Maintenance Manager

ZipRecruiter; Reading; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading candy manufacturer in Reading is looking for a Maintenance Manager to oversee facility maintenance and ensure continuous production. You will lead a team, manage preventive maintenance, and ensure compliance with safety regulations. The ideal candidate has over 7 years in maintenance and experience in a food production environment. Strong leadership and troubleshooting skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of progressive maintenance experience in a manufacturing environment.
• At least 3 years in a supervisory or management role.
• Experience in a food production or FDA-regulated facility.

Responsibilities

• Oversee maintenance and repair of production machinery.
• Develop preventive and predictive maintenance programs.
• Lead root cause analysis and capital improvement projects.

Skills

Troubleshooting skills

Leadership skills

Team management

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

Technical certification or associate degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

CMMS

Microsoft Office Suite

Welding equipment

Job description

#ComeJoinTheFun at RM Palmer as our Maintenance Manager!

At R.M. Palmer Company, our mission is clear: "Driving innovation that celebrates life’s special moments, by focusing on value and integrity while making candy fun in everything we do."

We take pride in blending creativity and tradition to deliver products that spark joy, bring smiles, and create lasting memories —one chocolate at a time.

The Maintenance Manager leads all aspects of facility maintenance, equipment reliability, and utility systems to ensure safe, efficient, and continuous production operations. This role oversees a skilled team and is responsible for preventive and corrective maintenance, capital projects, regulatory compliance, and departmental budgeting.

Maintenance Manager Responsibilities

• Oversee maintenance, repair, and reliability of production machinery, utilities, infrastructure, and facility systems (mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic), including HVAC, compressed air, and water systems.
• Develop, implement, and manage preventive (PM) and predictive (PdM) maintenance programs to maximize equipment availability, minimize downtime, and ensure compliance with OSHA, FDA, SQF, and internal safety and quality standards.
• Lead root cause analysis, corrective action planning, and capital improvement projects, coordinating upgrades, expansions, and installations with internal teams and external contractors.
• Supervise, train, and develop a multidisciplinary maintenance team, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and safety; conduct performance evaluations and regular team meetings.
• Manage spare parts inventory, procurement, vendor relationships, service agreements, and maintenance-related budgets while identifying cost-saving opportunities without compromising safety or performance.
• Maintain accurate records of maintenance activities, work orders, inspections, and audits.
• Collaborate with production, quality, and sanitation teams to minimize downtime and support operational goals.
• Ensure proper facility upkeep, housekeeping, sanitation, waste disposal, and timely reporting of food safety concerns.
• Participate in safety audits, inspections, and risk assessments, enforcing PPE use and safe work practices across the team.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required; technical certification or associate degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Technology, or related field is a plus.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive maintenance experience in a manufacturing environment, with at least 3 years in a supervisory or management role.
• Experience in a food production or FDA-regulated facility.
• Strong background in packaging and processing equipment maintenance.
• Extensive knowledge of mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, schematics, and technical manuals.
• Strong troubleshooting and diagnostic skills.
• Proficiency with CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Systems) and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Solid understanding of GMP, HACCP, OSHA, and environmental regulations.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task, and adapt in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Proficiency with hand and power tools, welding equipment (gas/arc), diagnostic instruments, and mechanical lift systems.