Plant Engineering Manager
Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense · O'Fallon
We make pet food taste great! For over 30 years, AFB International has been providing pet food solutions that enrich the lives of pets and their people. Our palatants are specially designed to make pet foods, treats and supplements taste better, ensuring pets receive the vital nutrients they need. We know wagging tails, licking whiskers and empty bowls equal happy pets and happy pet parents. Join AFB and you'll be a part of a team of highly skilled professionals that provide the greatest contribution to our success as an organization. Our team members are diverse, creative, passionate experts who are genuinely dedicated to our mission, our customers, and the pets we serve worldwide.
Job Description
Plant Engineering Manager
O’Fallon, MO
Build What’s Next. Lead What Matters.
Are you a proven engineering leader who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment? AFB is investing heavily in the future of our O’Fallon facility—and we’re looking for a Plant Engineering Manager to lead safety, reliability, and operational excellence while shaping the next chapter of our plant’s growth.
This is a high-impact leadership role where you’ll influence people, processes, and capital investments that drive long-term success.
What You’ll Do
As Plant Engineering Manager, you’ll serve as a strategic and hands-on leader, responsible for plant reliability, safety, and continuous improvement:
Champion a safety-first culture, ensuring full compliance with OSHA, EPA, FDA, USDA, and environmental regulations.
Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing engineering and maintenance team in a unionized manufacturing environment.
Drive preventive and predictive maintenance strategies using CMMS systems to maximize uptime and equipment reliability.
Plan and execute capital and major expense projects, from budgeting and vendor management to commissioning and validation.
Partner with plant leadership to achieve Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost (SQDC) objectives.
Solve complex technical challenges across mechanical, electrical, and utility systems (compressed air, boilers, HVAC, water treatment).
Develop and manage operating and capital budgets, ensuring ROI, cost control, and alignment with plant goals.
What We’re Looking For
We’re seeking a confident leader with strong technical expertise and people-development skills:
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field with 5–7 years of experience, or 15–20 years of equivalent hands-on experience.
At least 3 years of experience leading engineering and maintenance teams in a union manufacturing environment (or strong supervisory experience with a proven development track record).
Demonstrated success managing multi-million-dollar capital projects from concept through execution.
Deep knowledge of maintenance best practices, root cause analysis, vendor management, and CMMS systems.
Experience with continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean, Kaizen, or EBOS.
Strong communication skills with the ability to influence across all levels—from the shop floor to senior leadership.
Unwavering commitment to safety, compliance, and operational excellence.
Solid financial acumen with experience managing budgets and driving cost-effective solutions.
Preferred Experience
Engineering leadership experience in Food, Chemical, Pharma, or heavy industrial manufacturing.
Background working in fast-paced, unionized environments.
Why Join AFB?
Be part of a growth-focused organization investing in state-of-the-art upgrades, including new production lines, boiler installations, and wastewater system modernization.
Lead high-visibility projects that directly impact plant performance and long-term strategy.
Work in a collaborative, team-oriented culture alongside production, quality, and safety leaders.
Grow your career through continuous learning and development opportunities.
Enjoy competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
Ready to Make an Impact?
If you’re ready to take ownership, lead with purpose, and help shape the future of a growing manufacturing facility, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply today and join AFB’s dedicated team in O’Fallon, MO.
AFB International is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, or veteran status.
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