Job Description

The Senior Manager – Engineering, Maintenance & Technical Services will lead the engineering, maintenance, utilities, and technical support functions for a fast-paced nutraceutical manufacturing facility.  This role is responsible for ensuring the reliability, efficiency, compliance, and continuous improvement of all manufacturing equipment and utilities while supporting strategic projects related to automation, capacity expansion, and new technology implementation.This role will ensure all production equipment, HVAC systems, utilities, and facility infrastructure operate efficiently, safely, and in compliance with industry regulations. The Senior Manager will manage a team of manufacturing engineers, maintenance professionals, and technical services engineers; working cross-functionally with operations, quality assurance,  safety and R&D teams to support manufacturing needs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Essential Function Statement(s)

Engineering & Technical Services

• Lead site engineering projects including new equipment installation, process upgrades, utility system enhancements, and technology transfers.

• Oversee capital planning and execution, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within scope, and on budget.

• Support implementation of Industry 4.0 / smart factory initiatives to improve asset performance, process visibility, and data-driven decision-making.

• Collaborate with R&D, Quality, and Operations for process validation, technology transfer, scale-up, and commercialization of new products and technologies.

• Provide support for commissioning, validation, and qualification of new equipment and systems(IQ, OQ and PQ).

• Establish documentation standards for technical manuals, SOPs, and engineering drawings.

• Manage engineering capital planning and expenditures to ensure compliance with capital and opex budgets.

• Communicating regularly with upper management regarding problems or issues impacting production

• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for equipment issues and technical failures.

• Identify and implement improvements in OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness), energy consumption, waste reduction, and equipment utilization.

• Provide guidance and supervision for the plant manufacturing and automation engineers to support production on OEE goals.

• Establishing a balance between increased productivity and reduced costs of manufacturing operations

• Developing workflow policies and procedures that improve efficiency without compromising safety or quality.

Maintenance Management

• Develop and execute a comprehensive preventive and predictive maintenance program to maximize equipment uptime and life cycle. 

• Develop and implement a Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)  program for the manufacturing facility.

• Provide guidelines to troubleshoot and repair production machinery, HVAC systems, boilers, electrical, and plumbing as needed.

• Manage and maintain spare parts inventory and vendor relationships to ensure minimal production downtime.

• Manage all project and maintenance vendors and ensure all work is validated, negotiated, and supports company initiatives

• Manage a cross-functional maintenance team covering all shifts, ensuring quick response to equipment breakdowns and production needs.

• Maintain CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) and drive improvements in work order planning, parts inventory, and equipment documentation.

• Keep work order and preventative maintenance closing rate more than 95%.

Compliance & Safety

• Ensure all equipment and facilities comply with cGMP, FDA, NSF, and other regulatory requirements.

• Drive adherence to all safety, environmental, and energy standards; champion a culture of safety-first.

• Lead audits and inspections as the technical lead for maintenance and engineering compliance areas.

Team Leadership

• Develop, coach, and mentor engineering and maintenance teams; foster a culture of technical excellence, ownership, and accountability.

• Partner with HR and operations leadership to develop training plans and career development pathways for technical staff.

SKILLS & ABILITIES 

Experience : 

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial Engineering or Mechatronic Engineering; Master’s degree preferred.

• Minimum 10 years of engineering and maintenance experience in a regulated manufacturing environment, preferably dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals, or food.

• At least 5 years of leadership experience managing cross-functional technical teams.

• Strong knowledge of CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Systems).

• Strong knowledge of GMP, FDA, OSHA and EPA regulations. 

• Experience with Omega-3 softgel, gummy, and liquid supplement manufacturing is highly desirable.

• Proven track record of executing capital projects, implementing automation, and leading maintenance transformation initiatives.

• Hands-on experience with utilities’ systems (HVAC, compressed air, purified water, etc.) and building management systems.

• Expertise in reliability engineering, root cause analysis, and regulatory compliance (e.g., OSHA, GMP if in pharma/food).

• CMRP (Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professional) is a great plus!

• Excellent leadership, problem solving, and project management skills. 

• Strong communication and collaboration skills to work cross functionally with various teams. 

Pay, Benefits & Perks:

The estimated annual pay for this role is $130k to 160k. This pay is an estimate and the exact compensation may vary depending on an applicant's location, skills, prior experience, professional qualifications, and other relevant factors. Additional compensation may also include incentive compensation (i.e. bonus or commission) if applicable. 

At Nordic Naturals, ‘step one’ toward achieving our goal of a healthy world is taking care of our family of employees. We offer a comprehensive and attractive benefits program to employees and eligible family members. Our benefits & perks include the following: 

• Multiple Health Plan Options 
• Dental & Vision 
• Dedicated Mental Health & Wellness Plan
• Access to Multiple EAP Plans 
• Employer Paid Life Insurance 
• PTO 
• Paid Holidays (9 holidays per year) 
• Paid Sabbatical (3 weeks of paid sabbatical after every 5 years of employment) 
• 401(k) Retirement Plan (employer matches dollar for dollar up to 3%)
• Free Monthly Supplements
• Product Discount Program
• Wellness Coach

Nordic Naturals is an equal opportunity employer. A pre-employment drug screening and background check are conditions of employment.   

At Nordic Naturals, we’re committed to delivering the world’s safest, most effective nutrients essential to health. Our award-winning omega-3 fish oil and other foundational nutrients are research supported, expertly formulated, rigorously tested, proven effective and, best of all, great tasting. With products for the whole family, we deliver the nutrients essential for healthy living.  

Nordic Naturals has been revolutionizing omega-3s since 1995, pioneering a new definition of fish oil as it relates to purity, freshness, taste, and dosage. Headquartered in Watsonville, CA, the company has expanded beyond solely omega-3s and offers complementary, foundational nutrients essential to health. Our portfolio, which is distributed to over 35 countries, includes more than 200 products in a variety of flavors and formulations for adults, kids, athletes, and pets. Family owned; Nordic Naturals works passionately to see generations of healthier, happier people around the world.