Job Description

Assistant Plant Engineer - 1st Shift

Company: Confidential - food manufacturer

Location: Denison, IA

Compensation: $115,000 - $140,000 + bonus

Employment Type: Full-time

Schedule: 1st shift

About the Company

Our client is a food manufacturer operating a production plant in Denison, Iowa.

The Role

Reporting to the Plant Engineer, the Assistant Plant Engineer helps manage the plant's maintenance and engineering operations, keeping the building and equipment in top condition, minimizing mechanical downtime and keeping production lines running at peak efficiency.

What You Will Do

• Develop capital projects and manage them after approval, delivering on time, on budget and with minimal disruption to plant operations.
• Work with the Plant Engineer on project scheduling and execution so all projects meet safety, food safety and environmental standards.
• Lead the Maintenance Department in implementing systems aligned with high-performing manufacturing organizations, including preventive/predictive maintenance and TPM.
• Optimize resource scheduling to maximize work output, reduce unscheduled downtime and cost, and increase plant capacity and efficiency.
• Lead the maintenance team by delegating tasks, enforcing policies and assigning clear responsibilities.
• Champion plant safety through training, procedures and continuous monitoring.
• Develop and report maintenance KPIs with the Plant Engineer, including supplier effectiveness, equipment reliability and OEE.
• Lead a positive employee experience through development and coaching.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related field and 5+ years of related manufacturing experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• 2+ years of leadership experience, including team development and management
• PLC and ammonia refrigeration experience (must have)
• Food manufacturing background (required); meat or kill/harvest floor experience a plus
• Advanced mechanical and/or electrical technical skills (PLCs, instrumentation, mechanical systems)
• Thorough knowledge of maintenance systems, work order processes, preventive/predictive maintenance and TPM
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and CMMS systems
• Ability to lead resource planning in a large manufacturing environment and to use exposure monitoring equipment
• Strong critical thinking, communication, interpersonal and presentation skills
• Willingness to work long hours and weekends when required

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