Maintenance and Engineering Manager

Synergy Flavors Innova, LLC; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 110,500 - 149,500; Full time

Job summary

Synergy Flavors Innova, LLC in Chicago is seeking a Maintenance & Reliability professional to oversee maintenance activities, lead engineering projects, and ensure compliance with safety regulations. The ideal candidate will hold a Bachelor's degree in engineering and have over 5 years of experience in manufacturing environments.

Key responsibilities include managing preventive maintenance programs, leading a team of technicians, and ensuring equipment reliability. Strong mechanical and electrical skills are essential.

The role offers a starting salary ranging from $110,500 to $149,500, with an equal opportunity employer commitment to a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of maintenance/engineering experience in manufacturing or industrial environments.
• 3+ years in a leadership role, preferably in food manufacturing.
• Strong expertise with reliability-centered maintenance and Lean/TPM principles.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all maintenance activities including repairs and preventive maintenance.
• Lead root cause analysis for equipment failures.
• Manage CMMS and track KPIs for maintenance performance.
• Recruit, train, and develop maintenance technicians.

Skills

Mechanical skills

Electrical skills

Troubleshooting skills

Leadership skills

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial Engineering

Stationary Engineer license

Class K license (preferred)

Tools

CMMS systems

Job description

Maintenance & Reliability

• Oversee all maintenance activities including repairs, preventive maintenance, and equipment installation.
• Design, implement, and optimize preventive and predictive maintenance programs to minimize downtime and extend equipment life.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for equipment failures and recurring issues.
• Manage CMMS (work orders, PM compliance, spares, vendor performance); set and track KPIs such as uptime/OEE, MTTR/MTBF, PM compliance, and maintenance cost as a percentage of RAV.
• Oversee spare parts inventory, procurement processes, critical spares, and vendor relationships to ensure availability and cost efficiency.
• Ensure 24/7 readiness of critical systems, including on‑call coverage and emergency response protocols.
• Own utilities and infrastructure (e.g., boilers/steam, compressed air, chilled water, HVAC, water/wastewater, electrical distribution).

Engineering & Projects

• Partner with Engineering on capital projects (equipment upgrades, facility expansions, automation/controls) from business case through FAT/SAT and startup.
• Champion new technologies such as Industry 4.0/Smart Factory solutions (sensors, data historians, SCADA/PLC integrations) to modernize operations.
• Manage project scope, schedule, budget, contractors, and change control; deliver to ROI targets.
• Collaborate with Operations, Quality, and EHS to implement Lean/TPM improvements that increase productivity and reduce waste.

People Leadership

• Recruit, train, and develop a skilled and motivated team of maintenance technicians.
• Set clear expectations, coach performance, and foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous learning (5S/standard work).
• Create and manage work schedules, ensuring coverage and responsiveness across all shifts, and compliance with all relevant labor laws and ordinances.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning.

Compliance & Safety

• Ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, NFPA, electrical safety (Arc Flash), LOTO, relevant Chicago ordinances, and confined space requirements.
• In a food manufacturing context, partner with QA on cGMP, FSMA, USDA, HACCP, SQF/BRC requirements; maintain audit‑ready documentation.
• Lead safety initiatives, including hazard assessments, training programs, and incident investigations.
• Drive a zero‑incident mindset and proactive risk reductions.

Budgeting & Reporting

• Develop and manage the annual budget for maintenance and engineering functions.
• Provide regular reports on equipment performance, project milestones, cost savings, and strategic recommendations.
• Identify opportunities for capital investment and present business cases for new equipment or technology adoption.

Qualifications

• Stationary Engineer license required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field (equivalent hands‑on experience may be considered).
• 5+ years of maintenance/engineering experience in manufacturing or industrial environments, including 3+ years in a leadership role.
• Experience leading a Maintenance department in a food manufacturing environment preferred.
• Class K license preferred.
• Strong mechanical, electrical, and troubleshooting skills.
• Experience managing preventive maintenance programs and facility utilities.
• Proven expertise with CMMS systems, reliability‑centered maintenance, and Lean/TPM principles.
• Strong leadership, cross‑functional influence, and change‑management skills.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Experience with budgeting, vendor/contract management, and regulatory compliance.

Salary

Starting Salary : $110,500 - $149,500

Carbery Group is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering a supportive work environment.