SummaryThe Maintenance Manager is responsible for leading all maintenance operations within a fast-paced food manufacturing and fresh produce processing environment. This role oversees preventive maintenance programs, equipment reliability, facility maintenance, and maintenance team performance to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant operations. The Maintenance Manager will support production goals by minimizing downtime, improving equipment performance, and ensuring all machinery and facility systems operate in compliance with food safety, OSHA, SQF, FDA, and company standards.
This position requires strong leadership, hands-on technical expertise, and experience working with heavy industrial processing and packaging equipment in a refrigerated food manufacturing environment.
Duties and ResponsibilitiesMaintenance & Equipment Management- Lead and manage all daily maintenance operations for production, packaging, warehouse, and facility equipment.
- Develop and maintain preventive and predictive maintenance programs to minimize downtime and extend equipment life.
- Troubleshoot and coordinate repairs for mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and automated systems.
- Oversee installation, setup, modification, and commissioning of new equipment and machinery.
- Ensure rapid response to production equipment breakdowns and emergency maintenance situations.
- Monitor equipment performance and identify opportunities for continuous improvement and increased efficiency.
- Maintain maintenance logs, repair records, parts inventory, and work orders accurately.
Food Manufacturing & Compliance- Ensure maintenance practices comply with FDA, SQF, HACCP, GMP, OSHA, and company food safety requirements.
- Support audit readiness and participate in customer, regulatory, and third-party audits.
- Ensure proper sanitary design and maintenance procedures for food processing equipment.
- Coordinate maintenance activities to minimize food safety risks and production interruptions.
- Maintain compliance with lockout/tagout (LOTO), machine guarding, and safety procedures.
Leadership & Team Management- Supervise, train, coach, and develop maintenance technicians and maintenance leads.
- Schedule maintenance coverage for multiple shifts, weekends, and emergency situations as needed.
- Establish clear performance expectations and hold team members accountable for safety, quality, and productivity standards.
- Conduct performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, and development planning for maintenance staff.
- Promote a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
Facility & Utility Oversight- Oversee facility systems including refrigeration systems, compressors, HVAC, electrical systems, plumbing, boilers, and building maintenance.
- Coordinate vendor services, contractors, and outside repair companies.
- Manage maintenance inventory, tools, spare parts, and maintenance budget controls.
- Ensure proper operation of forklifts, conveyors, processing equipment, packaging lines, and heavy industrial machinery.
Continuous Improvement- Drive equipment reliability initiatives and operational efficiency improvements.
- Analyze downtime trends and implement corrective actions to improve performance.
- Partner with Production, FSQA, Warehouse, and Operations teams to support production goals and operational improvements.
- Assist with capital improvement projects and facility expansion initiatives.
Other tasks as assigned. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Requirements/Qualifications - Minimum 5-7 years of maintenance leadership experience in food manufacturing, produce processing, or related industrial manufacturing environment.
- Strong experience with heavy industrial equipment, automated production systems, conveyors, packaging machinery, and refrigeration systems.
- Knowledge of electrical systems, PLC troubleshooting, hydraulics, pneumatics, welding, and mechanical systems.
- Experience working in refrigerated or cold production environments preferred.
- Strong understanding of OSHA safety standards, GMPs, SQF, HACCP, and food manufacturing compliance requirements.
- Proven leadership experience managing maintenance teams in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
- Ability to prioritize multiple projects and respond effectively in fast-paced operations.
- Proficient with maintenance management systems (CMMS), Microsoft Office, and production reporting systems.
- Bilingual English/Spanish preferred but not required.
- Must be able to work both buildings
Working conditions- While performing the duties of this job the employee will work in a manufacturing facility and regularly be exposed to:
- Manufacturing environment - heights, loud noises, etc.
- Varying and extreme temperatures (heat/cold and wet environment)
Physical Requirements- Good physical condition with the ability to lift up to 50 lbs frequently
- Must be able to perform the following: standing, climbing, pulling, and or pushing, carrying, grasping, reaching, twisting, turning and stooping
- Ability to walk and/or stand for extended periods of time
