Maintenance Manager

Sleeman Breweries Ltd.; Guelph; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

RRSP matching

Work-life balance

Benefits for family

Parental leave top-up

Employee product credit

Tuition reimbursement

Employee assistance program

Discount program with partners

Job summary

Sleeman Breweries Ltd. in Ontario, Canada, is seeking a Maintenance Manager to lead regional maintenance with a focus on reliability, safety and continuous improvement.

You will direct activities across the maintenance function, develop plans, manage budgets, and mentor a high-performing team in a dynamic brewery environment. The role requires a science/engineering background with 7+ years in food manufacturing maintenance and leadership, plus willingness to travel and be present on the brewery

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in Science, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 7 years of food manufacturing maintenance experience, including 3 years in management.
• Experience with CMMS and GMPs; strong leadership and planning abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and budgeting skills.
• Strong change management and prioritization capabilities.
• Willingness to travel as required and work on the brewery floor.
• Ability to build and mentor high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Direct all activities of the regional maintenance department to maximize productivity, safety and customer service.
• Establish a maintenance work process system with planning, scheduling, execution and follow-up.
• Ensure a safe workplace and collaborate with Health & Safety on new processes.
• Develop and monitor metrics with Corporate Operations and drive improvements.
• Lead regional maintenance projects, standards, and capital initiatives.
• Oversee maintenance shutdowns and liaise with regulatory bodies as needed.
• Partner with HR to hire, train, and develop the maintenance team.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Strategic planning

Problem solving

Project management

Travel

Interpersonal skills

Education

Post-secondary education in Science/Engineering or related

Tools

CMMS

ERP systems

MS Office

Job description

At Sleeman Breweries, you’ll have access to benefits that support you today and help you plan for tomorrow:

• RRSP-matching program to help you save for retirement
• A commitment to work-life balance
• Benefits coverage for partners and kids
• Parental leave top-up for primary and secondary caregivers
• Employee product credit
• Tuition reimbursement program for eligible employees
• Employee and family assistance program
• Discount program with access to perks from big brands and local favourites
• Professional development opportunities including mentorship and leadership development

If you require an accommodation or an accessible format at any stage of the application or hiring process, please let the recruitment team know. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible experience for all candidates.

Why Join Sleeman Breweries?

What’s your story? Ours is about pushing boundaries to create Canada’s third-largest brewery known for unique craft and world-class brands enjoyed across the country.

As part of Sapporo Breweries, our story includes Sleeman Breweries in Ontario, Okanagan Spring Brewery in B.C., Wild Rose Brewery in Alberta, and Unibroue in Quebec.

When you join Sleeman Breweries, you join a company deeply committed to quality, sustainability, and creating an outstanding employee experience. People here care about what they do and the people they work with. Write your next chapter with us at Sleeman Breweries.

Get an inside look at what it’s like working at Sleeman Breweries by following @LifeAtSleeman on Instagram

Purpose and Impact

At Sleeman Breweries, quality and innovation are at the heart of everything we do. Your leadership will help inspire a culture where people feel valued, supported, and motivated to do their best work every day. As Maintenance Manager, you will lead the regional maintenance function to maximize equipment reliability, operational efficiency, safety, quality, and customer service while supporting continuous improvement and long-term business objectives.

Standardize and Optimize Operations

• Direct all activities of the regional maintenance department including maintenance of regional equipment, facilities, and utilities (i.e. Refrigeration, steam) and related planning to ensure the highest levels of productivity, efficiency, quality, and customer service at the lowest cost
• Establish a maintenance work process system including work identification, planning, scheduling, execution and follow-up. Integrate a compliance measurement system, parts and supplies purchasing, inventory control, service contracts, resource allocation, and training to optimize the entire maintenance system
• Ensure a safe and healthy workplace that encourages high levels of performance supported by an environment of coaching and feedback; identify and correct unsafe practices. Work with Health and Safety to establish and implement new or revised processes, as necessary
• Ensure metrics are in-place to track and monitor performance; work collaboratively with Corporate Operations to establish, implement, and standardize metrics; communicate key metrics to all department personnel; and implement corrective actions to address identified gaps. Ensure equipment is maintained to meet target efficiency and reliability standards
• Provide input to new maintenance equipment selection, design, layout and installation
• Ensure all policies and procedures are followed for quality, safety, and collective agreements
• Lead and/or support strategic continuous improvement initiatives
• Lead or oversee regional maintenance related projects including setting standards, managing timelines, resourcing, and outcomes
• Manage maintenance shutdown process for region
• Act as a key liaison for and ensure compliance with municipal and provincial government regulatory issues related to the site

Business Planning

• As a member of the brewery leadership team, contribute to the development of the brewery vision in support of the overall vision, mission and values. Develop an annual action plan including strategies, activities and resources for the Maintenance function that support the brewery vision. Provide input to long term process improvements and planning
• Participate in the national capital expenditure process to allocate funding on a priority basis to meet regional maintenance objectives and provide support to implement capital initiatives
• Work collaboratively with the Corporate Technical function to identify gaps and improve systems (e.g., quality, food safety, health and safety, engineering)

Budgeting and Financial Management

• Develop and ensure work is performed within parameters of annual budgets for Maintenance. Work with staff to track and monitor financial performance throughout the year using the LE process. Make adjustments as required to achieve targets.
• Participate in the national capital expenditure process to allocate funding on a priority basis to meet regional maintenance objectives
• Provide oversight to develop maintenance purchasing standards and preferred suppliers for region and to ensure the efficiency/reliability of parts and materials suppliers

Build a High Performing Team

• Ensure key position objectives for team are aligned with departmental and brewery goals; set expectations for staff and provide regular feedback and performance assessment/management; take action to address performance gaps
• Identify performance gaps and training needs. Work with HR and the management team to ensure appropriate training is delivered and the effectiveness is measured
• Identify and justify appropriate resources for team, and work with HR through the hiring process
• Maintain strong relationships with employees through appropriate methods of communication
• Work as part of brewery leadership team to create a culture of continuous improvement focused on health and safety, quality, efficiency, customer service and cost
• Create a culture of employee involvement where process ownership is encouraged on all levels
• Promote the company’s vision, mission, and values in order to increase employee engagement and maximize employee performance.
• Support the company’s continuous improvement initiatives to improve working conditions
• Create and annually update personal development plans for self and team; maintain current knowledge of the field

Food Safety

• Lead and uphold the Food Safety Management System (FSMS) by embedding its requirements into all relevant processes in their departments, ensuring adequate resources, and fostering a culture of compliance, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Empower others and reinforcing leadership across all levels to maintain and enhance food safety performance.

Skills and Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in Science, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 7 years of food manufacturing maintenance experience, including at least 3 years of management experience.
• Experience working with Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS).
• Working knowledge of food safety standards and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
• Demonstrated leadership ability in managing multidisciplinary teams and driving accountability.
• Strong change management, problem-solving, decision-making, and prioritization skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presentation and reporting capabilities.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Strategic planning capability with the ability to balance short- and long-term business objectives.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications; experience with ERP systems is an asset.
• Knowledge of applicable legislation, regulations, and standards including MOL, MOE, TSSA, ESA, and CFIA requirements.
• Ability to demonstrate behaviours that support organizational values.
• Ability to travel as required and respond outside normal working hours when necessary.
• Approximately 25% of work is performed in a production environment. The role requires regular presence on the brewery floor to support maintenance operations, project execution, safety initiatives, and team leadership.