Maintenance Engineer

The Maintenance Engineer, under the direction of the Vermont Creamery Director of Operations, is responsible for all aspects of Vermont Creamery’s strategic and tactical maintenance plans in support of the overall company strategy. The engineer provides leadership and tactical engineering expertise to the overall Vermont Creamery maintenance program, ensuring alignment with Land O’Lakes corporate standards. This includes a focus on planning and implementation of maintenance enhancements that will improve productivity while assuring the highest levels of safety, quality, sanitation, and regulatory compliance. This role is responsible for the day-to-day operation and reliability of the plant production including corrective, preventative, and predictive maintenance. The Maintenance Engineer works collaboratively with the Vermont Creamery Operations, Quality, Logistics, and Safety teams to deliver value for all departments and employees. This role requires a strong leadership presence to support the needs of the maintenance department and the growing organization.  The Maintenance Engineer will be both a tactical and strategic role requiring hands-on focused improvement project execution, as well as strategic preventative maintenance program implementation.

Salary: $105k - $130k

Education & Experience

• High School degree or GED required. Associate or bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in maintenance. Preferably in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience with applied mechanical systems and controls/programming.

Competencies, Skills, & Knowledge

• Demonstrated/applied technical background in PLC, controls/programming, and electrical aptitudes.
• Demonstrated/applied technical background in mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and heating/cooling systems.
• Welding, fabrication skills and millwright proficiency to support projects and repairs of the equipment/facility. 
• Advanced troubleshooting skills with proven judgment and group facilitation and presentation skills.
• Familiar with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and safety practices.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes, and regulatory requirements, including the ability to translate internal company requirements to broad internal and external audiences.
• Inspiring leader committed to developing a high performing, cohesive, and overachieving team.
• Ability to link operation and supply chain goals with broader corporate mission goals and B Corp certification.
• Excellent communicator, influencer, and negotiator, to work cross-functionally with multiple departments and leadership levels.
• Intelligent, fast-learner, strategic and innovative thinker, agile, and comfortable with continuous change.
• Ability to think strategically and act tactically and quickly for maximum results
• Proficiency in computer and software use, including Microsoft Suite.
• Capable of leading change in a diverse business environment.
• Highly driven and self-directed.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Engineering

• Manages site assets, including facility maintenance and improvement modifications of equipment.
• Utilizes focused improvement methodologies to eliminate top machine related losses (breakdowns and minor stoppages) through root cause analysis and corrective action improvements.
• Works with the Creamery Manager and Materials Manager to ensure that corrective actions, preventive maintenance, and predictive maintenance work is completed in a timely fashion to improve plant operation including regular report out of PM and workorder completion rates.
• Assists in carrying out routine maintenance work and responds to equipment faults.
• Utilizes technician skill set to educate and train direct reports on proper maintenance techniques including breakdown and root cause analysis necessary to prevent re-occurrence.
• Oversees proper implementation and installment of new company assets.
• Diagnoses problems and manages project plans, with an aptitude for adapting to operational needs.
• Coordinates specialists from company vendors for procurement of fixtures, fittings, or components.
• Acts as liaison and controls outside contractors, as may be required, to ensure timely completion of projects and repairs.

Business Leadership

• Designs and writes maintenance strategy, procedures, and methods.
• Creates and manages preventative maintenance program for efficient production output.
• Directs the service, repair and rebuilding of all mechanical, pneumatic and electronic equipment plant wide.
• Maintains upkeep on buildings and grounds. 
• Oversees and directs the preventative maintenance program.
• Implements f-tag program for operations engagement in equipment abnormalities and corrective actions.
• Recommends enhancements to line performance to support future growth of organization.
• Ensures regulatory compliance with all safety, quality, and sanitation practices.
• Provides support and documentation of the MOC (Management of Change) Process.
• Manages maintenance budget, including spare parts inventory and small capital project initiatives.
• Handles multiple demands and balances competing priorities. Assists others in prioritization of duties.
• Responsible for the proper utilization of the Computerized Maintenance Manage System including ensuring work documentation accuracy, asset management, inventory management, workflow management, and adherence to company procurement policies.

People Leadership

• Responsible for the supervision, development, performance management, and overall leadership of the maintenance department.
• Ensures that mechanical and electrical expertise is available and scheduled according to production needs.
• Promotes safety as a lifestyle.
• Inspires management team and manufacturing staff during time of change and rapid growth via positive reinforcement, empowering talents, sharing success and broader strategies.
• Drives accountability for maintenance performance including breakdown reduction & PM/work order compliance.
• Collaborates with Operations, Maintenance, and other management throughout the Creamery as a member of the Management Extended Leadership Team (MELT) and plant operations leadership teams.
• Develops and executes training plan for maintenance workers.

• Follows all procedures, GMPs, Safety, Quality, and Sanitation plans.
• Identify and report all potentially non-conforming product and equipment to Supervisor and the Quality Assurance Department.

About Land O'Lakes, Inc.

Join us and be part of a Fortune 250, farmer- and member-owned cooperative that is reimagining the business of food. We have been named a Top Workplace by Indeed and LinkedIn, and to the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list.

Benefits for most full-time roles include medical, dental, vision, PTO, life & disability insurance, education assistance, a 401k and a variety of well-being resources. Most part-time employees are eligible for prorated PTO, holiday pay, employee development programs, prorated education assistance, and a 401(k).

Land O'Lakes, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) M/F/Vets/Disabled. The company maintains a drug-free workforce, including post-employment substance abuse testing pursuant to a Drug and Alcohol Policy.

Neither Land O’Lakes, nor its search firms, will ever contact you and ask for confidential information over the phone or in email. If you receive a call or email like this, please do not provide the information being requested.