Engineering Lead

Position Summary

The Engineering Lead is responsible for overseeing and directing all engineering activities within the facility, ensuring maximum equipment reliability, long-term operational sustainability, and a safe working environment. This role provides strategic and operational leadership over machinery maintenance, groundskeeping, and utilities management.

Beyond daily plant operations, the Engineering Lead is responsible for identifying, developing, and justifying technical project proposals that ensure continuous improvement, cost efficiency, and business continuity.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Project Proposals & Sustainability

• CAPEX & Project Design: Conceptualize, design, and present comprehensive project proposals (including technical specifications, ROI calculations, and cost-benefit analyses) to executive leadership to upgrade assets or expand operations.
• Operational Sustainability: Proactively identify and execute technical solutions aimed at long-term operational sustainability, including energy conservation, waste reduction, water management, and modernization of aging systems.
• Business Continuity: Develop engineering contingency plans and infrastructure redundancies to mitigate risks of major utility grid failures or catastrophic equipment breakdowns.

2. Maintenance & Assets Management (Machines & Equipment)

• Oversee the implementation of Preventive, Predictive, and Corrective maintenance programs for all production machinery to guarantee maximum uptime and OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness).
• Lead troubleshooting efforts for complex electro-mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic system breakdowns.
• Manage the engineering spare parts inventory in coordination with the Maintenance Planner to ensure critical parts are available while optimizing holding costs.

3. Utilities & Facilities Infrastructure Management

• Ensure the uninterrupted and efficient operation of plant utilities, including electrical distribution systems, substations, generators, boilers, air compressors, and water treatment facilities.
• Manage routine and emergency repairs for factory grounds, building structures, and civil works.
• Monitor energy and utility consumption, driving sustainability initiatives and cost-reduction projects.

4. Team Leadership & People Management

• Provide direct supervision, coaching, and performance management to the Maintenance Planner and Engineering Supervisors.
• Optimize man-hour utilization, manage shifting schedules, and ensure technical support is available for critical or emergency weekend breakdowns.
• Foster a highly motivated team culture to maintain strong morale and minimize operational risks due to personnel downtime.

5. Safety, Compliance, and Quality Assurance

• Enforce strict adherence to workplace safety protocols, lock-out/tag-out (LOTO) procedures, hot work permits, and machinery pre-operational checks.
• Ensure all engineering and maintenance activities strictly comply with DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment) occupational health and safety standards.
• Maintain the facility’s readiness for quality and regulatory compliance audits (including food safety, structural, and electrical safety standards)

Job Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Degree: Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering (Registered/Licensed Electrical Engineer preferred).
• Experience: Minimum of 3-5 years of progressive experience in engineering, project management, and maintenance operations within a manufacturing or factory environment.
• Leadership: At least 3 years in a supervisory or leadership capacity managing engineers, supervisors, and planners.

Technical Skills & Competencies

• Strong background in electrical systems, power distribution, PLC, and automated manufacturing machinery.
• Proven track record in drafting technical project proposals, estimating budgets, and managing engineering projects from concept to execution.
• Deep understanding of utility management (air compressors, boilers, pumps, and HVAC systems).
• Proficiency in Preventive Maintenance methodologies and familiarity with CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Systems) workflows.
• Strong grasp of local regulatory standards (Philippine Electrical Code, DOLE-OSHC, and building codes).

Soft Skills

• Excellent leadership, interpersonal, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Strong financial acumen for calculating ROI, payback periods, and executing cost-justified proposals for management approval.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving abilities, especially under high-pressure breakdown scenarios.
• Clear communication skills for reporting operational impacts, downtime risks, and project timelines to the Manufacturing Lead, SCM Lead, or COO.