Chief Engineer

Maola Local Dairies•Hampton, VA

69d•Onsite

About The Position

This role is responsible for leading and overseeing all maintenance operations within the plant, ensuring the safe, efficient, and reliable functioning of equipment, machinery, and facility infrastructure. This role manages a team of maintenance professionals and works cross-functionally with other departments to support continuous production, utility systems, and facility upkeep.

Requirements

High School Diploma or Equivalent
Minimum 8 years experience in maintenance, equipment repair, or a related field
Minimum 6 years of supervisory or leadership experience in an industrial or manufacturing environment.
Minimum 5 years experience with Preventative Maintenance Programs and CMMS Systems.

Nice To Haves

Technical Degree Preferred
Associates or Undergraduate Degree Preferred
Experience in dairy processing technologies and food safety standards preferred.
Experience in NH3 (Ammonia) refrigeration and wastewater pretreatment preferred.
Minimum 5 years of experience troubleshooting and repairing PLCs, VFDs, and industrial electrical systems preferred.
Minimum 5 years of advanced Microsoft Excel experience, including reporting, KPI tracking, data analysis, and budgeting preferred.

Responsibilities

Directs and coordinates the work of employees involved in the repair, maintenance, and installation of machinery, tools, and equipment, as well as the maintenance of buildings and grounds.
Oversees the preventive maintenance program, including its development, scheduling, and completion.
Ensures compliance with all applicable safety rules and company policies; sets a positive example for safety leadership.
Reviews and prioritizes work orders to ensure timely and effective completion.
Responsible for the development and management of the annual repair and maintenance budget, including monthly performance tracking.
Leads capital projects from start to finish – including bid collection, capital request submissions, project tracking, and completion timelines.
Maintains the maintenance shop, parts storage, and support equipment areas in a clean, organized, and safe condition.
Coordinates repair, maintenance, and installation activities to ensure minimal disruption to production operations.
Oversees maintenance of utility systems to provide consistent and safe delivery of heat, steam, power, gas, and compressed air.
Leads continuous improvement initiatives related to maintenance, reliability, and equipment optimization.
Actively supports waste reduction efforts, including decreasing machine downtime and improving throughput.
Facilitate cross-shift and departmental communication through shift handoffs, in-person pass-downs, and routine shift meetings.
Requisitions necessary tools, equipment, and supplies to support operational needs.
Participates in plant and operational performance reviews and metric-driven evaluations.
Must be available on-call to respond to maintenance emergencies during off-shifts, including weekends and holidays.