Director, Facilities & Utilities Operations chez Clemens Food Group

Why Join?

Clemens Food Group is investing in the backbone of our operations: the utilities and infrastructure that keep our plants running 24/7. As Director, Facilities & Utilities Operations, you’ll lead a talented trades team and own critical systems that power production, protect the community, and keep us compliant with safety and environmental standards.

The Impact You’ll Make

This role will require in the field involvement and an out of office approach. You’ll be a visible leader across the plant—partnering with superintendents, supervisors, and operators to ensure Interior & Exterior buildings and grounds as well as refrigeration, boilers, compressed air, wastewater, and fire protection systems are reliable and efficient. Your leadership will drive compliance, vendor accountability, and long-term cost savings that directly impact our bottom line.

What You’ll Do

• Directly Lead 2 superintendents, 2 supervisors, and ~28 skilled tradespeople across all shifts.
• Oversee plant utilities: refrigeration/HVAC, boilers/steam, compressed air, fire suppression, wastewater, high voltage gear, and facility infrastructure.
• Drive compliance with permitting, inspections, and PSM/RMP.
• Delegate and oversee ~$3–4M in capital projects annually, ensuring proper execution through your team.
• Partner with ~30–40 vendors to improve service, reduce cost, and strengthen reliability.
• Build strong external relationships with township/environmental officials and regulatory partners.
• Develop long-term infrastructure and cost-saving strategies (energy/water).

What Makes This Role Exciting?

• Campus-wide ownership: From substation to refrigeration to wastewater, you own the backbone of operations.
• High-impact scope: Direct line of sight into compliance, cost savings, and safety outcomes.
• Trusted leadership: Your role frees up senior leadership to focus on revenue-driving operations—this is a visible, high-trust position.
• Engaged team: Skilled tradespeople who want a leader they can respect and learn from.

What We’re Looking For

• 10+ years of utilities, facilities, or infrastructure leadership, ideally in manufacturing.
• Hands-on understanding of boilers, refrigeration, compressed air, fire systems, and wastewater.
• Experience overseeing capital projects (delegation + accountability).
• Proven ability to build trust, engage trades teams, and communicate across all levels.
• Strong urgency and decision-making in plant environments.

Skills & Mindset

• Technical: Utilities, ammonia/PSM, permitting/inspections, vendor management.
• Behavioral: Trust-building, urgency, delegation, public speaking.
• Mindset: Proactive, self-starter, learner, this is not a “desk” role.

Your Future at Clemens

• 90 Days: Earn team trust, understand plant utilities footprint, and establish communication rhythm.
• 6 Months: Standardize systems, improve vendor performance, and propose cost-saving initiatives.
• 12 Months: Own compliance, drive measurable cost/energy savings, and deliver long-term utilities strategy.

Application Note

Clemens Food Group is not accepting unsolicited resumes from search or staffing firms. All resumes submitted by search or staffing firms to any employee at Clemens Food Group via email, the Internet, or directly without a valid written search agreement for this role, and without having been asked to participate in this by Talent Acquisition, will be deemed the sole property of Clemens Food Group, and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired. Firms not authorized to submit candidates will not be eligible for any fee or ownership clai