We are seeking a Sr. Manager Engineering for our Kemps plant in Le Mars, IA that produces fluid milk cultured products and ice cream. In this critical maintenance leadership role, you will manage the assessment and execution of facility capital expenditures and maintenance enhancement needs with significant focus on improving productivity and minimizing labor & overhead costs. The Sr. Manager Engineering will also minimize milk, ingredient and packaging waste while assuring highest levels of safety, quality, sanitation, and regulatory compliance. The desired candidate we seek will have years of experience working in a food manufacturing environment with hands-on technical skills in maintenance and electrical machinery.

Kemps is a farmer-owned brand of Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), a dairy marketing cooperative owned by more than 12,500 family farmers. Our mark matters and it represents the wholesomeness of dairy that we share with our communities and loved ones. DFA manufactures a variety of dairy products, including cheese, butter, fluid milk, ice cream, dairy ingredients and more, under well-known and established regional brands. Our fingerprints touch thousands of brands across the marketplace, and we are passionate about delivering the simple pleasures of dairy to people everywhere, straight from our family farm-owners. At Kemps, we create fluid milk and cream and are proud to provide families with fresh, delicious dairy.

By joining DFA, you can help us continue to make a difference that matters. We care deeply about the well-being of our neighbors and friends, and we celebrate the diversity of our company and our world. It takes an incredible team to deliver the goodness of dairy and enrich our communities - come join us!

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Ensure mechanical and electrical expertise is available to production and other departments to maintain production systems, utilities, buildings, and grounds in a 24-hour 7-day per week operation.
• Collaborate with plant management and corporate staff to utilize equipment to improve employee safety, production quality, equipment reliability and overall equipment effectiveness utilizing Continuous Improvement techniques and a Management Operating Structure (MOS).
• Design and commission capital projects to include the presentation of the project scope and the achievement of on-time and on-budget goals.
• Utilize a computerized maintenance management system to optimize asset utilization through scheduled preventative maintenance.
• Develop, report, and analyze key maintenance performance indicators to create and implement corrective actions.
• Remain current with latest and emerging industry regulations and codes relative to mechanical and electrical systems design and operation.
• Ensure corporate policies and standards are followed in both capital project implementation as well as daily maintenance.
• Share best practices within the Maintenance Department.
• Promote a safe and environmentally sound workplace that complies with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Provide management of employees directly or through supervisors to ensure effective selection, retention, development, disciplinary action, and performance management. If a collective bargaining agreement exists, may participate in negotiations, grievances or other contract related activities and discussions.
• Cooperate in a cross-functional manner as a change agent with all departments within the Company.

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline strongly preferred. Will consider years of experience in lieu of a degree.
• 8+ years of experience in an engineering capacity. Dairy industry experience preferred; experience in the food/beverage industry is required.
• A minimum of 5 years' experience supervising or managing teams.
• Union (for union facilities), Safety, and Workers Compensation experience preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Inventory Management Systems and CMMS.
• Experience managing capital projects is required.
• Experience leading and following Safety/Security Policies and Procedures.
• HVAC, Electrical (motor control circuitry up to 480V 3-phrase), Boiler, etc. experience required.
• Experience with CMMS to optimize asset utilization through scheduled preventative maintenance is required.
• Experience working with ammonia refrigeration systems required.
• Experience working with food manufacturing equipment, i.e., filling machines, blow mold machines, air compressors, conveyors.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Ability to follow all Sanitation and Quality Policies and Procedures, and report and follow through on any deficiencies.
• Ability to follow Continuous Improvement (CI) Processes in the Management Operating Structure (MOS).
• Excellent verbal/written communication skills.
• Ability to adapt to changing organizational and operational needs; ability to lead others through change.
• Ability to manage multiple and simultaneous priorities and prioritize a heavy workload in a fast paced, dynamic environment.
• Skill in organization and prioritization, and attention to detail.
• Strong team player and leader with the ability to work across multiple functions and disciplines.
• Ability to select, coach, develop, engage, and retain a team of employees.

Benefits:

• Health and Welfare benefits begin 1^st of the month after start date.
• 401(k) with company contribution
• Competitive pay
• 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

An Equal Opportunity Employer