Energy Director

Founded over 35 years ago, First Quality is a family-owned company that has grown from a small business in McElhattan, Pennsylvania into a group of companies, employing over 5,000 team members, while maintaining our family values and entrepreneurial spirit. With corporate offices in New York and Pennsylvania and 8 manufacturing campuses across the U.S. and Canada, the companies within the First Quality group produce high-quality personal care and household products for large retailers and healthcare organizations. Our personal care and household product portfolio includes baby diapers, wipes, feminine pads, paper towels, bath tissue, adult incontinence products, laundry detergents, fabric finishers, and dishwash solutions. In addition, we manufacture certain raw materials and components used in the manufacturing of these products, including flexible print and packaging solutions.

Guided by our values of humility, unity, and integrity, we leverage advanced technology and innovation to drive growth and create new opportunities. At First Quality, you’ll find a collaborative environment focused on continuous learning, professional development, and our mission to Make Things Better®.

First Quality is seeking an Energy Director to support all First Quality manufacturing facilities and will partner closely with Team Members at each site including facilities, engineers, finance, operations, maintenance and other staff to procure energy supply, reduce energy consumption and evaluate alternative energy opportunities.  The role will also evaluate and partner with external vendors to ensure seamless delivery of services. In this capacity, he or she will work to ensure that the organization has the best information and recommendations with which to make energy management, alternative energy, and sustainability decisions.

Primary responsibilities include:

·      Manage the procurement of electricity and natural gas for all First Quality manufacturing locations in USA and Canada.

·      Act as site resource for all FQ sites dealing with Federal, State, Provincial and local regulations governing utilities.

·      Research and evaluate options, present recommendations, and implement programs for reducing energy usage, related conservation programs, and their related costs.

·      Develop, evaluate and present alternative energy source options to reduce future energy costs and reduce reliance on traditional energy sources.

·      Take advantage of energy markets to provide short-term and longer-term commercial advantages for the business.

·      Analyze and evaluate site data, correlate findings with manufacturing site teams.

·      Track all energy data for FQ manufacturing facilities and publish regular efficiency reports.

·      Member of FQ Sustainability team and responsible for GHG tracking.

·      Participate in new facility start-up or expansion planning and execution projects as they arise.

·      Provide leadership to facilities optimization including lighting, HVAC and other energy systems.

·      Develop capabilities in operating personnel, engineers and maintenance personnel to understand the energy performance impact of procedures and guidelines.

·      Work with facilities managers and engineers to ensure all equipment and systems are maintained to the highest level of efficiency practical, to provide optimal environmental conditions within the facility for the minimum expenditure of energy.

·      Acts as liaison between utilities, energy service providers, public agencies and mill personnel.

·      Write project proposals, requests for proposals, and work with outside consultants/contractors in technological developments, equipment design and testing procedures. Track progress of consultants to ensure that work is performed efficiently and according to scope of work.

·      Analyze projects in relation to total life cost and available incentive programs and prepare proposals for presentation to the team and senior leaders.

·      Lead site-based energy teams to develop and implement energy efficiency efforts and projects.

·      Become familiar with the layout of the facilities, location of storage rooms, shops, mechanical rooms and equipment, labs, and the various building systems utilizing energy and resources: mechanical, plumbing, electrical, life safety, emergency generators, domestic water, irrigation, etc.

·      Collaborate with other members of the physical facilities team (Operations, Planning, Engineering, Capital Program Management, other Facilities Operations departments).

·      Within the organization leads the application of energy management principles and practices.

·      Become familiar with the various energy and sustainability incentive programs available; prepare and submit applications as appropriate.

·      Possess in-depth knowledge of all mechanical and control systems, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing systems, emergency generator, and related systems.

·      Become familiar with the various tools for measuring carbon footprint and develop means for recording it, working to reduce it in conjunction with energy and related conservation programs.

The ideal candidate should possess the following:

·      Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related discipline.

·      Minimum of five years of experience in alternative energy and/or energy management positions, preferably in positions of leadership.

·      Experience with alternative energy research, projects and implementation planning preferred.

·      Ability to foster a safe and cooperative work environment. Management experience with a proven track record of safety excellence, solid judgment, decision making, budget management, and environmental stewardship.

·      Proven track record of leadership and creating an environment of employee involvement and continuous improvement is required. Strong interpersonal skills include the ability to effectively motivate and influence others.

·      Familiarity with demand response/curtailment, EPA Energy Star for buildings, and LEED Green Building certification programs.

·      Experience with alternative power sources, energy conservation retrofits, and carbon offsets.

·      Develop and implement organizational and operational policies, procedures and goals to administer the functions of heat & power, utilities operations, and utilities engineering.

·      Familiar with regulations for power generation, power grids and natural gas delivery systems. Understands opportunities for renewable sources of energy, i.e. wind, solar and biomass.

·      Strong analytical skills, with the ability to easily synthesize data and communicate a strategy and proposal to senior leadership,

·      Solid negotiation skills and ability to represent the organization professionally with outside vendors, consultants, etc.

·      Will be required to travel approximately 25% - US & Canada.

What We Offer You

We believe that by continuously improving the quality of our benefits, we can help to raise the quality of life for our team members and their families. At First Quality you will receive:

• Competitive base salary and bonus opportunities
• Paid time off (three-week minimum)
• Medical, dental and vision starting day one
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid parental leave
• Child and family care assistance (dependent care FSA with employer match up to $3750)
• Bundle of joy benefit (years’ worth of free diapers to all team members with a new baby)
• Tuition assistance
• Wellness program with savings of up to $4,000 per year on insurance premiums
• ...and more!