Job Description

Maintenance Manager

Engineering and Maintenance | Reports to Director of Engineering | Exempt | Full-time; schedule varies, overtime as needed.

Position Summary

This position is to direct and manage operations of the Maintenance department in a professional manner, aligning with staffing, scheduling, quality, communication, safety, and efficiency of department metrics. This position will give direction, monitor, training, and manage the maintenance department and it’s function from routine preventative maintenance to equipment installation and to other improvement projects as they might relate to buildings, property, or equipment. All work performed is in a safe and GMP environment compliant manner adhering to safety and quality standards (including SQF and OSHA).

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the maintenance teams by aligning and setting priorities through assigning work, monitoring performance, and ensuring timely completion of work orders, projects, and preventive maintenance activities.
• Manage the preventive maintenance program, equipment inspections, and troubleshooting efforts to improve asset reliability, reduce unplanned downtime, and support safe, efficient plant operations.
• Plan and execute repairs, shutdowns, installations, and capital improvement projects, including evaluation and replacement of obsolete equipment with more reliable and energy-efficient solutions.
• Supervise staffing, scheduling, training, coaching, and performance management for maintenance personnel while supporting employee development, retention, and effective cross-functional teamwork.
• Promote and enforce compliance with all safety, food safety, GMP, SQF, OSHA, HAZMAT, and company policy requirements, and respond promptly to identified hazards, incidents, near misses, and audit findings.
• Partner with Production, Quality, Human Resources, and other departments to address maintenance priorities, employee concerns, operational issues, and continuous improvement opportunities.
• Oversee MRO inventory, parts ordering, receiving, and storeroom practices to maintain accurate stock levels, support timely repairs, and improve cost efficiency.
• Coordinate and manage outside contractors and vendors, including scope, scheduling, safety expectations, insurance documentation, service quality, and cost control.
• Monitor departmental performance in areas such as overtime, customer service, work order completion, audit readiness, quality support, and plant conditions, and complete corrective actions as needed.
• Identify and implement cost-saving, reliability, and process-improvement initiatives, including root cause analysis, engineering controls, and break down analysis for major improvements.

Communication & Collaboration

• Reporting: Deliver weekly Executive Summaries and project health dashboards (KPIs) to the leadership team.
• Act as the "bridge" between technical engineers (Controls, Mechanical) and non-technical business leaders.
• Mediate competing priorities between "Project Work" and "Production Needs" to maintain facility output during upgrades. 
• Participate in leadership meetings to support the business while driving positive participation and communication. 

Financial Accountability & Performance Metrics

• Manage the annual maintenance operating budget and explain monthly variances, with a target of maintaining total spend within ±3% of approved budget unless otherwise authorized.
• Participate in maintaining a capital plan processes for equipment, facilities, utilities, and infrastructure improvements, including cost estimates, risk justification, and payback analysis for major projects.
• Prioritize capital requests based on safety, regulatory compliance, asset reliability, production impact, and return on investment.
• Control repair and maintenance spend by reducing emergency repair costs, increasing planned work, and improving parts usage and labor efficiency.
• Track and report key department metrics, including PM completion rate, equipment uptime, reactive versus planned maintenance ratio, work order backlog, overtime, parts spend, and contractor spend.
• Target PM completion of 90% or greater, planned maintenance at a minimum of 70% or greater of total maintenance hours, and measurable year-over-year reduction in unplanned downtime.
• Review contractor and vendor performance for cost, responsiveness, quality, and safety compliance, and negotiate pricing and service agreements to support cost control and service reliability.
• Maintain vendor and outside service spend within approved limits and identify annual cost-reduction opportunities through sourcing, standardization, inventory optimization, and preventive maintenance improvements.

Education & Experience

• An associate degree in industrial maintenance, engineering technology, mechanical, electrical, or related technical field or a related discipline is required. 
• Minimum 7 years of progressive maintenance experience in manufacturing, food processing, or industrial environment.
• Minimum 3 years of leadership experience supervising maintenance technicians, mechanics, boiler operators, or related skilled trades.
• Demonstrated experience leading preventive maintenance programs, equipment troubleshooting, shutdown planning, contractor coordination, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience managing maintenance budgets, capital projects, spare parts inventory, and outside service providers preferred. 
• Preferred certifications/licenses: OSHA 30 preferred; Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP) preferred; boiler or refrigeration certification preferred where applicable; HAZMAT Operations Level training required or ability to obtain within established timeframe; valid driver's license preferred if job duties require travel between facilities or off-site vendor visits. 

Core Competencies

• Technical skills: Strong knowledge of preventive and predictive maintenance, root cause analysis, CMMS/work order systems, mechanical systems, electrical systems, boilers, steam systems, ammonia or refrigeration systems, pumps, valves, PLC-related troubleshooting support, welding/fabrication coordination, and MRO inventory control.
• Systems and reporting: Proficiency in Microsoft Office and maintenance reporting tools, with the ability to analyze KPIs, maintenance costs, downtime trends, backlog, and asset performance data.
• Safety and compliance: Working knowledge of OSHA requirements, lockout/tagout, GMPs, food safety, SQF standards, incident investigation, and contractor safety requirements.
• Leadership skills: Ability to lead, coach, develop, schedule, and hold teams accountable; set priorities; manage conflict; communicate clearly across departments; and build a culture of safety, urgency, and continuous improvement.
• Planning and execution: Strong project planning, shutdown coordination, prioritization, vendor management, and decision-making skills with the ability to balance production demands and maintenance needs.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work shifts of at least 12 hours and to sit or stand for extended periods, as needed.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally, as required.
• Ability to move throughout the facility to assess inventory, equipment, and work areas, including the ability to safely climb ladders to access elevated storage or work locations.
• Visual acuity sufficient to review documents, computer screens, equipment, and inventory items.
• Ability to walk frequently throughout the facility, including production, warehouse, utility, and exterior areas.
• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, and climb as needed to inspect equipment, utilities, and building systems.
• Ability to work in varying environmental conditions, including heat, cold, humidity, noise, dust, and wet surfaces.
• Ability to safely access elevated platforms, mezzanines, ladders, and stairs.
• Ability to use hands and fingers for handling tools, controls, keyboards, and mobile devices.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, hard hats, respirators, and safety footwear, as applicable.
• Ability to respond to business needs outside normal working hours, including nights, weekends, and emergency call-ins, as required.
• Ability to work safely around moving mechanical equipment, energized systems, chemicals, steam, compressed air, and other industrial hazards.
• Sufficient hearing and verbal communication ability to communicate effectively in person, by radio, and in high-noise environments.
• Ability to travel between departments, buildings, or off-site locations, if required.

Reporting Requirements

• Provide weekly status updates on work order backlog, critical inventory issues, and maintenance priorities to the Director of Engineering.
• Provide regular recommendations to the Director of Engineering regarding MRO inventory additions, standardization opportunities, and process improvements.
• Attend weekly cross-functional meetings to review work order priorities, project status, and departmental issues.
• Maintain accurate documentation and report inventory accuracy based on cycle counts and physical inventory results.

Disclaimer: The requirements and responsibilities outlined in this job description describe the general nature and level of work performed in this role. They are not intended to be a complete list of all duties, responsibilities, or skills required. The company reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties as needed.