Plant Engineering Manager
Conagra Brands · Darien, WI
- Level
- Manager
- Team
- Production
- Base pay
- $109k–$159k
- Degree
- Required
- Industry
- Food & beverage
- Posted
- 10 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A management production role at Conagra Brands (food & beverage) in Darien, WI. You’ll lead plant‑specific engineering and maintenance strategies that support low‑loss production systems, vertical startup processes, and Early Management initiatives.
- They ask for
- degree required
- Base pay
- $109k–$159k
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
Your game plan for this job
Most people just hit Apply. Do these first and you show up with someone on the inside.
- 1
Find 2–3 people on the Production team at this site
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply most.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
Ask about the work, not for a referral. We write it for you.
- 3
Have a 15-minute chat
Good questions for this role:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply, ideally with a referral
Ask if they'd refer you or introduce you to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link and tell them the day you apply.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
About the role
Responsibilities
- ◆Assist the plant in establishing safety for all team members as the plant’s first objective.
- ◆Lead the cross‑functional development and execution of the plant capital plan in partnership with Safety, Sanitation, Quality, Environmental, Operations, Maintenance, Finance, and other corporate functions.
- ◆Partner with the Platform Engineering Director to resource projects, including engineering project management, subject matter expertise, and startup management support.
- ◆Support internal systems audits and continuous improvement activities.
- ◆Support the Plant in providing direction and lead the EM Pillar Team in the development of long and short-term plans and goals for the Plant.
- ◆Support the plant with project execution and technical leadership at both plant and division levels.
- ◆Participate on and lead project teams that improve safety, quality, utilization, labor relations, sanitation, cost performance, and customer service.
- ◆Communicate and collaborate across departments to ensure plant resources are efficiently utilized to maximize true efficiency.
- ◆Manage the Utilities team and ensure functionality and compliance for plant utility systems, including, ammonia refrigeration, nitrogen, steam, natural gas, and compressed air.
- ◆Prepare and lead team meetings to support effective communication and team development.
- ◆Partner closely with Maintenance, Quality, Production, and Warehouse teams to foster a cooperative and high‑performance plant environment.
- ◆Provide work direction and coordination for mechanical and clerical activities within the maintenance organization.
Ingredients Required for Your Success
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
- ✓Five or more years of experience in food manufacturing with increasing responsibility
- ✓Maintenance experience with plant utility systems, including, ammonia refrigeration, nitrogen, steam, natural gas, and compressed air.
- ✓Experience with Process Safety Management (PSM)
- ✓Demonstrated leadership skills with experience serving as a peer mentor and advisor to cross‑functional partners.
- ✓Experience communicating and presenting to all levels within a manufacturing plant.
- ✓Experience using computer aided design software.
- ✓Experience working with enterprise resource planning systems.
- ✓Willingness to rotate shifts and work weekends and holidays when required.
Pay Range:$109,000-$159,000
The annual salary listed above is the expected offering for this position. An employee’s actual annual salary will be based on but not limited to: location, relevant experience/level and skillset, while balancing internal Conagra employees’ equity. Conagra Brands will comply with applicable law regarding minimum salaries for exempt employees.
Our Benefits
We care about your total well-being and will support you with the following, subject to your location and role:
- ✓Health: Comprehensive healthcare plans, wellness incentive program, mental wellbeing support and fitness reimbursement
- ✓Wealth: Great pay, bonus incentive opportunity, matching 401(k) and stock purchase plan
- ✓Growth: Career development opportunities, employee resource groups, on-demand learning and tuition reimbursement
- ✓Balance: Paid-time off, parental leave, flexible work-schedules (subject to your location and role) and volunteer opportunities
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Reporting to the Plant Manager, you’ll develop and implement the overall plant technical strategy with a focus on engineering projects, maintenance excellence, and stores improvement programs. You’ll lead plant‑specific engineering and maintenance strategies that support low‑loss production systems, vertical startup processes, and Early Management initiatives. You’ll provide technical solutions to production challenges, manage the plant technical organization, and partner with corporate teams to achieve performance, safety, and cost goals.
A Taste of Your
Our Company
At Conagra Brands, we have a rich heritage of making great food. We aspire to have the most impactful, energized and inclusive culture in food. As a member of our 18,000+ person team across 40+ locations, you are empowered to reach your potential, make an impact and own your career. We're in the business of building champions – within our people and our iconic brands like Birds Eye®, Slim Jim® and Reddi-Wip®.
Our focus on innovation extends beyond making great food, it also reflects our commitment to embracing new solutions that positively impact our team, the communities we serve and the health of our planet. Foodies Welcome.