Curran Daly + Associates
Description
About the Role:
We are seeking an experienced and strategic Plant Engineering Manager to lead the engineering function across our manufacturing operations. This role is responsible for driving engineering excellence, asset reliability, operational efficiency, and capital project execution while ensuring compliance with food safety, quality, environmental, and safety standards.
The successful candidate will play a critical leadership role in building and professionalizing the Engineering organization, overseeing plant maintenance and utilities, leading major CAPEX initiatives, and developing long-term engineering strategies that support business growth and manufacturing excellence.
Key Responsibilities:
Engineering Leadership & Organizational Development
- Lead and strengthen the Engineering Department across multiple manufacturing facilities, establishing clear structures, roles, responsibilities, and succession plans.
- Develop and implement engineering standards, policies, systems, and best practices to ensure consistency and operational excellence across all sites.
- Establish and maintain robust maintenance and asset management systems, including CMMS implementation and optimization.
- Drive engineering governance through regular audits, performance reviews, and compliance assessments.
- Build organizational capability by developing engineering talent, competency frameworks, and technical training programs.
Capital Projects Management
- Lead the end-to-end delivery of engineering and infrastructure projects, from feasibility studies and business case development through commissioning and handover.
- Manage annual CAPEX planning and execution, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and aligned with business objectives.
- Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to support plant expansions, process improvements, equipment installations, and facility upgrades.
- Manage engineering contractors, consultants, and equipment suppliers while ensuring adherence to quality, safety, and regulatory standards.
Process Engineering & Continuous Improvement
- Drive manufacturing process optimization initiatives to improve productivity, equipment performance, product quality, and operational efficiency.
- Lead root cause analysis, process capability studies, and reliability improvement programs to address chronic operational challenges.
- Champion Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, TPM, and other continuous improvement methodologies across manufacturing sites.
- Identify and implement sustainability and energy-efficiency initiatives to reduce utility consumption and operating costs.
- Ensure engineering processes and equipment consistently support food safety and quality management systems.
Maintenance & Reliability Excellence
- Develop and execute a world-class maintenance strategy that emphasizes preventive, predictive, and reliability-centered maintenance practices.
- Monitor and improve key engineering and maintenance KPIs, including OEE, MTBF, MTTR, equipment uptime, and maintenance compliance.
- Oversee maintenance budgets and resource allocation to maximize asset reliability while maintaining cost efficiency.
- Establish spare parts management strategies and inventory controls to minimize production downtime.
- Lead reliability engineering initiatives utilizing predictive maintenance technologies and data-driven maintenance practices.
Utilities & Facilities Management
- Oversee the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of critical utilities including boilers, steam systems, refrigeration, compressed air, wastewater treatment, and electrical systems.
- Ensure manufacturing facilities, infrastructure, and support systems are maintained to the highest operational, safety, and food-grade standards.
- Drive compliance with environmental regulations and sustainability objectives across all facilities.
Strategic Engineering Planning
- Develop and execute a multi-year Engineering Master Plan aligned with the organization's growth strategy and operational goals.
- Evaluate emerging technologies, automation opportunities, and industry best practices to enhance manufacturing capabilities.
- Collaborate with senior leadership to support capacity expansion, infrastructure investments, and future business requirements.
- Benchmark engineering performance against industry standards and implement improvement initiatives where appropriate.
Safety, Health, Environment & Compliance
- Foster a strong culture of safety and operational discipline throughout all engineering activities.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements, including occupational safety, environmental, and food manufacturing regulations.
- Lead engineering-related safety programs, risk assessments, inspections, and contractor safety management initiatives.
- Ensure proper implementation of LOTO, confined space, hot work permit, and other critical safety procedures.
Key Requirements:
- Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
- Master's Degree in Engineering Management, Business Administration (MBA), or related field is an advantage.
- Minimum of 10 years of progressive engineering experience within food manufacturing, FMCG, consumer goods, or related process industries.
- At least 5 years of leadership experience managing plant engineering, maintenance, utilities, and capital projects.
- Proven track record in leading large-scale CAPEX projects from planning through commissioning and operational handover.
- Experience managing multi-site or multi-plant manufacturing operations is highly preferred.
- Background in canned food, meat processing, thermal processing, retort systems, or highly automated manufacturing environments is a strong advantage.
- Experience establishing or transforming engineering organizations, systems, and maintenance programs is highly desirable.
- Licensed Professional Engineer (PRC Registered Engineer) strongly preferred.
- Certifications in Project Management, Lean Six Sigma, TPM, Reliability Engineering, or related disciplines are advantageous.
Are you a licensed Engineer with a proven track record in plant operations, engineering excellence, and manufacturing leadership? If you're ready to elevate your career with one of the largest FMCG companies in the Philippines, we'd love to speak with you.
To explore this opportunity confidentially, apply now or send your CV directly to ppiala@currandaly.com.
