Senior Plant Engineer - Poultry Processing

The Senior Plant Engineer - Poultry Processing is responsible for leading all engineering and utilities functions within the plant, with particular focus on refrigeration systems, plant reliability, preventative maintenance, utilities management, and continuous operational improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

Engineering Leadership;

• Provide leadership, direction, and technical oversight to the engineering and maintenance teams, ensuring adherence to industry best practices, safety standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Supervise and mentor engineers, technicians, electricians, refrigeration operators, and maintenance personnel.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, safety, and operational excellence.

Refrigeration Systems Management;

• Oversee the design, operation, maintenance, and optimization of refrigeration systems throughout the processing plant.
• Ensure efficient operation and reliability of ammonia refrigeration systems, cold rooms, blast freezers, chilled water systems, and associated infrastructure.
• Monitor refrigeration performance and implement efficiency improvements to minimize downtime and energy consumption.
• Ensure full compliance with refrigeration safety standards and operating procedures.

Utilities & Infrastructure Management;

• Oversee plant utilities including boilers, steam systems, compressed air systems, generators, electrical distribution, water supply systems, wastewater treatment systems, and backup power infrastructure.
• Ensure all critical utilities operate efficiently and reliably to support uninterrupted production operations.
• Develop and implement utility optimization and energy efficiency initiatives.

Preventative Maintenance Planning & Reliability;

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve preventative and predictive maintenance programs for all plant equipment and infrastructure.
• Drive asset reliability initiatives focused on minimizing equipment failures and maximizing plant uptime.
• Monitor maintenance KPIs including downtime, equipment availability, response times, and maintenance costs.
• Ensure proper documentation and maintenance records are maintained within the maintenance management system.

Processing Equipment Oversight;

• Oversee maintenance and reliability of poultry processing equipment including slaughter lines, conveyors, chillers, grading systems, packaging equipment, rendering systems, and freezing systems.
• Coordinate equipment servicing, shutdown planning, and plant maintenance schedules to minimize production disruption.
• Ensure all equipment operates safely and efficiently in accordance with food safety requirements.

Project Management & CAPEX Execution;

• Lead engineering and capital projects from concept through implementation, including budgeting, procurement, contractor coordination, scheduling, and commissioning.
• Support expansion projects and plant upgrades in line with the company’s growth strategy.
• Prepare CAPEX proposals, technical evaluations, and project justifications for management approval.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to required technical standards.

Process Optimization & Continuous Improvement;

• Identify opportunities for process improvement, automation, efficiency gains, and cost reduction initiatives.
• Support implementation of lean manufacturing, Kaizen, and continuous improvement initiatives across engineering and production operations.
• Work closely with production and quality teams to improve plant performance and operational efficiency.

Quality Assurance & Food Safety;

• Collaborate with Quality Assurance and Production departments to ensure engineering systems comply with food safety, hygiene, and product quality standards.
• Ensure plant equipment and infrastructure support compliance with HACCP and other applicable food safety standards.
• Participate in internal and external audits as required.

Compliance & Safety Management;

• Ensure full compliance with all applicable engineering, environmental, occupational health and safety, and food processing regulations.
• Conduct risk assessments and implement mitigation measures for engineering-related hazards.
• Drive safe work practices and ensure compliance with lockout/tagout procedures, ammonia safety protocols, and contractor safety requirements.

Budget & Cost Management;

• Prepare and manage engineering department budgets, including maintenance expenditure, spare parts inventory, utilities costs, and capital investments.
• Monitor engineering costs and implement cost-control measures while maintaining operational reliability.
• Manage procurement planning for critical spare parts and engineering consumables.

Contractor & Vendor Management;

• Coordinate and supervise external contractors, service providers, and equipment suppliers.
• Evaluate vendor performance and ensure quality and safety standards are maintained during all engineering works.

Training & Development;

• Provide technical training, coaching, and mentorship to engineering and maintenance personnel.
• Support succession planning and technical skills development within the engineering department.

 

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related engineering discipline.
• Advanced qualifications or professional certifications will be an added advantage.
• Minimum of 10 years’ engineering experience within poultry processing, meat processing, food manufacturing, FMCG, or related industrial operations.
• Significant hands-on experience with ammonia refrigeration systems is essential.
• Strong knowledge of utilities systems including boilers, steam, compressed air, generators, electrical systems, and wastewater treatment.
• Experience managing preventative maintenance systems and plant reliability programs.
• Proven experience managing engineering projects and CAPEX implementation.
• Familiarity with food safety standards including HACCP and related regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge of automation systems, PLC controls, and industrial process systems is advantageous.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and team management skills.
• Experience using maintenance management systems (CMMS/ERP systems) will be an added advantage.
• Professional Engineering certification or registration is an added advantage.