Job Description

We are working with a client to source for a Plant Engineering & Maintenance Manager

Location: Chicago, IL

Compensation: $121,000–$147,000 + potential 10% annual bonus

Reports To: Plant Manager

We are seeking an experienced Plant Engineering & Maintenance Manager to lead maintenance, reliability, mechanical integrity, and engineering activities for a manufacturing facility in the Chicago area.

This is a hands-on leadership position responsible for ensuring equipment reliability, plant performance, PSM and Mechanical Integrity compliance, preventive maintenance, process improvements, and engineering support .

The position leads a technical team that may include Maintenance Technicians, an I/E Technician, Production Engineer, Improvement Engineer, and Developing Engineer. This individual will also work closely with Production, Logistics, Quality, Safety, and plant leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Maintenance & Reliability – 40%

• Lead the plant maintenance and reliability program.
• Manage and develop maintenance and technical team members.
• Ensure preventive, predictive, proactive, and reactive maintenance activities are completed effectively.
• Analyze equipment failures and conduct root cause and failure-mode analysis .
• Develop strategies to improve equipment reliability and plant uptime.
• Ensure maintenance activities meet PSM, ISO, and regulatory requirements .
• Manage maintenance spending, contractors, and outside service providers.
• Lead planning and execution for major plant shutdowns and turnarounds.
• Monitor and report equipment reliability and maintenance performance.

Mechanical Integrity – 15%

• Own and manage the site's Mechanical Integrity (MI) program .
• Coordinate equipment inspections and testing.
• Ensure inspection requirements and documentation remain current.
• Work with internal and external resources to maintain compliance with PSM and MI requirements.

Engineering & Technical Leadership – 35%

• Lead engineering and technical resources supporting plant operations.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to capacity, reliability, quality, and process performance .
• Support process optimization and facility improvements.
• Lead technical support for new product scale-ups and manufacturing trials.
• Support plant control systems and cybersecurity initiatives.
• Develop scopes and objectives for capital projects.
• Coordinate minor capital projects and engineering assignments.
• Provide technical support for plant processes, equipment, utilities, and facilities.
• Support Process Safety Management (PSM), Management of Change (MOC), environmental, and regulatory initiatives .

Safety, Training & Compliance – 10%

• Promote a strong plant safety culture.
• Support PSM, risk management, and safety programs.
• Develop procedures and training related to Mechanical Integrity, PSM, and MOC .
• Manage maintenance department training and employee development.
• Participate in audits, inspections, incident investigations, and continuous improvement activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Chemical Engineering required.
• 5+ years of experience in a manufacturing, chemical/process plant, latex production, plant engineering, or project engineering environment.
• Maintenance experience required.
• Experience with plant reliability and Mechanical Integrity strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of PSM and MOC within a regulated manufacturing environment.
• Supervisory or team leadership experience preferred.
• Experience with fired boilers, utilities, or related plant equipment is a plus.
• Experience planning shutdowns, managing contractors, and supporting capital projects preferred.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and root-cause problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple plant needs and make sound, data-driven decisions.
• Strong leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a hands-on engineering and maintenance leader who understands what it takes to keep a process manufacturing facility operating safely and reliably.

We are particularly interested in candidates who combine a strong Mechanical or Chemical Engineering background with practical experience in maintenance, reliability, Mechanical Integrity, PSM, plant equipment, and process improvement .

This is an excellent opportunity for an engineering professional who enjoys being close to plant operations and wants responsibility for both the technical engineering and maintenance/reliability sides

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