Nayan Patel

Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) with over 8 years of progressive experience leading engineering, maintenance, reliability, and capital improvement initiatives within heavy manufacturing and automated industrial environments. Proven ability to improve plant reliability, execute capital projects, manage unionized maintenance teams, and deliver safe, cost-effective engineering solutions that enhance operational performance. Experienced in leading cross-functional teams, developing maintenance strategies, optimizing asset lifecycle performance, and driving continuous improvement through data-driven decision-making.

Strong background in project management, facility infrastructure, predictive maintenance, engineering design review, contractor management, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence.

Certified

Reliability and Maintenance Professional (CMRP) with a hands-on leadership style, strong business acumen, and a passion for building high-performing engineering organizations.

Reliability Engineer | Engineering lead- Capital Projects, Reliability and Asset Management - New Forest Paper Mills (Atlantic Packaging) - Scarborough

(2021-12)

Lead the plant-wide reliability and asset management strategy for a Fourdrinier paper mill, improving Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) from 71% to 84%, reducing quarterly downtime by 12%, and increasing equipment reliability through data-driven maintenance strategies.

• Lead multidisciplinary capital projects from concept through commissioning, including boiler installation, plume elimination system, underground oil-water separator, structural platform installations, dryer section structural rebuilds, and other facility and equipment upgrade projects, ensuring projects are completed safely, on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with engineering standards.
• Prepare capital justifications, develop project scopes, coordinate engineering design reviews, manage contractors and vendors, oversee procurement activities, and support commissioning and startup of new equipment and infrastructure.
• Develop and execute predictive and preventive maintenance strategies including vibration analysis, oil analysis, ultrasonic lubrication, and equipment criticality assessments, reducing reactive maintenance by 17% while improving asset lifecycle performance.
• Collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, Production, Safety, and external engineering consultants to deliver productivity improvements, operational excellence initiatives, equipment upgrades, and long-term plant reliability objectives.
• Perform Root Cause Analysis (5-Why, FMEA, failure trend analysis) on chronic equipment failures, implementing sustainable corrective actions that improve safety, reliability, and manufacturing performance.
• Support annual maintenance and capital planning activities, evaluate equipment replacement opportunities, develop technical specifications, and assist with maintenance budget preparation and long-term asset management planning.
• Serve as Acting Maintenance Manager in a unionized manufacturing environment, providing leadership to 22 maintenance trades personnel (Millwrights, Electricians, and Instrumentation Technicians) while coordinating daily maintenance execution, production support, contractor activities, and regulatory compliance.
• Lead engineering compliance initiatives including insurance audits, equipment inspections, plant risk assessments, Lockout/Tagout improvements, and engineering documentation to maintain environmental, health, safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Champion continuous improvement through TPM, reliability engineering, precision maintenance, KPI development, and engineering best practices to improve equipment performance, reduce operating costs, and maximize plant productivity. Partnered with Safety Manager to strengthen Lockout/Tagout procedures and regulatory compliance; contributed to TPM implementation and KPI development.
• Provide technical leadership in precision maintenance practices including laser alignment, balancing, bearing installation, and gearbox troubleshooting.

Mechanical Maintenance Planner | Maintenance Planning & Project coordinator - New Forest Paper Mills (Atlantic Packaging) - Scarborough

(2021-04 - 2021-12)

• Planned and scheduled preventive, corrective, and shutdown maintenance activities using CMMS (ManagerPlus), ensuring work packages were fully scoped, planned, and ready for execution.
• Coordinated maintenance planning with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and contractors to optimize equipment availability, minimize downtime, and support production objectives.
• Planned major shutdowns and capital work by developing project schedules, resource plans, contractor coordination, crane utilization plans, rigging plans, permit requirements, and startup activities.
• Managed procurement of parts, contractors, rental equipment, and technical services while preparing purchase requisitions, technical scopes, and cost estimates to support timely project execution.
• Maintained CMMS asset data, equipment documentation, maintenance procedures, technical specifications, and engineering records to improve maintenance efficiency and work quality.
• Supervised maintenance execution during planned outages, ensuring safe work practices, contractor compliance, schedule adherence, and successful completion of maintenance and capital projects.

Mechanical Maintenance Planner - Ocado Engineering - Vaughan CFC1

(2020-03 - 2021-04)

• Planned and coordinated electrical and mechanical preventive and corrective maintenance for automated robotic systems (Bots) and material handling equipment (MHE), ensuring safe, timely execution and minimal grid downtime.
• Utilized Microsoft SQL and system diagnostics to analyze sensor I/O data during equipment faults, support Root Cause Analysis (RCA), and improve system performance through data-driven recommendations.
• Prepared detailed job plans including SOPs, electrical schematics, mechanical drawings, and technical documentation; ensured proper parts staging, resource allocation, and CMMS accuracy from planning through work order closure.
• Supported commissioning and software rollouts for newly installed automated systems (Pick Stations, DTMs, Decant Stations), ensuring operational readiness and reliability.
• Collaborated cross-functionally with operations, engineering, and management to prioritize work, coordinate shutdown activities, enforce safety compliance, and train new hires and technicians on robotic systems.
• Designed z-tape jig which has reduced the labor for repairing z-tape by 50% by halving the number of techs required to perform the job (currently the jig is being used in UK, Australia, Spain, Canada and USA by all employees).

Mechanical Engineer - General Refrigeration Group Inc - North York

(2018-02 - 2020-03)

Manufacturer of insulated metal panels, insulated doors, refrigeration systems, freezers, coolers, and other food equipment.

• Led manufacturing process improvements through data analysis and Root Cause Analysis (RCA), enhancing equipment reliability, reducing rejection rates, and improving production uptime.
• Developed daily inspection and quality control systems for foaming press operations, improving panel consistency, reducing defects, and strengthening operational reliability.
• Conducted time studies and line balancing initiatives to improve throughput and optimize workflow between assembly and sheet metal operations.
• Prepared engineering layouts, AutoCAD drawings, BOMs, cost estimates, and installation manuals; supported project execution from design through production and shipment.
• Supervised a team of 16 technicians, ensured 5S implementation and safe handling of hazardous chemicals (isocyanate).

M.Eng

P.Eng