[Remote] Plant Engineering Director (Remote) DFW/Houston TX

Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), Dairy Brands is a dairy marketing cooperative owned by more than 12,500 family farmers. They are seeking a Plant Engineering Director who will direct engineering activities to support plant requirements and divisional objectives, manage capital spending, and partner with various departments to coordinate engineering phases.

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

Skills

• 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
• 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

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

Company Overview

• Dairy Farmers of America is a milk marketing cooperative owned and served by farmers across the nation. It was founded in 1998, and is headquartered in Kansas, Illinois, USA, with a workforce of 10001+ employees. Its website is https://www.dfamilk.com/.

Company H1B Sponsorship

• Dairy Farmers of America has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships, with 2 in 2025, 6 in 2024, 1 in 2023, 2 in 2022, 2 in 2021. Please note that this does not guarantee sponsorship for this specific role.

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