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Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. · 4 months ago

Assistant Director of Engineering

Lancaster, NY

Full-time

Onsite

Mid, Senior Level

$136K/yr - $176K/yr

5+ years exp

Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. is one of America’s largest and most stable dairy cooperatives, owned by over 200 local family farms. They are seeking an experienced Assistant Director of Engineering to oversee engineering operations at their dairy food manufacturing plant, ensuring safe and efficient functioning of all systems while driving continuous improvements in plant operations.

Consumer GoodsDairyFood and BeverageManufacturing

H1B Sponsor Likely

Responsibilities

Assist in the strategic planning and execution of engineering projects and capital projects within the plants

Lead and mentor the engineering team, providing technical support, training, and development to engineering staff

Collaborate with the Director of Engineering in managing plant engineering activities, including preventive maintenance, capital improvement projects, and troubleshooting

Supervise the plant’s preventive maintenance program to ensure machinery and equipment operate at optimal levels

Assist in the identification and elimination of production inefficiencies, machine downtime, and safety hazards

Manage and prioritize engineering work orders, ensuring timely completion of maintenance tasks and adherence to industry standards

Coordinate and oversee engineering projects, including equipment installation, upgrades, and modifications to support plant goals

Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in compliance with safety and regulatory standards

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to assess project needs and integrate engineering solutions that improve production capacity and quality

Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, including OSHA and food safety standards

Promote a culture of safety by enforcing best practices and ensuring all engineering team members are trained on safety protocols

Assist in the preparation for safety audits and inspections

Assist in the development and management of the engineering department’s budget

Identify opportunities to reduce operational costs without compromising quality or safety standards

Evaluate and recommend the purchase of new equipment or technologies to improve plant operations

Work closely with the operations, quality, and production teams to resolve engineering-related issues

Participate in weekly plant operations meetings to provide engineering updates and discuss ongoing projects

Communicate effectively with vendors and contractors to ensure quality standards and deadlines are met

Assist in the identification and implementation of continuous improvement initiatives (Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, etc.) to enhance plant efficiency

Stay current with the latest industry trends and technological advances in manufacturing and engineering

Qualification

Engineering degreeManufacturing experienceProject managementCMMS familiarityLeadership experienceContinuous improvementSafety complianceProblem-solving skillsTeam management skillsCommunication skills

Required

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Chemical or related field)

5+ years of experience in an engineering role within a manufacturing or industrial environment, preferably in the food or dairy industry

2+ years of supervisory or leadership experience

Proven experience managing maintenance programs, engineering projects, and cross-functional teams

Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, plant operations, and food safety regulations

Strong leadership and team management skills

Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills, with a focus on minimizing downtime and production delays

Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities effectively

Familiarity with CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Systems) and maintenance planning

Working knowledge of dairy manufacturing processes and related equipment

Preferred

Master's degree

Project Management Professional (PMP) certification

Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing certifications

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Benefits

Participation in group health and/or dental insurance

Retirement plan

Wellness program

Paid time away from work

Paid holidays

Company

Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc.

A cooperative of about 260 family-owned farms, Upstate Niagara is a food and beverage company that has been producing award-winning, high-quality dairy products since 1971.

Founded in 1971

Lancaster, New York, USA

1001-5000 employees

https://uncdairy.com

H1B Sponsorship

Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)

Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship

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Trends of Total Sponsorships

2025 (1)