Live Oak - Engineering Services Manager

Milliken & Company is a global manufacturing leader whose focus on materials science delivers tomorrow’s breakthroughs today. From industry-leading molecules to sustainable innovations, Milliken creates products that enhance people’s lives and deliver solutions for its customers and communities. Drawing on thousands of patents and a portfolio with applications across the textile, flooring, chemical and healthcare businesses, the company harnesses a shared sense of integrity and excellence to positively impact the world for generations. Discover more about Milliken’s curious minds and inspired solutions at Milliken.com and on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Job Title: Live Oak Plant - Engineering Services Manager / Plant Engineer

Job Summary: 

We are seeking an experienced manufacturing Engineering Services Manager to lead and manage our engineering services department. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in overseeing the manufacturing engineering processes and equipment, ensuring a safety-first culture, commitment to quality, efficiency, and continuous improvement. This role requires strong leadership skills, technical expertise, and the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams.  This position is located at the Milliken Live Oak Plant in LaGrange, Georgia, and reports to the location’s Plant Manager. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• All employees must exercise principles of safety, environmental management, quality management and good housekeeping in all aspects of the job and must inform supervision of any unsafe practices or conditions. 
• Manage, lead, guide, direct and develop a group of highly skilled engineers, microprocessor technicians, control equipment technicians, and mechanical technicians.
• Oversee preventative, predictive, and reactive maintenance department of large manufacturing facility including production equipment, support/auxiliary equipment, building and grounds. 
• Continuous improvement of the department extends beyond department boundaries, but includes:
  • Improving equipment failure rates, decreasing failure costs
  • Improving spare parts processes and programs
  • Own VA/VE projects at different stages from concept to completion
  • Evaluate, recommend, and implement process, machine, and design improvements to equipment
• Onboarding / Skills development:  Attract, retain, train, develop talent in the department
• Own the Contractor Safety Program
• Own the supply budget for the plant (Monitor expenses, identify cost-saving opportunities, and ensure fiscal responsibility)

Qualifications - Required:

• BS degree in Electrical, Mechanical or Chemical Engineering
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Strong technical and problem-solving skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong conflict resolution skills
• Highly developed leadership skills

Qualifications - Preferred:

• 15+ years of experience working in a manufacturing environment
• 10+ years of experience in a Plant Management / Plant Engineer role
• SAP-PM experience
• Working knowledge of P&IDs, Process Flow Diagrams, and functional specs
• Understanding of electrical elementary and loop diagram

The successful candidates will demonstrate strengths in the following:

• Continuous improvement mindset
• Self-management skills
• Problem-solving capability

Milliken is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, including but not limited to lactation), sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), ancestry, national origin, citizenship, age physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran or military status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.