What are the responsibilities and job description for the Maintenance Manager position at Surlean Foods?
Position Overview:
This is not your average job. As a Maintenance Manager in our food manufacturing facility, you will
lead a team in one of the most challenging and rewarding environments. This role demands technical
expertise, leadership, and a relentless commitment to excellence. Maintenance here is a 24/7
operation—it requires grit, adaptability, and the ability to inspire a team to perform at their
best, even under pressure.
lead a team in one of the most challenging and rewarding environments. This role demands technical
expertise, leadership, and a relentless commitment to excellence. Maintenance here is a 24/7
operation—it requires grit, adaptability, and the ability to inspire a team to perform at their
best, even under pressure.
You will oversee the maintenance, repair, and optimization of all equipment and facility systems,
ensuring smooth, efficient, and safe production processes. Your leadership will directly impact the
reliability of our operations and the safety and satisfaction of our team. We’ll equip you with the
tools and support you need to succeed because we understand the sacrifices and dedication this role
requires.
ensuring smooth, efficient, and safe production processes. Your leadership will directly impact the
reliability of our operations and the safety and satisfaction of our team. We’ll equip you with the
tools and support you need to succeed because we understand the sacrifices and dedication this role
requires.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership and Team Empowerment:
• Lead by example, maintaining a strong floor presence during critical operations and
startups.
• Build a motivated, self-sufficient team through mentorship, training, and hands-on
leadership.
• Foster a culture of accountability, trust, and teamwork within the maintenance department and
across other departments.
• Recognize and appreciate the efforts of your team while holding them to high standards.
startups.
• Build a motivated, self-sufficient team through mentorship, training, and hands-on
leadership.
• Foster a culture of accountability, trust, and teamwork within the maintenance department and
across other departments.
• Recognize and appreciate the efforts of your team while holding them to high standards.
Maintenance Strategy and Execution:
• Develop and implement predictive, preventive, and autonomous maintenance strategies for all
facility equipment, including refrigeration, material handling, and production systems.
• Utilize CMMS tools to manage maintenance workflows, optimize spare parts inventory, and analyze
equipment performance.
• Identify and execute opportunities for continuous improvement, leveraging lean manufacturing
tools and root cause analysis.
• Ensure maintenance activities comply with GMP, OSHA, and food safety regulations.
• Track and report key performance indicators (KPIs), including downtime, repair costs, and
equipment reliability.
facility equipment, including refrigeration, material handling, and production systems.
• Utilize CMMS tools to manage maintenance workflows, optimize spare parts inventory, and analyze
equipment performance.
• Identify and execute opportunities for continuous improvement, leveraging lean manufacturing
tools and root cause analysis.
• Ensure maintenance activities comply with GMP, OSHA, and food safety regulations.
• Track and report key performance indicators (KPIs), including downtime, repair costs, and
equipment reliability.
Safety and Compliance:
• Prioritize safety above all else in daily operations.
• Implement and maintain a robust lockout/tagout (LOTO) program, including regular training, daily
audits, and monthly reviews.
• Implement and maintain a robust lockout/tagout (LOTO) program, including regular training, daily
audits, and monthly reviews.
• Conduct regular equipment inspections to ensure safety standards and regulatory
compliance.
• Maintain accurate records of maintenance activities for audits and inspections.
compliance.
• Maintain accurate records of maintenance activities for audits and inspections.
Technical Expertise and Problem Solving:
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex mechanical, electrical, and refrigeration issues.
• Optimize equipment performance to minimize downtime and support production goals.
• Lead efforts to upgrade systems, implement lubrication programs, and address recurring
maintenance challenges.
• Collaborate with Quality Assurance, Operations, and other departments to maintain product and
audit standards.
• Be prepared to handle crisis situations, unplanned equipment failures, and emergency
responses.
• Optimize equipment performance to minimize downtime and support production goals.
• Lead efforts to upgrade systems, implement lubrication programs, and address recurring
maintenance challenges.
• Collaborate with Quality Assurance, Operations, and other departments to maintain product and
audit standards.
• Be prepared to handle crisis situations, unplanned equipment failures, and emergency
responses.
Sustainability and Efficiency:
• Identify opportunities to improve energy efficiency and sustainability within maintenance
operations.
• Implement best practices for reducing waste and optimizing equipment longevity.
operations.
• Implement best practices for reducing waste and optimizing equipment longevity.
What’s in It for You:
• A leadership role where your work directly impacts team success and operational
excellence.
• A company that values your sacrifices and provides the tools and recognition to thrive.
• Opportunities to develop and implement innovative solutions that drive meaningful
results.
• Competitive salary, benefits, and a supportive environment where your efforts are seen and
appreciated.
excellence.
• A company that values your sacrifices and provides the tools and recognition to thrive.
• Opportunities to develop and implement innovative solutions that drive meaningful
results.
• Competitive salary, benefits, and a supportive environment where your efforts are seen and
appreciated.
Qualifications:
• Minimum of 5 years in maintenance, including 2 years in leadership roles within food
manufacturing.
• Expertise in electromechanical troubleshooting and refrigeration systems (ammonia knowledge
preferred).
• PLC programming is a plus but not required.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience working with CMMS tools to manage maintenance workflows and inventory.
• Ability to handle high-pressure situations and emergency breakdowns effectively.
manufacturing.
• Expertise in electromechanical troubleshooting and refrigeration systems (ammonia knowledge
preferred).
• PLC programming is a plus but not required.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience working with CMMS tools to manage maintenance workflows and inventory.
• Ability to handle high-pressure situations and emergency breakdowns effectively.
Summary:
This job isn’t for everyone. It’s tough, demanding, and requires someone ready to lead from the
front. Our Maintenance Manager is more than a title—it’s a responsibility to show up when it
matters, solve problems, and inspire a team to do the same. If you’re looking for a 9-to-5 desk
job, this isn’t it. But if you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and make a real difference, keep
reading.
This job isn’t for everyone. It’s tough, demanding, and requires someone ready to lead from the
front. Our Maintenance Manager is more than a title—it’s a responsibility to show up when it
matters, solve problems, and inspire a team to do the same. If you’re looking for a 9-to-5 desk
job, this isn’t it. But if you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and make a real difference, keep
reading.
What You’ll Do:
• Lead the Team: Be there with your team—on the floor, in the thick of it. Teach them, trust them,
and push them to be their best. When they succeed, you succeed.
• Solve Problems: Keep the equipment running, the downtime low, and the standards high. Use your
skills to fix things right the first time and prevent future breakdowns.
• Make Things Better: Find the weak spots and improve them. Whether it’s predictive maintenance,
team workflows, or equipment upgrades, you’ll be the one driving results.
• Keep Safety First: Lockout/tagout isn’t just a rule; it’s a priority. Regular training, daily
audits, and making sure every technician follows it to the letter is part of the job.
• Stay Ready: Emergencies will happen. The real question is: can you handle them? You’ll need to
think fast, act fast, and keep your team calm under pressure.
What We Expect:
• Experience That Counts: At least 5 years in maintenance, with 2 in food plant leadership. (If
you have worked in food manufacturing, you will know and understand the grind)
• Clear Communication: Utilize internal mechanisms to alert of issues and expected downtime,
escalate significant issues, and do not be afraid to ask for help or get support.
• Skills That Deliver: Troubleshooting mechanical and electrical systems, working with
refrigeration, and handling maintenance software (CMMS). PLC programming is great, but not
required.
• The Right Mindset: Grit, accountability, and a hands-on approach. You don’t shy away from hard
work or tough calls.
• A Commitment to Safety: You don’t cut corners. LOTO, audits, compliance—you lead by example and
hold your team to the highest standard.
Why This Matters:
Our maintenance team is the backbone of our operation. When they’re strong, the whole facility
thrives. We need someone who can handle the pressure, lead with integrity, and show the team
what’s possible. If that’s you, we want to hear from you.
thrives. We need someone who can handle the pressure, lead with integrity, and show the team
what’s possible. If that’s you, we want to hear from you.