Overview

Description: Summary/ObjectiveThe Maintenance Manager is responsible for the safe, efficient, and compliant operation of all equipment, utilities, and facilities within our long-established bakery plant. Operating in a legacy facility this role demands a hands-on, resourceful leader who thrives on solving complex mechanical problems, sourcing hard-to-find parts, and keeping production running without the luxury of modern, plug-and-play systems. The Maintenance Manager leads a team of technicians and works closely with production, quality, and safety departments to maximize uptime, control costs, and maintain full food safety compliance.Essential FunctionsReasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Equipment & Facility MaintenanceOversee preventive, corrective, and condition-based maintenance programs for bakery equipment, including older-generation mixers, dividers, rounders, proofers, deck and reel ovens, chain conveyors, slicers, wrappers, and refrigeration systems - much of which may no longer have OEM supportManage legacy building infrastructure including HVAC, low-pressure steam systems, older electrical distribution panels, compressed air networks, and water and wastewater systemsDevelop creative repair and fabrication solutions when OEM parts are discontinued or unavailable; coordinate custom machining or fabrication as neededEnsure all facilities, equipment, and utilities meet food-grade standards and GMP requirements.Lead root cause analysis and corrective action for equipment failures, with particular focus on chronic or recurring issues common in high-hour machineryTeam LeadershipRecruit, hire, schedule, and develop a team of maintenance technicians (electrical, mechanical, and multi-craft) with practical, hands-on trade skillsProvide mentorship and technical training, emphasizing hands-on troubleshooting and mechanical aptitude over reliance on automated diagnosticsConduct performance reviews, coaching sessions, and disciplinary actions as neededFoster a culture of accountability, ingenuity, and safetyPlanning & ReliabilityMaintain a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) for work orders, asset history, and spare parts inventory - including cataloging legacy assetsDevelop and manage a robust spare parts program for obsolete or hard-to-source componentsCreate and execute annual maintenance and capital improvement plans that prioritize life-extension strategies for aging assetsIdentify equipment nearing end-of-life and build the business case for capital replacement or major rebuildsCoordinate planned shutdowns and major overhauls with minimal production disruptionRegulatory & Food Safety ComplianceEnsure all maintenance activities comply with FDA, OSHA, EPA, and local regulatory requirements, including those specific to older building construction and electrical codesSupport SQF or other food safety certification audits; develop corrective action plans that address facility and equipment findingsEnforce Lock Out / Tag Out (LOTO), confined space entry, and all applicable safety programsBudget & Vendor ManagementDevelop and manage the annual maintenance department budget, balancing reactive repair costs with strategic investment in aging asset reliabilityIdentify, evaluate, and manage outside contractors and specialty repair vendors for equipment types that require niche expertiseSource spare parts through alternative suppliers, rebuilders, and aftermarket channels when OEM sources are exhaustedIdentify and implement practical cost-saving and energy efficiency improvements Supervisory ResponsibilityDirect supervision of the Maintenance team. Requirements: Required Education and ExperienceAssociate's or Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Technology, or a related field - or substantial equivalent experience in a trades or industrial maintenance roleMinimum 5 years of maintenance experience in food