Assistant Maintenance Manager

The J.M. Smucker Company; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The J. M. Smucker Co.

is hiring an Assistant Maintenance Manager to lead and train maintenance personnel, coordinating with technical supervisors to uphold equipment reliability and uptime at the Emporia, KS plant. The role governs preventive maintenance, work orders, and safety programs across shifts and downtime events. Expect to manage a team, drive performance improvements, and ensure records are complete while promoting a safe, productive bakery environment that aligns with Smucker's

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Troubleshooting & repair

Oral & written communication

MS Excel & Word

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

MS Excel

MS Word

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.

The Right Place for You

We are bold, kind, strive to do the right thing, we play to win, and we believe in a strong community that thrives together. Our culture is rooted in our Basic Beliefs, and we believe in supporting every employee by meeting their physical, emotional, and financial needs. Stay connected with us on LinkedIn

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.

We’re a community of passionate, talented professionals dedicated to creating food people and pets love—while supporting the communities in which we work and live. We value what makes each person unique, champion growth and development, and foster collaboration that fuels productivity and drives our shared success.

Learn more about our Thrive Together purpose.

At Smucker, we’re passionate about creating a workplace where you truly belong.

With a culture rooted in our Basic Beliefs and a competitive Total Rewards program, we aim to support every employee by meeting their physical, emotional, and financial needs.

Learn more about working at Smucker.

Our culture is sustained and brought to life every day by the people of Smucker and our hiring process is designed to identify the right candidate for every position at our company.

Learn more about our hiring process.

The J. M. Smucker Co. (the “Company”) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No person will be discriminated against in hiring or in any other aspect of their employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, marital status, familial status, disability, genetic information, protected veteran/military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.