Job Description

Job Title: Director of Maintenance and Engineering

Location: Elmwood Park, NJ

Job Summary: Are you a seasoned leader with a passion for engineering and maintenance excellence? Join our team in Elmwood Park, NJ, as the Director of Maintenance and Engineering, where you'll lead our maintenance and engineering teams to ensure the reliability, efficiency, and continuous improvement of all mill operations. This pivotal role focuses on asset management, preventive maintenance, capital projects, safety compliance, and cost control while supporting our production goals. Collaborate closely with operations, environmental, and corporate teams to maintain a safe and high-performing manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Maintenance Strategy & Reliability

• Develop and oversee a comprehensive preventive and predictive maintenance program to minimize downtime and extend equipment lifespan.
• Implement reliability-centered maintenance (RCM) and root cause analysis (RCA) programs to drive continuous improvement.
• Ensure all critical equipment, including paper machines, boilers, turbines, and auxiliary systems, operates at peak efficiency.
• Lead efforts to reduce maintenance costs and optimize spare parts inventory.

2. Engineering & Capital Project Management

• Plan and manage capital investment projects, including new installations, equipment upgrades, and process optimization initiatives.
• Ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and aligned with business objectives.
• Work with corporate engineering teams and external contractors to design, evaluate, and implement process improvements.
• Manage energy efficiency projects to optimize utility usage and environmental sustainability.

3. Safety, Environmental & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, NFPA, and other industry regulations regarding equipment safety and environmental impact.
• Oversee lockout/tagout (LOTO) programs, confined space procedures, and other safety protocols.
• Support environmental initiatives, including air emissions control, wastewater treatment, and hazardous materials handling.
• Develop and enforce policies to maintain a zero-incident workplace culture.

4. Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop maintenance managers, engineers, and skilled trades personnel.
• Establish training programs to improve technical skills, cross-training, and leadership development within the department.
• Promote teamwork and collaboration between maintenance, production, and quality departments.

5. Budgeting & Cost Control

• Develop and manage the maintenance and engineering budget, ensuring cost-effectiveness in repairs, spare parts, and capital expenditures.
• Track and report key performance indicators (KPIs), such as maintenance cost per ton, mean time between failures (MTBF), and downtime reduction.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings through energy efficiency, waste reduction, and process optimization.

6. Technology & Automation Integration

• Oversee implementation and maintenance of SCADA, DCS, and CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Systems) for data-driven decision-making.
• Support mill-wide automation initiatives, including Industry 4.0 technologies such as predictive analytics and IoT integration.
• Stay current with emerging technologies in mechanical, electrical, and process automation to improve mill efficiency.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering (Master's preferred).
• Experience: 10+ years in industrial maintenance and engineering, preferably in the pulp & paper industry, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Technical Expertise:
  • Strong knowledge of paper mill machinery, including paper machines, boilers, turbines, and high-speed rotating equipment.
  • Experience with PLC and DCS systems, including troubleshooting and optimization.
  • Understanding of hydraulics, pneumatics, electrical systems, and process control.
  • Familiarity with TPM (Total Productive Maintenance), Six Sigma, and Lean Manufacturing methodologies.
• Leadership & Management Skills:
  • Ability to lead large teams of engineers, supervisors, and technicians.
  • Strong communication and problem-solving skills to collaborate across departments.
  • Experience managing union and non-union workforces is a plus.

Preferred Skills:

• CMMS (SAP, Maximo, or similar) experience for work order tracking and asset management.
• Experience with boilers, turbines, and power generation systems.
• Strong background in capital project management and cost control.
• Working knowledge of environmental compliance requirements in pulp and paper manufacturing.

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