Area Maintenance Lead-3

Mars; Ohio; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Mars is seeking an Area Maintenance Lead 3 to oversee maintenance and reliability in a designated production area. You will lead all maintenance activities, drive planned shutdowns, and reduce downtime while ensuring safe, compliant operations.

You will partner with Operations and Improvement teams to eliminate root causes of failures, mentor technicians, and develop area capabilities. The role requires hands-on leadership on the production floor and strong CMMS proficiency.

Qualifications

• 4–6 years of maintenance, reliability, or technical experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in maintenance planning and scheduling.
• Strong electrical and mechanical troubleshooting knowledge.
• Experience with preventive maintenance programs and maintenance management systems.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office and CMMS platforms (SAP, Maximo, eMaint, Fiix, or similar).
• Proven problem-solving skills utilizing root cause analysis methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead all maintenance activities and resources within an assigned production area.
• Execute planned maintenance shutdowns safely and effectively while minimizing downtime.
• Own area maintenance performance and drive reduction of planned and unplanned maintenance losses.
• Provide technical leadership and support for maintenance execution and troubleshooting.
• Provide after-hours technical support when required.
• Lead Root Cause Analysis (RCA) investigations and implement corrective actions to eliminate recurring failures.
• Own Breakdown Elimination and Defect Management Daily Management Systems (DMS).
• Lead PMO and PM Blitz workshops within the assigned area.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on equipment reliability and operational performance.
• Partner with operators and technicians to identify opportunities and prioritize reliability improvements.
• Coordinate with area leadership to develop and execute Continuous Improvement strategies.
• Lead preventive and predictive maintenance programs.
• Coordinate maintenance shutdowns, runtime maintenance activities, and equipment rebuilds.
• Manage contractor resources supporting maintenance activities in the area.
• Partner with planners and maintenance coordinators to prioritize and schedule work.
• Ensure quality completion of work orders, preventive maintenance tasks, and reliability actions.
• Support the development and execution of 30/60/90-day reliability improvement plans.
• Maintain equipment criticality assessments and spare parts strategies.
• Lead equipment modification projects, including design review, vendor management, quotation development, and execution.
• Manage maintenance resources and area maintenance budgets to ensure efficient utilization.
• Develop area skills matrices and technician qualification requirements.
• Coach and develop maintenance technicians, operators, and equipment owners.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance to shift-based maintenance teams.
• Build technical capability across operating teams to improve equipment ownership and performance.
• Follow FMOS escalation processes and drive actions through completion.
• Provide maintenance performance reporting through Value Stream Connection Points.
• Support daily action planning and reporting activities.
• Ensure compliance with all Safety, Quality, and Food Safety standards and procedures.
• Spend approximately 70% of time on the production floor supporting problem-solving, coaching, planning, and execution activities.

Skills

Maintenance planning

Troubleshooting (Electrical)

Troubleshooting (Mechanical)

Preventive maintenance

Root cause analysis

CMMS (SAP/Maximo/eMaint/Fiix)

Microsoft Office

Problem solving

Team leadership

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

SAP

Maximo

eMaint

Fiix

Job description

Job Description

The Area Maintenance Lead 3 is responsible for leading all maintenance and reliability activities within an assigned production area. This role ensures the effective execution of maintenance strategies, planned shutdowns, reliability improvements, and continuous improvement initiatives that drive equipment performance and minimize production losses.

As a key member of the Area Triad, the Area Maintenance Lead 3 partners with Operations and Focused Improvement teams to identify and eliminate root causes of equipment failures, improve asset reliability, and build technical capability across the area. This position serves as both the maintenance planner and reliability leader for their area of ownership.

What are we looking for?

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• 4-6 years of maintenance, reliability, or technical experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in maintenance planning and scheduling.
• Strong electrical and mechanical troubleshooting knowledge.
• Experience with preventive maintenance programs and maintenance management systems.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office and CMMS platforms (SAP, Maximo, eMaint, Fiix, or similar).
• Proven problem-solving skills utilizing root cause analysis methodologies.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with PLC logic and troubleshooting.
• Experience with high-speed packaging equipment.
• Experience working with hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
• Experience with electrical systems up to 480V.
• CMRP, CMRT, MRM, CMP, or other maintenance and reliability certifications.

What will be your key responsibilities?

Maintenance & Reliability Leadership

• Lead all maintenance activities and resources within an assigned production area.
• Execute planned maintenance shutdowns safely and effectively while minimizing downtime.
• Own area maintenance performance and drive reduction of planned and unplanned maintenance losses.
• Provide technical leadership and support for maintenance execution and troubleshooting.
• Provide after-hours technical support when required.

Root Cause Analysis & Continuous Improvement

• Lead Root Cause Analysis (RCA) investigations and implement corrective actions to eliminate recurring failures.
• Own Breakdown Elimination and Defect Management Daily Management Systems (DMS).
• Lead PMO and PM Blitz workshops within the assigned area.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on equipment reliability and operational performance.
• Partner with operators and technicians to identify opportunities and prioritize reliability improvements.
• Coordinate with area leadership to develop and execute Continuous Improvement strategies.

Maintenance Planning & Execution

• Lead preventive and predictive maintenance programs.
• Coordinate maintenance shutdowns, runtime maintenance activities, and equipment rebuilds.
• Manage contractor resources supporting maintenance activities in the area.
• Partner with planners and maintenance coordinators to prioritize and schedule work.
• Ensure quality completion of work orders, preventive maintenance tasks, and reliability actions.
• Support the development and execution of 30/60/90-day reliability improvement plans.

Asset Management

• Maintain equipment criticality assessments and spare parts strategies.
• Lead equipment modification projects, including design review, vendor management, quotation development, and execution.
• Manage maintenance resources and area maintenance budgets to ensure efficient utilization.

Technical Capability Development

• Develop area skills matrices and technician qualification requirements.
• Coach and develop maintenance technicians, operators, and equipment owners.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance to shift-based maintenance teams.
• Build technical capability across operating teams to improve equipment ownership and performance.

Operational Excellence

• Follow FMOS escalation processes and drive actions through completion.
• Provide maintenance performance reporting through Value Stream Connection Points.
• Support daily action planning and reporting activities.
• Ensure compliance with all Safety, Quality, and Food Safety standards and procedures.
• Spend approximately 70% of time on the production floor supporting problem-solving, coaching, planning, and execution activities.

Context & Scope

The Area Maintenance Lead 3 serves as both the maintenance planner and reliability leader for their assigned production area. The role is responsible for ensuring maintenance activities are effectively planned and executed, while continuously improving area reliability through analysis, defect elimination, preventive maintenance optimization, spare parts management, and capability development.

Success in this role requires close collaboration with Maintenance Managers, Maintenance Coordinators, Operations teams, and technicians to achieve reliability, productivity, quality, and cost objectives.

Key Functional Competencies & Technical Skills

• Electrical troubleshooting and repair
• Mechanical troubleshooting and repair
• Preventive and predictive maintenance
• Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
• Maintenance planning and scheduling
• Continuous improvement methodologies
• Data analysis and problem solving
• CMMS systems (SAP, Maximo, eMaint, Fiix, etc.)
• Microsoft Office Suite proficiency
• Coaching, communication, and team leadership skills

What can you expect from Mars?

• The opportunity to drive reliability excellence and operational performance within a world‑class manufacturing environment.
• Exposure to continuous improvement methodologies and maintenance best practices.
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities to expand technical and leadership capabilities.
• A collaborative culture where Associates are empowered to make a measurable impact on business results.

Mars is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.