Director of Maintenance & Capital Projects

Job Title: Director of Maintenance & Capital Projects
Location: Mishawaka
Reports To: Director of Business
Department: Operations
FLSA Status: Exempt

About United Petfood:

United Petfood is a private label producer of high-quality dry & wet pet food, biscuits and snacks. We are a Belgian family business with 25 high-tech pet kitchens in Europe and the US.

Joining us, means joining an international, passionate and driven team with one common goal: a healthy planet filled with healthy pets! But it doesn’t stop there: we truly care about building encouraging, supportive, long-lasting partnerships, both inside as well as outside of our fast-growing family company. By only working with the very best ingredients and most innovative technology available, we ensure a spot in which you can grow, bloom and make thousands of pets happy worldwide!

Position Summary:

The Director of Maintenance & Capital Projects is a key strategic and operational leader responsible for all aspects of plant maintenance, engineering, and capital project execution for the Mishawaka facility. This role oversees maintenance reliability, asset management, engineering design, and long-term capital planning.

The Director will lead the full lifecycle of a multi-year, capital improvement project—including new building construction, equipment installation, infrastructure upgrades, and food safety improvements-while also ensuring the plant’s 24/7 maintenance operations run safely, efficiently, and in compliance with all regulatory standards.

This role is accountable for developing technical capability within the team, maximizing equipment reliability, embedding continuous improvement practices, and ensuring the highest levels of safety, quality, regulatory compliance, and productivity.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Capital Project Leadership (Engineering & Construction)
• Lead the strategic planning, scheduling, forecasting, and execution of large-scale capital projects, including a multi-year site expansion.
• Translate project requirements into detailed scope, timelines, resource plans, and deliverables.
• Manage engineering, construction, contractors, and technical disciplines throughout project lifecycle.
• Develop project specifications, design reviews, quality control protocols, commissioning plans, and cost estimates.
• Ensure all capital projects are completed on time, on budget, and in compliance with safety, regulatory, and food safety standards.
• Conduct regular meetings with stakeholders to communicate progress, risks, and solutions.
• Respond promptly to project-related issues, concerns, or customer needs.

Maintenance & Reliability Leadership:

• Oversee all mechanical, electrical, and utilities systems across the 24/7 operation, ensuring maximum uptime and safe performance.
• Provide leadership and direction to the Maintenance team (Maintenance Supervisor, Technicians, Process Engineers, Controls Engineers).
• Ensure availability of technical expertise to support production, utilities, buildings, and grounds.
• Drive best-practice maintenance strategies including preventive, predictive, and autonomous maintenance.
• Lead long-term asset management, equipment lifecycle planning, and reliability improvement initiatives.
• Utilize the operational system and technologies to optimize maintenance performance and documentation.

Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence:

• Drive key initiatives that improve equipment reliability, OEE, line performance, safety, and product quality.
• Lead Value Stream Mapping, Lean processes, and root-cause problem solving to eliminate bottlenecks and inefficiencies.
• Identify and implement improvements with and without capital investment.
• Standardize maintenance processes, procedures, and system utilization across the plant.

Leadership, People Development & Change Management:

• Select, develop, and mentor high-performing technical and maintenance teams.
• Provide coaching, performance management, and capability-building for staff.
• Serve as a change agent who drives engagement, accountability, and continuous learning.

Safety, Quality & Food Safety Compliance:

• Ensure all engineering and maintenance activities meet regulatory, safety, and GMP standards.
• Complete and verify safety and food safety system documentation.
• Maintain audit readiness and support continuous improvement of the BRC system.
• Immediately report and address any safety, quality, or food safety deviations.

Other Responsibilities:

• Oversee contract administration and vendor management for capital and maintenance services.
• Manage departmental budgets, including labor, overhead, maintenance, and capital.
• Support plant layout and design for future growth and optimal material flow.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical field required.
• 7–10+ years of progressive engineering and maintenance experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Minimum 3–5 years in a leadership or management role.
• Experience in food manufacturing strongly preferred.
• Proven experience leading large-scale capital projects (construction & equipment installation).

Technical Skills & Competencies:

• Strong knowledge of mechanical systems, electrical systems, utilities, automation, and material handling equipment.
• Demonstrated skill in project management, engineering design, and contractor oversight.
• Advanced ability in Microsoft Office and maintenance/project management software.
• Working knowledge of GMPs, FDA, OSHA, and food safety regulatory requirements.
• Strong financial acumen and experience managing budgets and capital plans.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to balance long-term planning with day-to-day operational needs.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to influence and collaborate across cross-functional teams.
• Commitment to innovation, continuous improvement, and exceeding expectations.

Work Environment:

• This position operates in both an office and manufacturing plant environment.
• Must be able to wear required PPE and work in temperature-variable, noisy, and industrial environments.

Equal Opportunity Employer: United Petfood Producers USA Inc. is an equal opportunity workplace. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.