Facilities and Energy Optimization Technical Specialist

MUST RESIDE IN ILLINOIS

This position requires regular travel to client sites within Illinois.

The Facilities and Energy Optimization Technical Specialist initiates and maintains relationships with manufacturers to assist them in optimizing energy usage through strategic energy management practices. This role is responsible for assessing a facility’s energy consumption, recommending energy management strategies, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives to reduce overall energy costs. The Specialist collaborates with cross-functional teams to integrate energy management into operational and maintenance processes, connecting business objectives with sustainable energy practices. This role also involves guiding manufacturers in prioritizing energy investments, maximizing ROI, and developing long-term energy plans. This might include monitoring equipment, motors, drives, startups, shutdowns, lighting controls, and more. The Specialist will also develop and manage relationships with third-party resources and power companies who may have funding programs to leverage.

Essential Responsibilities:
Responsibilities include:

• Provide direct consultation to manufacturers on energy management strategies, including power monitoring, control systems for motors and drives, and lighting control optimization.
• Prepare proposals, deliver solution presentations, and support business development efforts.
• Manage project engagements, which may include:
  • Assess manufacturers' current energy use, perform gap analyses, and recommend investment priorities and energy-saving opportunities.
  • Develop and implement long-term energy management plans that align with the client’s operational goals, with a focus on ROI and sustainability.
  • Propose and manage energy-saving automation solutions, such as energy-efficient startups/shutdowns and automated control systems for facility operations.
  • Conducting energy audits and assessments.
  • Monitoring and evaluating energy usage across equipment and facility processes.
  • Creating energy savings plans and evaluating their impact.
  • Introducing and implementing new automation technologies to reduce energy consumption.
• Develop and manage Third Party Resources and energy service providers.
• Participate in IMEC’s service development and process improvement teams.

Additional Requirements/Qualifications:

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree with 3+ years of experience working with manufacturing companies, focusing on energy management or facility automation systems. Master’s degree preferred.
• Familiarity with the ISO 50001 Energy Management Standard is a plus; candidates with this knowledge will be prioritized.
• Proven experience in consulting manufacturers on energy management, power monitoring, and control systems.
• Expertise in conducting energy audits, developing energy management plans, and integrating energy-saving practices into operational workflows.
• Familiarity with working alongside utility companies to take advantage of funding and incentive programs.
• Strong computer skills and proficiency in energy management software tools and automation systems.
• Must be a strong written and verbal communicator with the ability to present highly technical data succinctly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Particular consideration will be given to candidates with:

• Experience in developing and executing long-term energy management plans.
• Ability to connect business objectives with overall energy usage and provide strategic direction on optimization
• Familiarity with continuous improvement methodologies, particularly in relation to energy management and maintenance integration.
• The ability to diagnose client energy needs, propose strategic solutions, and effectively communicate value to all levels of the organization, from facility staff to executive leadership.
• Experience managing relationships with utility companies and third-party energy service providers.

Candidates should be sincerely interested in helping manufacturers implement new manufacturing techniques and processes. Must have good computer skills and be a strong written and verbal communicator. An IMEC Technical Specialist will need tact and diplomacy in dealing with manufacturers, professional associations, government stakeholder representatives, and other service providers.

Consideration will be given to candidates with the proven ability to lead companies down a path of continuous improvement, with the demonstrated capacity to diagnose company needs and effectively communicate value to all levels of the company, from production personnel to top management.

Virtual work environment and standard hours with extended hours and weekend work as required. Position requires travel to remote manufacturing facilities across the state by aircraft and automobile. Driving is an essential function of the job. Applicants must be legally eligible to work in the U.S. This position has a lifting requirement of up to 70 pounds. Applicants must be capable of accessing manufacturing facilities which may not be ADA accessible.

Position requires a combination of virtual work and regular travel with occasional extended travel to remote facilities across the state. Driving is an essential function of the job. Applicants must be legally eligible to work in the U.S. This position has a lifting requirement of up to 70 pounds. Applicants must be capable of accessing manufacturing facilities which may not be ADA accessible. Please submit an electronic application, including (1) cover letter, (2) resume, and (3) the names and contact information for three references. The University of Illinois, Northern Illinois University, Southern Illinois University, and Bradley University conduct background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of contingent offer of employment. Background checks will be performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act. IMEC and its Subrecipient organizations, including Bradley University, SIU, NIU, and UIC are EOE/AA/M/F/Disabled/Veteran Employers.

About IMEC

IMEC is a team of improvement specialists dedicated to providing manufacturers in Illinois with the tools and techniques to excel and compete globally. The experienced hands-on team at IMEC works closely with its clients to plan critical business improvements in all areas of their organization from: Leading their Company, Planning for Success, Growing their Business, Improving their Operations, Focusing on their People, and Deciding with Data.

With more than 50 full-time staff and partners positioned statewide, IMEC delivers the local expertise to not only plan and strategize, but to implement and evaluate the effectiveness of client improvements. In fact, IMEC assists more than 2,500 companies each year with successful business improvement projects.

As a result, IMEC has demonstrated a return on investment that exceeds 19:1. This is made possible as organizations become more effective and efficient.

IMEC team members enjoy their jobs because of the challenge in working with a variety of organizations in a broad range of industries. They also gain satisfaction from providing assistance and advisement to help organizations succeed in a demanding marketplace. Click HERE to learn more about IMEC.