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 committed to delivering quality dairy products. The Plant Engineering Director will oversee engineering activities to support plant operations, manage capital projects, and ensure efficient manufacturing processes across multiple plants in the Southwest Region. 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 arenaflex 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 arenaflex 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 • The preferred candidate should reside in DFW area and/or Houston TX 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 Company H1B Sponsorship • Dairy Farmers of America has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships, with 3 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. Apply tot his job