Plant Engineering Manager

Ensign-Bickford Industries • O'Fallon, MO

3d • Onsite

About The Position

This opportunity is located within our AFB International business, the global science and technology leader in pet food palatability. We develop and produce a full range of liquid and dry palatability enhancers using high-quality ingredients proven to optimize companion animal response and consumption. Click here to learn more. Job Description Plant Engineering Manager O’Fallon, MO Build What’s Next. Lead What Matters. Are you a proven engineering leader who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment? AFB is investing heavily in the future of our O’Fallon facility—and we’re looking for a Plant Engineering Manager to lead safety, reliability, and operational excellence while shaping the next chapter of our plant’s growth. This is a high-impact leadership role where you’ll influence people, processes, and capital investments that drive long-term success.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field with 5–7 years of experience, or 15–20 years of equivalent hands-on experience.
• At least 3 years of experience leading engineering and maintenance teams in a union manufacturing environment (or strong supervisory experience with a proven development track record).
• Demonstrated success managing multi-million-dollar capital projects from concept through execution.
• Deep knowledge of maintenance best practices, root cause analysis, vendor management, and CMMS systems.
• Experience with continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean, Kaizen, or EBOS.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence across all levels—from the shop floor to senior leadership.
• Unwavering commitment to safety, compliance, and operational excellence.
• Solid financial acumen with experience managing budgets and driving cost-effective solutions.

Nice To Haves

• Engineering leadership experience in Food, Chemical, Pharma, or heavy industrial manufacturing.
• Background working in fast-paced, unionized environments.

Responsibilities

• Champion a safety-first culture, ensuring full compliance with OSHA, EPA, FDA, USDA, and environmental regulations.
• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing engineering and maintenance team in a unionized manufacturing environment.
• Drive preventive and predictive maintenance strategies using CMMS systems to maximize uptime and equipment reliability.
• Plan and execute capital and major expense projects, from budgeting and vendor management to commissioning and validation.
• Partner with plant leadership to achieve Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost (SQDC) objectives.
• Solve complex technical challenges across mechanical, electrical, and utility systems (compressed air, boilers, HVAC, water treatment).
• Develop and manage operating and capital budgets, ensuring ROI, cost control, and alignment with plant goals.

Benefits

• Be part of a growth-focused organization investing in state-of-the-art upgrades, including new production lines, boiler installations, and wastewater system modernization.
• Lead high-visibility projects that directly impact plant performance and long-term strategy.
• Work in a collaborative, team-oriented culture alongside production, quality, and safety leaders.
• Grow your career through continuous learning and development opportunities.
• Enjoy competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees