Utilities Engineering Manager

Lactalis US Yogurt is currently seeking candidates to join our Maintenance Team.

Lactalis Group, the world leader in dairy, is a family-owned business with more than 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals worldwide, committed to providing healthy and delicious dairy products that bring people together every day. At Lactalis, our core values of AMBITION, ENGAGEMENT, and SIMPLICITY are at the heart of everything we do.

If you're looking for a unique experience with a company that offers strong brands, professional expertise, and a dynamic work environment that champions entrepreneurial spirit, hands-on responsibility, and real opportunity for career development, we want to hear from you!

At Lactalis US Yogurt, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace and we know that our candidates come from many different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. If you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job posting, we still encourage you to apply and share with us your STORY, your PASSION, and your EXPERTISE! You may be just the perfect candidate for this or other roles within our company.

From your PASSION to ours

The Utilities Engineering Manager will oversee and manage critical aspects of project management, plant utility systems, and environmental compliance. This role is responsible for creating and executing detailed project plans, ensuring alignment with business goals, maintaining quality control, and managing communication with internal and external partners. Additionally, the position drives plant utility efficiencies, supervises the Utilities Maintenance Department, and ensures optimal performance of systems such as HVAC, refrigeration, boilers, and electrical distribution while leading energy conservation efforts.

From your EXPERTISE to ours

Key responsibilities for this position include:

• Lead and execute utility projects, ensuring alignment with sustainability objectives, environmental regulations, and production requirements.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and quality standards as outlined in plant and department procedures.
• Manage the Utilities Maintenance team, including hiring, training, performance evaluations, and disciplinary actions.
• Develop and implement energy efficiency strategies to reduce costs and improve consumption.
• Collect, analyze, and report energy usage data; create and distribute KPI reports; review and approve energy-related invoices.
• Oversee the planning and implementation of a proactive maintenance program for all plant utility systems, including WWTP, ammonia refrigeration, boiler/steam systems, and air compressors.
• Provide technical oversight for environmental systems, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and supporting corporate sustainability initiatives through the management of third-party contractors.
• Ensure utility systems are staffed and operated effectively while meeting all applicable permit requirements.

From your STORY to ours

Qualified applicants will contribute the following:

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial or Mechanical Engineering preferred, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• 5+ years of utility and resource maintenance and reliability management in a manufacturing facility.
• Preferred experience in energy-intensive or highly energy-conscious manufacturing environments.
• Preferred Certifications: Wastewater Systems Certification, Boiler Operator Certification, and Ammonia Operator Certification.
• Experience with ammonia systems and Process Safety Management (PSM) for ammonia systems.
• Experience with high pressure boiler systems, operations, and regulatory compliance.
• Proven experience in ensuring a manufacturing facility's compliance with federal, state, and local safety and environmental regulations.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills to effectively prioritize and execute daily inventory and preventative maintenance tasks, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, take initiative, and establish effective processes and programs.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing team. This includes supervising, training, performance reviews, and addressing employee concerns.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and maintenance-based software systems.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills with the ability to build and maintain positive relationships across all levels of the organization.
• May require extended work hours as needed.
• Occasional travel may be required.

Physical Demands:

This position requires physical stamina, including standing, walking, lifting, reaching, stooping, kneeling, and operating machinery. Work may occur in a production environment with exposure to varying temperatures and require the use of personal protective equipment.

Work Environment:

This role operates in a mixed environment: a typical office setting with moderate noise levels, and a manufacturing environment with potential exposure to cold, wet, slippery, obstructed, and loud areas.

Lactalis is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally-recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities.