Maintenance Manager - Consumer Products

Position Overview:

This Maintenance Manager will schedule and provide directions to the industrial maintenance technician (IMT) employees to maintain the plant facility and equipment. The Maintenance Manager will administer company policies, assist in training employees, and be active as a liaison between production departments, outside contractors, and the Plant Engineer.

This position requires a person with strong knowledge and experience in the maintenance and repair of mechanical and electrical components of dairy processing production equipment and systems. The Maintenance Manager must demonstrate and perform all tasks in a safe manner to ensure the achievement of performance, quality, service, and cost objectives. The Maintenance Manager will develop, train, and comply with all standard operating procedures and requirements as directed by standard manufacturing policies established by the company.

Job Responsibilities:

• Direct plant maintenance teams with planning, training, execution of target objectives and building a preventative maintenance excellence program in a dairy ingredient manufacturing facility.
• Manage plant maintenance programs for each assigned shift.
• Administer and support plant policies and procedures to maximize maintenance and operational goals.
• Foster well-trained / motivated maintenance teams.
• Demonstrate knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental regulations and their impact on the company.
• Coordinates the planning, developing, scheduling, and delivery of maintenance and operational education / training programs, including management training.
• Facilitates shift meetings and guides the maintenance team.
• Excellent oral communication and customer service skills, establishes and maintains effective working relationships with other employees; effective written communication skills to create and deliver reports to senior management.
• The manufacturing facility will be a 24/7/365 operation due to the raw milk supply demands of the dairy manufacturing industry.
• Investigate and respond to consumer and customer complaints. This function will work directly with the quality assurance and engineering departments.
• Prepare weekly, quarterly, and annual operational performance reports where necessary.
• Accountable for the maintenance efficiency program to include equipment repairs, labor and overhead required to achieve those targets
• Coordinate and participate with all departments to help initiate and support all company rules, policies, and procedures.
• Work with vendors and suppliers to bring the best technologies, best practices and most dependable supplies and equipment at the most favorable price.
• Develop objectives, standard operating procedures, and performance standards for staff and prioritize projects within the maintenance department to meet departmental and company objectives.
• Support and lead the maintenance staff on the other shifts in a professional manner.
• The ability to establish and maintain a professional and effective working relationship with employees at all levels in the organization.
• Ensure preventive maintenance program is performed in accordance with company standards.

Essential Knowledge/Skills:

• Will specialize in membrane filtration, centrifuge separation, evaporation, and dryer technology. This will include equipment operations knowledge, maintenance and a complete understanding of all these systems.
• Provide maintenance support throughout the operational departments. Support includes work order and PM scheduling, employee training/coaching, program development, equipment knowledge and the ability to execute daily plans to achieve maintenance and operational targets.
• Communicate with and develop good working relationships with external entities (FDA, Ag & Markets, Weights and Measures, USDA, OSHA, etc.). This function is essential to this position.
• Assist the Plant Engineer in developing an annual budget for the maintenance departments and meet this budget.
• Recommends and implements control measures for identified risks.
• Work with the plant management and direct the maintenance programs to include plant utilities, refrigeration, maintenance, wastewater, PM programs, employee developmental programs, cost reductions, equipment specifications, product specifications and any other related functions for an excellent facility.
• Audit the plant operational and maintenance programs. Audit documentation and maintain required records. Work with contract vendors and suppliers.
• Ensure that employees are performing their job duties in a safe and efficient manner.
• Responsible for maintenance and repair of mechanical and electrical components of production equipment and systems.
• Ability to troubleshoot and repair mechanical, electrical, and PLC equipment.
• Use of common maintenance hand tools and specialty tools to repair and maintain equipment.
• Maintain ammonia refrigeration equipment to comply with all state and federal regulations.
• Maintain plant lubrication program to properly lubricate and maintain all plant equipment within specified standards.
• Maintain compressed air, steam, condensate, chemical transfer, water, glycol, and chilled water, tower water, and hot water, sanitary waste, natural gas, printing/coding, HVAC, and other support systems throughout the manufacturing plant.
• Maintain manufacturing equipment in a desirable manner to achieve target key performance indicators within each department.
• Troubleshoot and perform basic maintenance related to all processing equipment, experience with high and low voltage electrical.
• Maintain proper inventory levels of all manufacturing supplies; ordering parts and supplies to maintain equipment.
• Perform minor plumbing, building repair and maintenance.
• Work with technical experts to gain complete knowledge of processing/manufacturing equipment operation, cleaning, and maintenance.
• Reading/interpreting equipment manuals, blueprints, and other sources of information to ensure proper operation and repair of equipment.
• Prioritize assignments and independently manage time to satisfy business needs.
• Demonstrate an understanding of productivity, quality, and safety. Generate corrective action requests and document change requests when necessary.
• Maintain equipment and area cleanliness to ensure compliance with all GMP standards.
• Assist quality, sanitation, warehouse, and operations personnel as required.

Education/Experience:

• 2 year-technical degree, associate’s degree or equivalent manufacturing experience with maintenance of mechanical and electrical components with course work in Food Technology, Dairy Science, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology or Engineering preferred.
• 5 years of hands-on equipment operation and maintenance experience is required. This position requires a person with strong knowledge and experience in plant maintenance programs, regulatory compliance, food safety, quality programs and processing standards as applied to the dairy manufacturing industry.
• 3 years of Supervisory / management experience
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency with Computerized Maintenance Management Software, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Visio and Excel.
• Ammonia refrigeration experience.
• Familiarity with basic processing equipment and calibration requirements.
• Ability to understand technical records and communicate technical data.
• Ability to work independently or within a group with minimal supervision.
• Ability to lift to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work-off shifts or other work schedules as required to manage all personnel and as determined by business needs, including overtime as required.
• Working knowledge of GMP, FDA, SQF and other regulatory requirements helpful.

Environmental Considerations:

• Must be able to work in environments with varying temperatures.
• Potential exposure to ingredients used in food manufacturing, including allergens.
• May encounter chemicals commonly used in food processing and distribution facilities.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to navigate all areas of the facility, including office spaces, warehouse areas, and the exterior perimeter.
• Must wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) as necessary to safely perform job duties.
• Ability to stand, sit, and carry out tasks throughout a full shift, with appropriate meal breaks.
• Physically capable of standing, bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, twisting, lifting, pushing, pulling, climbing, balancing, and crouching as needed.
• Able to lift and move items weighing up to 50 pounds independently and heavier objects with reasonable accommodations.
• Visual acuity sufficient to perform job duties accurately.
• Capable of assessing weights, judging distances, and working at various heights.