Chief Engineer - 1st Class Operating Engineer

About the Role:

We have a current opening for a Chief Engineer and are actively reviewing applications.

Ferrero is anything but ordinary. As a family-owned company with a truly progressive and global outlook, Ferrero is home to iconic brands including Nutella®, Tic Tac®, Ferrero Rocher®, Raffaello®, Kinder Surprise®, and Kinder Bueno®. With products enjoyed in more than 160 countries worldwide, we continue to grow through innovation, operational excellence, and the dedication of our people.

We are seeking an experienced Chief Engineer to join our Brantford facility. This is an exciting opportunity for a proven technical and people leader to oversee critical utility operations while driving reliability, safety, continuous improvement, and team development in a world-class manufacturing environment.

Reporting to the Head of Maintenance, the Chief Engineer provides strategic and technical leadership for the Utilities function, ensuring critical plant infrastructure operates safely, reliably, and efficiently in support of production, quality, and business objectives.

Main Responsibilities:

Leadership & People Development
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Operating Engineers and Utilities personnel, fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Drive employee engagement, workforce planning, technical development, succession planning, and performance management.
• Partner with Production, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, and Health & Safety teams to support plant priorities and business goals.

Utilities Operations & Reliability
• Ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of all utility systems, including boilers, chillers, refrigeration systems, compressed air systems, HVAC, potable water systems, and pressure equipment.
• Oversee preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs to maximize equipment reliability and utility availability.
• Monitor system performance, identify improvement opportunities, and implement sustainable solutions to optimize reliability and efficiency.
• Support emergency response activities and provide technical leadership during operational incidents.

Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence
• Champion Lean Manufacturing and Operational Excellence principles throughout the Utilities Department.
• Lead reliability improvement initiatives focused on equipment performance, energy efficiency, sustainability, and cost optimization.
• Conduct root cause analyses and implement corrective actions to eliminate recurring equipment failures.
• Develop and monitor key performance indicators related to reliability, maintenance compliance, utility consumption, and operational performance.
• Support capital projects and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance plant performance and reduce waste.

Regulatory Compliance & Safety
• Ensure compliance with TSSA regulations and all applicable legislation governing boilers, pressure vessels, pressure piping, refrigeration systems, and utility infrastructure.
• Oversee inspection, certification, testing, and maintenance programs for regulated equipment.
• Partner with Health & Safety to lead risk assessments, incident investigations, and corrective action initiatives.
• Represent Ferrero with regulatory agencies, contractors, and external stakeholders on matters relating to utility systems and facility infrastructure.

About You:

• 1st Class Stationary Engineer Certificate issued by TSSA. (Required)
• Progressive leadership experience within a manufacturing, utilities, power generation, or industrial environment.
• Strong knowledge of boilers, chillers, refrigeration systems, compressed air systems, HVAC, pressure vessels, and related utility infrastructure.
• Proven experience leading teams through coaching, performance management, and employee development.
• Experience driving Lean Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, project management, and communication skills.
• Experience managing budgets, cost controls, and capital projects is considered an asset.

Why Work With Ferrero?
• Competitive bonus structure
• Fully paid benefits
• Company-matched pension plan
• Career development and advancement opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Relocation assistance

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure
As part of our recruitment process, Ferrero may use artificial intelligence (AI) enabled tools to assist with reviewing candidate applications. These tools are used solely to support recruiters by summarizing application information and identifying potential alignment with job requirements. AI does not independently screen out or select candidates, and it does not replace human judgment. Final decisions regarding candidate progression are always made by Ferrero recruiters and hiring managers.

What We Offer:

Careers with caring built in - discover our benefits here.

The base compensation range for this position is $110,000- $160,000. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors permitted by law. This range represents the anticipated salary for this position at this time.

In addition to base salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and other benefits.

About Ferrero:

Ferrero began its journey in the small town of Alba in Piedmont, Italy, in 1946. Today, it is one of the world’s largest sweet-packaged food companies, with many iconic brands sold in countries all over the world. Find out more about Ferrero at ferrero.com.

DE&I at Ferrero:

Ferrero is committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture in which all employees feel welcomed and appreciated and have the same opportunities. We believe all our people are equally talented in their own way. In nurturing the curiosity and natural abilities of our employees, we provide them, generation after generation, the means to succeed personally and professionally, enabling them to craft their journey at Ferrero. The diversity of our talents is what makes our work environment multicultural, innovative, and highly rewarding.
Find out more here.

Ferrero is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable human rights laws. Ferrero will recruit, hire, train, and promote all persons without regard to race, creed, color, sex (including pregnancy, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity), religion, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, or history of disability (except where physical or mental abilities are a bona fide occupational requirement and the individual is not able to perform the essential functions of the position even with reasonable accommodations), citizenship, or any other protected characteristic.

Ferrero will accommodate the needs of applicants with disabilities throughout all stages of the selection process. If you need accommodation during the recruitment process, please advise the People & Organization (HR) Representative. Information relating to the need for accommodation and accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.