational Technology Networks (OTN)

    • Manufacturing Cybersecurity

    • Digital Manufacturing Initiatives

Preferred Skills

✔ Industrial Automation
✔ Manufacturing Controls Systems
✔ Operational Technology Networks (OTN)
✔ Cybersecurity for Manufacturing Systems
✔ Industry 4.0 / Smart Manufacturing
✔ Capital Project Management
✔ Digital Transformation
✔ Industrial Networking
✔ Manufacturing Infrastructure
✔ Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity
✔ Continuous Improvement

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a seasoned Automation or Controls Engineering leader with strong experience managing manufacturing technology environments across multiple facilities.

They will bring:

  • Deep expertise in automation systems and industrial cybersecurity.

  • Strong project management and capital deployment experience.

  • Experience leading digital manufacturing transformation initiatives.

  • Ability to influence stakeholders across operations, engineering, maintenance, and IT.

  • Strong leadership skills with a focus on continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Candidate Snapshot

Requirement

Details

Experience

10+ Years

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Industry

Manufacturing / Food & Beverage

Seniority

Senior-Level

Travel

Quarterly Travel to NY

Location

Richmond, VA (On-Site)

Relocation

Available

Bonus

Eligible

Why Consider This Opportunity?

  • Lead automation and cybersecurity strategy across multiple manufacturing sites.

  • Drive large-scale Industry 4.0 and digital transformation initiatives.

  • High visibility role with significant impact on operational performance.

  • Strong compensation package with bonus potential.

  • Opportunity to influence the future of smart manufacturing within a global organization.

 

Maintenance Manager | Food & Beverage Manufacturing | Cherokee, OK | $131K–$150K

🏭 Maintenance Manager
🗺️
Cherokee, OK
📍 Food & Beverages Industry | Onsite
💼 Mid-Senior Level | Management
📅 Full-time | 1 Position Available

✨ Compensation: $131,000 – $150,000 (confidential if posted externally)
🚚 Relocation: Limited assistance available
❌ Visa Sponsorship: Not available

🎯 Position Purpose

The Maintenance Manager will oversee the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of maintenance practices that keep plant equipment, grounds, and production processes running efficiently. This leader will play a vital role in driving operational excellence, ensuring compliance, and fostering a culture of safety while leading the engineering and maintenance teams.

🛠️ Key Responsibilities

  • Plant Operations & Layout: Develop and optimize plant processing lines to support operational changes or expansions.

  • Safety & Compliance: Ensure strict adherence to OSHA regulations and all company safety policies.

  • Team Leadership: Equip and guide engineering and maintenance teams with the tools, training, and knowledge needed to sustain facility operations.

  • Budget & Projects: Oversee Capital and Expense Budget projects and ensure timely execution.

  • Vendor & Contractor Management: Build strong working relationships with external contractors and vendors to ensure efficient project delivery.

  • Cross-Department Collaboration: Partner closely with other departments to resolve daily operational challenges and drive plant-wide success.

  • Continuous Improvement: Identify issues proactively and lead solutions in a structured, constructive manner.

✅ Qualifications

  • Education: Associate’s degree in a relevant field (or equivalent experience).

  • Experience: 5+ years of management experience in manufacturing (meat industry experience preferred).

  • Licenses/Certifications: State Mechanical Contractor’s License.

  • Technical Expertise:

    • Strong mechanical aptitude with working knowledge of electrical & mechanical systems.

    • Basic understanding of refrigeration systems.

    • Familiarity with CAD and PLC equipment.

  • Skills:

    • Strong problem-solving and decision-making ability.

    • Excellent project and priority management.

    • Effective communicator and self-starter with leadership skills across all organizational levels.

    • Computer literacy (Excel, MS Word).

⚙️ Work Environment & Physical Demands

  • Ability to sit, stand, or walk for extended periods throughout the day.

  • Occasional lifting of up to 40 lbs with proper technique.

  • Work may require personal protective equipment (safety glasses, hearing protection, etc.).

  • Exposure to extreme temperatures (-40°F to 110°F) and high-noise environments.

📌 Why This Role?

This is a fantastic opportunity for a hands-on Maintenance Manager ready to lead in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment. You’ll take ownership of critical operations, drive continuous improvements, and make a direct impact on plant safety, efficiency, and long-term sustainability.