Director Fruit Processing Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Position Summary

We are seeking a strategic and hands-on Technical Services Manager, Engineering and Maintenance to lead engineering, maintenance, reliability, utilities, and capital project initiatives at our Grandview, WA manufacturing facility. This role is a key member of the plant leadership team and will oversee the development of a high-performing organization focused on safety, reliability, operational excellence, and continuous improvement within a 24/7 fruit processing operation.

Reporting directly to the Plant Director, this leader will drive plant performance through proactive maintenance strategies, technical leadership, infrastructure optimization, and execution of both short and long-term capital initiatives. The ideal candidate brings a strong combination of maintenance reliability expertise, engineering leadership, people development, and manufacturing operations experience within a highly regulated environment.

Where You'll Work

This role functions out of our Grandview, Washington plant location, a fruit processing manufacturing facility where you will be immersed in a dynamic workplace where innovation thrives, and collaboration is key. This position is part of the plant leadership team.

What You'll Do

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Maintenance Supervisors, Planners, Buyers, Controls Engineers, and technicians in a 24/7 manufacturing environment.
• Build a culture focused on safety, accountability, technical excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Manage hiring, employee development, performance management, succession planning, and technical training initiatives.
• Partner with plant leadership to strengthen food safety, quality, and operational discipline throughout the facility.

Maintenance & Reliability

• Lead plant maintenance and reliability strategies to improve equipment uptime, reduce unplanned downtime, and increase overall asset performance.
• Implement and sustain TPM-based continuous improvement tools including Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM), Failure Modes & Effects Analysis (FMEA), and predictive maintenance practices.
• Ensure effective maintenance planning and scheduling processes through CMMS utilization and standardized work systems.
• Analyze key plant performance metrics, including OEE, downtime, and maintenance KPIs, to identify and drive operational improvements.
• Oversee spare parts inventory management, vendor partnerships, contractor services, and maintenance resource optimization.
• Evaluate maintenance practices and implement improvements through data analysis and performance benchmarking.

Engineering & Capital Projects

• Lead the development and execution of the plant's multi-year capital plan, including project prioritization, budgeting, forecasting, and execution.
• Coordinate internal and external engineering resources to ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget, and aligned with operational goals.
• Manage equipment purchases, contractor services, and plant service agreements.
• Maintain the plant engineering library, including equipment drawings, technical documentation, and system functional descriptions.
• Drive cost savings, infrastructure modernization, and operational efficiency initiatives that support broader company strategies.
• Lead formal risk mitigation efforts on critical capital projects and operational systems.

Utilities, Infrastructure & Environmental Compliance

• Oversee plant utilities and infrastructure systems including steam generation, power distribution, ammonia refrigeration, glycol systems, cooling towers, HVAC, wastewater treatment, fire suppression, and water systems.
• Partner closely with Environmental, Health & Safety leadership to ensure compliance with environmental and process safety programs including wastewater, SPCC, air permitting, stormwater, and PSM programming.
• Support sustainability and energy-reduction initiatives across plant operations.
• Ensure plant readiness for internal and external audits and maintain compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements.

Operational Excellence

• Support plant operations through technical problem-solving, equipment reliability improvements, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Collaborate with corporate and plant teams to support Supply Chain Excellence and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure all maintenance and engineering activities align with company safety standards, SQF requirements, and food quality expectations.
• Support facility inspections, corrective actions, and continuous improvement efforts to maintain a safe and efficient workplace.

Who You Are

• As the Technical Services Leader, you are a safety- and quality-focused manufacturing leader with broad technical expertise and a proven ability to build high-performing maintenance, engineering, and technical services organizations. You thrive in fast-paced manufacturing environments and bring a strategic, hands-on approach to reliability, operational excellence, capital planning, and continuous improvement.
• You are an effective people leader who develops and mentors teams of maintenance and technical professionals, including supervisors, planners, buyers, controls engineers, and technicians. You foster a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous learning while aligning technical resources to support plant performance objectives.
• You possess deep knowledge of maintenance and reliability best practices, including TPM, RCA, RCM, FMEA, predictive maintenance, CMMS utilization, maintenance planning and scheduling, spare parts management, and contractor/vendor management. You use data and performance metrics to drive improvements in equipment reliability, uptime, OEE, and overall operational efficiency.
• You are an experienced technical leader with responsibility for plant utilities and infrastructure systems, including ammonia refrigeration, steam generation, electrical distribution, HVAC, wastewater treatment, and water systems. You understand the critical role these systems play in supporting safe, reliable manufacturing operations.
• You bring strong engineering and project management capabilities, with experience developing and executing multi-year capital plans, managing budgets and forecasts, leading infrastructure modernization initiatives, and successfully delivering complex projects from concept through implementation.
• You are a collaborative business partner who works effectively across Operations, Quality, Safety, Environmental, and Corporate Engineering functions to achieve plant goals, ensure regulatory compliance, and support operational excellence initiatives. You have a strong understanding of manufacturing operations, including processing, packaging, warehousing, chilling, waste treatment and handling, environmental compliance, boiler operations, purchasing, and the interconnected impact of these functions on overall plant performance.
• You maintain a thorough understanding of applicable safety, food safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements, including SQF, PSM, SPCC, wastewater, air permitting, and related compliance programs. You champion a culture where safety and quality are non-negotiable values and are integrated into every aspect of plant operations.
• You are a continuous improvement advocate who identifies opportunities to reduce costs, improve reliability, enhance sustainability, and drive energy reduction initiatives while supporting the plant's long-term operational strategy. You also provide leadership during audits, inspections, and corrective action activities to ensure a safe, compliant, and high-performing manufacturing environment.
• Most importantly, you partner with plant leadership to cultivate a robust culture of safety and quality built on recognition, accountability, engagement, and operational excellence.

What You'll Need

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related degree preferred or an equivalent combination of education and experience that proves competence may be considered.
• Eight (8) years of experience in food and beverage manufacturing, engineering, and maintenance
• Food manufacturing experience in juice processing, pasteurization, blending, and consumer packaging preferred, or related industry experience. Will consider other technical plant backgrounds in lieu of this experience.
• Risk management experience with PSM and ammonia refrigeration systems, or commitment to participate in training and certification within first 12 months of service required.
• Strong communication (written and verbal), interpersonal skills and negotiation skills.
• Preferred experience with environmental compliance, including demonstrated project and process management skills and at least 3 years supervisory.
• Ability to analyze and problem solve various technical related.
• Flexibility with schedule to accommodate off shift and weekend requirements, particularly during our harvest season
• Strategic leadership competencies (execution, people development, accountability, prioritization techniques).

What You'll Enjoy

• Organization with a bold, clear purpose & vision for the future
• Inclusive Culture: Be a part of an inclusive workplace where you not only belong but also have the opportunity to be the best version of yourself
• Passionate Community: You are encouraged to have a voice, share your opinions, and have individual impact on the success of the business
• Paid Time Off and Holidays: Enjoy time away from the office to rest and recharge
• Paid Volunteer Time Off: 40 hours of paid volunteer time
• Development & Advancement: Formal and informal opportunities to develop and grow your career
• Compensation Package Consisting of Competitive Base Salary and Annual Incentive Plan (Bonus)
• 401K plan with Generous Company Match
• Flexible Benefits from your first day: Choose the benefits that meet your needs and preferences
• Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Accounts
• Life and accident insurance
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Additional benefits available through Perks at Work
• Paid parental (and adoption) leave – Available after 12 months of employment

The anticipated hiring base salary range for this position is $130,000 - $140,000 annually for US-based employees. This range reflects the minimum and maximum for the position across all US locations, is based on a full-time work schedule, and is Welch's good faith estimate as of the date of this posting. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. In addition to base salary, this role is eligible for participation in a bonus plan.

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