Plant Engineering Director

Plant Engineering Director (Remote)Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), Dairy Brands, a dairy marketing cooperative owned by more than 12,500 family farmers, is looking for a Plant Engineering Director (Remote) position. 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. We are proud to provide families with fresh delicious dairy products.As the position is remote, the Plant Engineering Director will travel 60-70% and will support our Southwest Region. The preferred candidate should reside in the DFW area and/or Houston, TX.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 ResponsibilitiesServe as an internal expert on manufacturing engineering and design related issues or opportunitiesWork cross-functionally with plant management and engineers to develop priorities that ensure direct alignment with manufacturing and division objectivesContinually 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 efficienciesUtilize best practices across locations to drive continuous improvement for equipment reliability and maintenance department cost controls; drive consistency and standardizationAssist in the direction and planning of capital budgetsEvaluate major capital projects to ensure the best approach and method is used to efficiently spend capital fundsActively support plant management and engineers in the justification of projects, accurate development of project costs, and submission of capital projectsLead 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 regionComplete preliminary and final design of production lines and new equipmentDevelop preliminary cost estimates for production of new or modified products for marketing and sales teamsProfessionally develop plant engineers and maintenance managersEncourage positive cross-functional communication between production and engineering teamsMaintain current and broad knowledge to ensure accurate engineering support to management and plant staffEnsure all plant environmental policies and procedures reflect current DFA guidelines and regulatory requirements and proper reporting is completedFollow all DFA good manufacturing practices (GMP) and work in a manner consistent with all corporate regulatory, food safety, quality, and sanitation requirementsThe 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 date401(k) with company contribution 100% vested at day one of eligibilityCompetitive pay ($165,000 - $195,000)Paid vacation and holidaysCareer growth opportunities we promote from withinComprehensive healthcare benefitsService recognition and employee rewardsEmployee referral programTuition reimbursementWork for dairy farm families