Maintenance Manager (located in Sussex WI)

Role Overview:

Equipment Reliability & Uptime Optimization:

· Collaborate with production teams and utilize the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) metrics to establish and refine maintenance schedules.

· Develop and implement robust predictive and preventative maintenance (PM & PdM) programs to maximize equipment reliability and minimize downtime.

· Monitor and analyze equipment performance data to identify trends, prevent failures, and optimize maintenance strategies.

· Recommend modifications, upgrades, or replacements of equipment to improve uptime and reduce maintenance costs.

· Lead root cause analysis (RCA) for equipment failures and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Leadership & Team Development:

· Provide strong leadership, coaching, and mentorship to the maintenance team, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

· Partner with People & Culture to assess skills, implement training programs, and develop career paths for maintenance personnel, as well as assist in hiring staff such as Maintenance Technicians

· Conduct daily shift meetings to align on priorities, review performance metrics, and address challenges proactively.

· Ensure compliance with OSHA, GMPs (Good Manufacturing Practices), and food safety regulations while championing a strong safety culture.

Capital & Process Improvement Projects:

· Collaborate with leadership to execute a capital improvement plan aligned with business objectives and operational efficiencies.

· Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives, including Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) methodologies.

· Analyze and solve production challenges related to equipment inefficiencies and process bottlenecks.

· Manage and oversee capital projects, including equipment installations, upgrades, and expansions.

Inventory & Budget Management:

· Optimize parts and equipment inventory using an automated inventory tracking system to ensure critical parts are available without excessive stock.

· Work closely with purchasing and vendors to procure quality parts and equipment cost-effectively.

· Manage maintenance budgets, controlling costs while ensuring timely and efficient repairs.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication:

· Partner with Production, R&D, Capital Planning, and Procurement teams to align maintenance strategies with operational goals.

· Provide real-time, data-driven insights to plant leadership for informed decision-making.

· Ensure clear and effective inter-shift communication among maintenance teams.

Regulatory Compliance & Safety Leadership (working in conjunction with our Safety Manager)

· Ensure compliance with OSHA, FDA, USDA, FSMA, and other food industry regulations applicable to maintenance and equipment operations.

· Act as the Field Safety Representative (FSR) for the plant, overseeing Operating Permits and regulatory documentation.

· Lead initiatives to enhance workplace safety, including lockout/tagout (LOTO), confined space entry, and machine guarding procedures.

· Oversee refrigeration system PSM per 29 CFR 1910.119.

Education & Certification

· Bachelors degree in Engineering, Maintenance Management, or a related technical field (or equivalent work experience).

· Certifications such as CMRP (Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional), Six Sigma, HACCP, or Lean Manufacturing are a plus.

Experience & Skills

· 8+ years of maintenance leadership experience in manufacturing; food production industry preferred.

· 5+ years of supervisory or management experience, with a proven track record of leading technical teams.

· Expertise in CMMS, SCADA, PLCs, and automation systems for high-speed manufacturing equipment.

· Strong understanding of predictive and preventative maintenance strategies and asset management best practices.

· Working knowledge of budgeting, capital planning, and cost control in a maintenance setting.

· Commitment to continuous improvement, safety, and regulatory compliance in food manufacturing.

· Excellent problem-solving, leadership, and interpersonal communication skills.

Notes:

· This role pays between $120,000 - $140,000 depending on qualifications and experience + a 15% bonus. 

· This is an on-site role based in Sussex WI