Utilities Supervisor – Steam, Air, Water Systems

Job Title: Utilities Supervisor – Steam, Air, Water Systems

Job Summary:

The Senior Utilities Supervisor is a seasoned leader responsible for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of all critical utility systems across the manufacturing site, including steam generation, compressed air, water treatment/distribution, chilled water, and HVAC systems. This role provides strategic direction for utility performance, manages cross-functional teams and contractors, ensures compliance with regulatory and food safety standards, and leads utility optimization and energy efficiency initiatives. The Senior Utilities Supervisor also plays a key role in capital project execution and long-term infrastructure planning.

Key Responsibilities:

Utility Operations Leadership

• Direct daily operations of utility systems to ensure consistent, uninterrupted supply to support manufacturing, sanitation, and facility functions.

• Develop and enforce operational standards, response protocols, and emergency procedures for critical utility assets.

• Oversee shift coverage, training, and workload allocation among operators and technicians.

System Reliability & Asset Management

• Lead maintenance planning, reliability improvements, and risk mitigation strategies for all utilities infrastructure.

• Manage long-term asset lifecycle planning, including replacement schedules, upgrades, and capital justifications.

• Conduct and lead root cause analyses (RCA) for system failures, with corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).

Compliance, Safety & Documentation

• Ensure all systems comply with OSHA, EPA, FDA, GMP, and state/local utility regulations.

• Lead utility compliance audits, documentation practices, water quality sampling, and emissions monitoring.

• Champion process safety, LOTO, confined space, and high-pressure system safety practices.

Energy & Sustainability Optimization

• Identify and implement energy-saving and water conservation initiatives (e.g., boiler efficiency, air leak audits, condensate recovery).

• Collaborate with corporate sustainability teams on carbon reduction, water reuse, and renewable energy projects.

• Track and report utility KPIs (energy usage, steam efficiency, system uptime).

Capital Projects & Engineering Support

• Collaborate with Engineering and Capital Projects teams on utility system design, commissioning, and start-up.

• Provide input on utility capacity planning for future production or facility expansions.

• Oversee third-party contractors, consultants, and vendors for installations and major maintenance.

Team Development & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Mentor and develop junior supervisors, operators, and maintenance staff to build technical depth and leadership readiness.

• Serve as the primary utilities liaison across Engineering, Production, Quality, EHS, and Facilities teams.

• Lead cross-functional utility readiness reviews and risk assessments for new lines or products.

Key Focus Areas:

• Strategic operation and optimization of plant-wide utility systems

• Regulatory and food safety compliance (OSHA, FDA, GMP, EPA)

• Energy efficiency and sustainability improvements

• Asset reliability and life cycle management

• Leadership of multidisciplinary teams and technical mentorship

• Utility-related support for capital expansion and site master planning

• Advanced troubleshooting and RCA leadership

Qualifications & Skills:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial, or Facilities Engineering required

• Master’s degree or certifications in Energy Management, Reliability, or Engineering Leadership is a plus

Certifications:

• Licensed Boiler Operator, EPA 608, or equivalent certifications required (varies by jurisdiction)

• Lean, Six Sigma, or Certified Energy Manager (CEM) preferred

Experience:

• 8–12 years of experience in industrial utilities or facilities operations, with at least 3–5 years in a supervisory or leadership role

• Proven expertise with steam systems (boilers, PRVs, condensate), compressed air systems, HVAC, chilled water, and water treatment

• Demonstrated success in leading utility projects, audits, and cross-functional initiatives in a GMP or regulated environment

Technical Skills:

• Strong proficiency in CMMS (e.g., SAP, Maximo), SCADA/HMI systems, and utility instrumentation

• Knowledge of process safety management, energy benchmarking, and mechanical integrity standards

• Ability to read engineering drawings (P&IDs, mechanical layouts, control schematics)

Soft Skills:

• Strong leadership, planning, and organizational skills

• Influential communicator and team motivator

• Strategic mindset with hands-on execution ability