• Plant Engineering Manager

    Ensign-Bickford Aerospace and Defense (O'Fallon, MO)


    This opportunity is located within our AFB International business, the global science and technology leader in pet food palatability. We develop and produce a full range of liquid and dry palatability enhancers using high-quality ingredients proven to optimize companion animal response and consumption. Click here (http://afbinternational.com/about/) to learn more.

    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.

     

    Ensign-Bickford Industries, (http://e-bind.com) (EBI), founded in 1836, is a privately-owned high technology conglomerate that participates in businesses that are relevant to the future of the world and have multigenerational growth prospects. As One EBI, we innovate in science and technology for the safety, health, and well-being of society, creating exceptional long-term value.

     

    Watch the video above to learn more about some of the incredible challenges we take on every day to deliver the best product for our customers, and ultimately the world.

     

    Ensign-Bickford Industries (EBI) is a global science and technology organization with unparalleled leadership positions in attractive industries and markets. We are EBI, positioned to take on some of the world's most complex technological and scientific challenges in diagnostics, pet food science, and aerospace and defense.

     

    Click here to learn about our Core Values (https://ensign-bickfordind.com/ebi-core-values/)

     

    We conduct business in a manner that reflects the highest human and ethical standards. With that commitment to mutually beneficial partnerships and a belief in the efficacy of genuine economic and social service, this cornerstone is the foundation of who we are as a company and our winning vision.

     

    AFB International (http://www.ensign-bickfordind.com/subsidiaries/afb-international/)

     

    + AFB is the leader in pet food flavor enhancers. Ensuring product performance for pet food manufacturers—and their customers—is our business.

     

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    Cawood (https://cawood.co.uk/)

     

    + Cawood is the UK’s leading scientific group, recognized for its technical capability and value-added service to customers in land-based industries.

    • Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company (http://www.ensign-bickfordind.com/subsidiaries/ensign-bickford-aerospace-defense/)

    + EBAD is a global leader in precision energetic systems and other innovative explosives, non-explosive and electromechanical solutions for the defense and aerospace markets.

    • EnviroLogix (http://www.ensign-bickfordind.com/subsidiaries/envirologix-inc/)

    + EnviroLogix is an industry leader in the development and manufacturing of tests for the rapid detection of GMOs and mycotoxins throughout the worldwide food production chain.