Assistant Maintenance Manager

The J.M. Smucker Company; Emporia (KS); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The J.M. Smucker Company in Emporia, KS is seeking a Technical Leader (Assistant Maintenance Manager) to lead maintenance teams, plan and direct engineering activities, and ensure safety and quality standards across shifts.

This role emphasizes preventative maintenance, downtime reduction, and effective cross-functional collaboration with supervisors and production personnel. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership, hands-on maintenance experience, and excellent communication skills,

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 3 years of industrial maintenance experience.
• 2 years of people management experience.
• Ability to troubleshoot and repair equipment to ensure optimum efficiency and product quality.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong PC skills with MS Excel and Word.

Responsibilities

• Manage and lead Technical Supervisors and mechanics to meet objectives and respond to downtime events.
• Enter downtime and equipment time into PM system; maintain records of maintenance activities.
• Coordinate policies and procedures; communicate shift status to other shifts.
• Identify deficiencies and initiate corrective actions with timely follow-up.
• Ensure preventative maintenance is performed per company standards.
• Assess mechanics' skills and provide training to meet performance standards.
• Instruct production personnel on proper operation and care of equipment.
• Schedule coverage for vacations and holidays; align with bakery scheduling.
• Lead cross-department communication for upcoming work in the bakery.
• Promote safety and ensure compliance with accident prevention programs.
• Coach and motivate staff to follow standards; monitor performance and provide feedback.
• Attend meetings related to job requirements; perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Maintenance planning

Troubleshooting

Safety adherence

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering Technology or related field

Tools

MS Excel

MS Word

CMMS / PM system

Job description

Your Opportunity as a Technical Leader (Assistant Maintenance Manager)

Manage and train maintenance personnel, collaborating with the technical supervisors, in the upkeep and improvement of existing equipment. Plan and direct engineering and maintenance activities for all work shifts with supervisors. Focus on meeting standards for quality, productivity, and downtime, through regular Preventative Maintenance and work order follow-up.

Location:

1525 Industrial Rd, Emporia, KS 66801 (Hostess Manufacturing Plant)

Work Arrangements:

100% on-site. Approximately 3pm-11pm. Flexibility required. Willingness to work off shift (including nights, weekends, and/or holidays) and flow to the work as needed.

This role will follow a phased schedule to support onboarding and cross-shift collaboration. The position begins with general daytime hours during initial training and orientation, followed by a minimum six-month assignment on a swing and/or night shift to partner closely with off-shift operations. Upon completion, the role returns to standard daytime hours, with flexibility being essential to adjust as business needs require.

In This Role You Will:

• Manage and lead all Technical Supervisors/mechanics to meet planned objectives and respond effectively to downtime events.
• Enter all downtime and equipment time into pm system
• Maintain current and complete records of all maintenance related activities.
• Coordinate and implement company policies and procedures in all areas.
• Communicate status of shift to following shifts and others who require the information.
• Identify equipment and facility deficiencies, utilizing RCA tools, and ensure the initiation of corrective actions and follow up on them in a timely manner.
• Ensure preventative maintenance program is performed in accordance with company standards.
• Assess mechanics technical and troubleshooting skills. Provide training and counseling as needed to assist mechanics in meeting performance standards.
• Instruct production personnel in the proper operation and care of equipment.
• Instruct supervisors on scheduling, shift coverage for hourly workers supervisors for vacations and all holidays, along with bakery schedule
• Lead communication with all departments in the bakery for planned upcoming work needing performed.
• Promote safety through work procedures and employee safety programs.
• Ensure equipment is maintained in safe operating condition. Ensure compliance with the corporate accident prevention program.
• Effectively lead, coach, train and motivate people to follow established standards through Empowerment, Collaboration, Motivation, and Enthusiasm
• Monitor performance of direct reports and provide feedback to improve performance
• Attend all meetings related to job requirements
• Perform other duties relating to the efficient operation of the bakery as assigned.

What We are Looking For:

Minimum Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 3 years of industrial maintenance experience
• 2 years of people management experience
• Ability to troubleshoot and repair equipment to ensure optimum efficiency and product quality.
• Excellent Oral and Written Communication Skills.
• Strong Personal Computer Skills - Familiar with MS Excel and Word

Additional skills and experience that we think would make someone successful in this role:

• Bachelor's degree in industrial engineering technology or a related area of study is preferred but not required
• Experience in a food manufacturing environment preferred
• Understanding of commercial bakeries and bakery equipment preferred

Work Environment:

This job operates in a manufacturing environment. The noise level in the work environment and manufacturing sites can be high.

Physical Demands:

• Regularly required to talk and hear.
• Frequently required to stand; walk; use hands and fingers to handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
• Occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• Able to lift objects up to 50 pounds frequently.
• May push and pull heavy objects.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

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We're an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, age, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status.