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Senior Manager of Engineering

The Legal Aid Society.com

Office

Belvidere, IL, United States

Full Time

GENERAL PURPOSE

Oversee and manage all aspects of the engineering and maintenance functions and staff within the plant(s). Lead a team of

engineers and maintenance managers/supervisors to ensure the plant's smooth operation, optimizing productivity and

maintaining the facility's infrastructure and equipment. Develop and execute plans to support current and future plant

requirements and develop systems in critical areas such as preventative maintenance, spare parts inventories, and work

order systems. Work closely with plant management and plant employees and serve as a liaison with DFA enterprise wide

functional departments. Ensure best practices in all maintenance activities.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Manage all aspects of the engineering and maintenance functions, including the direct management of engineers

and maintenance managers/supervisors. Provide direction, guidance, and support, fostering a positive work

environment and promoting professional development

Ensure the site has an effective predictive/preventive maintenance program which has a maintenance strategy for

all assets to remove unscheduled down time, increase the lifespan of assets by keeping them in optimal condition,

and contain maintenance strategies so assets are timely maintained to minimize costs of asset breakdowns

Oversee preventative maintenance programs for the facility, electrical distribution, plant utility systems, architecture,

process instrumentation, and all production machinery and equipment through assigned staff and outside

contractors to support sustained plant operations and maximize operational efficiency

Collaborate with senior management to identify and prioritize capital improvement projects. Recommend expense

or capital projects which are necessary or will improve productivity, safety, or operational efficiency

Oversee the design, planning, and execution of capital and expense projects, ensuring they meet budget and

timeline as defined

Partner with others regarding the resolution of ongoing or escalated problems, the implementation of new

procedures or process, the introduction of new equipment installation and layout, and products or product lines

Perform replacement analysis of equipment considering space costs, depreciation, service life, and maintenance

costs; advise production management of information and recommend appropriate actions

Ensure good business communication practices at all levels to ensure key stakeholders are well informed and can

appropriately respond as needed

Ensure all process changes, equipment changes, or product changes are understood by affected employees in a

timely fashion. Engage and interact with staff on a regular basis assisting them with their concerns and questions

Source and evaluate vendors, contractors, and suppliers to obtain quality products and services at competitive

prices. Negotiate contracts and agreements with external parties as necessary

Develop and utilize maintenance key performance indicators (KPI) to drive improvements to plant reliability. Drive

continuous improvement initiatives to optimize plant operations and reduce waste

Identify opportunities to implement new technologies, processes, and methodologies to enhance plant performance

Conduct or coordinate regular safety inspections, risk assessments, and safety training programs

Generate reports on plant performance, maintenance activities, and project updates for management review

Maintain accurate documentation of maintenance records, engineering plans, and compliance documentation

Prepare and manage the department's budget, ensuring cost-effective allocation of resources

Manage assigned employees, including recruitment, scheduling, development, evaluation, performance

management, and career development; hold self and employees accountable for results

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

Qualifications
  • EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
  • Undergraduate degree in engineering or related curriculum or technical training in related mechanical or electrical
  • studies (or equivalent combination of education and experience)
  • 8 or more years of engineering or maintenance experience in a food manufacturing environment that includes 1+
  • year of management 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 leadership and team management skills with the ability to motivate and guide a diverse team
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes and equipment, along with a strong understanding of plant
manufacturing or industrial regulations and safety protocols
• Knowledge of architectural, mechanical, electrical, and process production engineering
• Knowledge of continuous improvement (CI) tools and ability to use CI tools in projects
• Strong organizational, planning, execution, and follow through skills
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities
• Skill in critical thinking, analysis, mathematical calculations, and statistical evaluations
• Ability to develop scope, schedule, budget, and lead plant capex projects
• Able to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, for a diverse range of internal and external
audiences
• Able to work in collaboration effectively and foster good teamwork
• Able to handle challenging or conflict situations with tact and professionalism
• Able to adapt and manage to change effectively
• Must be able to read, write and speak English

An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans

Senior Manager of Engineering

Office

Belvidere, IL, United States

Full Time

October 11, 2025

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The Legal Aid Society

LegalAidNYC