Sawmill Maintenance Manager

Vanderwell; Town of Slave Lake; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanderwell is seeking a Maintenance Manager for their manufacturing facilities in Slave Lake, Alberta. This role entails overseeing maintenance operations and leading a multidisciplinary team while ensuring regulatory compliance and safety. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in industrial maintenance, technical knowledge, and strong leadership skills.

Benefits

Competitive wages with full benefits plan

Optional RSP plans

Stable, long-term employment

Qualifications

• 7+ years of leadership experience in industrial maintenance.
• Proficiency with mechanical, electrical, and automation systems.
• Experience with reliability-centered maintenance and root cause analysis.

Responsibilities

• Oversee maintenance operations, including planning and execution.
• Lead a team of millwrights, electricians, and mechanics.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and mentor front-line leaders.

Skills

Leadership Experience

Technical Knowledge

Maintenance Planning

Data-driven Strategies

Continuous Improvement

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Education

Red Seal Certification (Millwright or Electrician)

PMP, MMP, CMRP, or Lean Six Sigma Certification

Tools

CMMS Platforms

Job description

Who We Are

Vanderwell is an Alberta, family-owned company operating in northern Alberta for more than 80 years. We have modern sawmill, planer mill, and pellet mill facilities, which produce dimensional lumber, wood pellets, shavings, and chips for wholesale customers.

We’re a major employer in the local region, we have more than 160 employees working throughout the operation -- mill production, sales & shipping, woodlands, truck and mobile equipment shops, and administration. Contract and part-time employees are also employed in maintenance, transportation, and seasonal activities.

What We Offer

Vanderwell offers stable, long-term employment which provides our employees with a good standard of living. We offer competitive wages with a full benefits plan, as well as optional RSP plans.

The Opportunity

We are currently looking to hire a Maintenance Manager for our manufacturing facilities inSlave Lake, Alberta.Job duties include:

• Oversee all aspects of maintenance operations, including mechanical, electrical, and automation systems, as well as mobile equipment and the truck fleet.
• Lead a multidisciplinary team of millwrights, electricians, mobile equipment mechanics, and planner.
• Ensure efficient planning and execution of preventive and predictive maintenance programs using the CMMS.
• Monitor and improve KPIs such as downtime, MTTR, PM compliance, and maintenance cost per MFBM.
• Coordinate with production teams to align maintenance schedules with operational needs.
• Lead major shutdowns, inspections, repairs, and capital installation projects.
• Ensure contractor management, regulatory compliance, and safe work execution throughout all maintenance activities.
• Support the site’s capital planning and budgeting process, including identification of asset renewal needs.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to reliability, safety, and cost efficiency.
• Mentor and coach front-line leaders and trades to develop internal capabilities.

Working Conditions:

• Exposed to noise, dust, falling debris, moving machinery, weather extremes, splinters, slipping and tripping hazards.
• Lifting heavy, awkward objects and climbing on equipment may be required.
• Required use of PPE appropriate for the task and working conditions.

Must have:

• 7+ years of leadership experience in industrial maintenance, ideally in a sawmill or similar manufacturing environment.
• Strong technical knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and automation systems.
• Proven experience in team development, maintenance planning, and execution.
• Proficiency with CMMS platforms and data-driven maintenance strategies.
• Familiarity with reliability-centered maintenance (RCM), root cause analysis, and continuous improvement.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Red Seal certification (Millwright or Electrician) preferred.
• PMP, MMP, CMRP, or Lean Six Sigma certification considered an asset.
• CandidatesMUST either live in the local community or be willing to relocate.

If this position sounds like a fit for you, please apply directly through the portal. We thank all candidates for their interest; only candidates selected to advance in our recruitment process will be contacted.