Lead Maintenance Technician

Sterling St James Inc.; Saint Charles (MO); On-site; USD 80,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Sterling St James Inc. in St. Charles, IL is seeking a Maintenance Supervisor for the 1st shift to lead maintenance across the plant, facilities, utilities, and powerhouse. You will keep product flows and production lines running at peak, driving performance and delivering high reliability.

The role requires strong electro-mechanical skills, ammonia refrigeration background, and leadership to train staff, implement TPM, manage work orders, and ensure USDA compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Engineering or a related field and 2+ years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
• Experience acting as a lead by providing training, coaching or mentoring to less experienced staff or through managing a process or project.
• Able to lead problem-solving and troubleshooting efforts associated with high-level process issues.
• Food Manufacturing background or similar type industries.
• Ammonia Refrigeration background desired.
• Strong electro-mechanical skillset required.
• Strong root cause analysis background.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office.
• Advanced technical skills in ammonia refrigeration, high-pressure boiler, compressed air, mechanical and electrical fields (e.g. PLCs, instrumentation, mechanical engineering, etc.) and is able to lead resource planning efforts in a large manufacturing environment, preferred.
• Thorough knowledge of maintenance systems, work order processes, preventive/predictive maintenance, TPM, inventory and scheduling software, preferred.
• Strong leadership skills (conflict resolution, facilitation, change management skills, decision making, empowerment and delegation), preferred.
• Good planning and priority setting skills.
• Ability to work well with others in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead teams of Maintenance Mechanics and Electricians in predictive and preventative maintenance, as well as machine repairs.
• Train employees on proper work methods and safety procedures.
• Supervise and support maintenance systems, processes, and documentation to ensure high performance.
• Ensure maintenance is scheduled in a timely and in collaboration with Production to address equipment and facility repairs.
• Develop and implement effective maintenance systems (Prevention and Predictive Maintenance, TPM, SOPs, Safety, etc.).
• Provide long-term solutions and day-to-day support for troubleshooting, problem analysis, and equipment failures.
• Performance Monitoring & Reporting: Develop and maintain Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for tracking maintenance performance (e.g., supplier performance, contractor performance, equipment reliability, overall equipment effectiveness).
• Provide regular status reports to the maintenance management team.
• Ensure maintenance tasks comply with USDA regulations.
• Maintain accurate records of maintenance work performed and inventory.
• Drive a positive employee experience through leadership by way of employee development and coaching.

Skills

Electro-mechanical

Ammonia refrigeration

PLC knowledge

Root cause analysis

Leadership

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Title: Maintenance Supervisor – 1st shift

Location: St. Charles, Illinois

Salary: $80-1000K plus bonus

Job Summary of the Maintenance Supervisor:

The 1st shift Maintenance Supervisor will lead the maintenance teams in the installation, repair, and preventive maintenance of all critical equipment across the plant, facilities, utilities, and powerhouse. You will oversee the maintenance of key processes and keep product flows and production lines running at their peak, driving performance and contributing to the overall success of the facility.

Job Duties & Responsibilities of the Maintenance Supervisor:

• Lead teams of Maintenance Mechanics and Electricians in predictive and preventative maintenance, as well as machine repairs.
• Train employees on proper work methods and safety procedures.
• Supervise and support maintenance systems, processes, and documentation to ensure high performance.
• Ensure maintenance is scheduled in a timely and in collaboration with Production to address equipment and facility repairs.
• Develop and implement effective maintenance systems (Prevention and Predictive Maintenance, TPM, SOPs, Safety, etc.).
• Provide long-term solutions and day-to-day support for troubleshooting, problem analysis, and equipment failures.
• Performance Monitoring & Reporting: Develop and maintain Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for tracking maintenance performance (e.g., supplier performance, contractor performance, equipment reliability, overall equipment effectiveness).
• Provide regular status reports to the maintenance management team.
• Ensure maintenance tasks comply with USDA regulations.
• Maintain accurate records of maintenance work performed and inventory.
• Drive a positive employee experience through leadership by way of employee development and coaching.

Education & Experience Requirements of the Maintenance Supervisor:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Engineering or a related field and 2+ years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
• Experience acting as a lead by providing training, coaching or mentoring to less experienced staff or through managing a process or project.
• Able to lead problem-solving and troubleshooting efforts associated with high-level process issues.
• Food Manufacturing background or similar type industries.
• Ammonia Refrigeration background desired.
• Strong electro-mechanical skillset required.
• Strong root cause analysis background.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office.
• Advanced technical skills in ammonia refrigeration, high-pressure boiler, compressed air, mechanical and electrical fields (e.g. PLCs, instrumentation, mechanical engineering, etc.) and is able to lead resource planning efforts in a large manufacturing environment, preferred.
• Thorough knowledge of maintenance systems, work order processes, preventive/predictive maintenance, TPM, inventory and scheduling software, preferred.
• Strong leadership skills (conflict resolution, facilitation, change management skills, decision making, empowerment and delegation), preferred.
• Good planning and priority setting skills.
• Ability to work well with others in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.