Maintenance Department Manager

Lakeside Foods Inc.; Manitowoc (WI); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) retirement plan with company-mh

Job summary

Lakeside Foods in Manitowoc, WI is seeking a hands-on Maintenance Department Manager to lead daily maintenance operations, improve equipment reliability, and drive continuous improvement. This role manages preventive maintenance, repairs, and capital projects while ensuring safe and efficient plant operations.

The ideal candidate has 3–5 years of relevant experience, strong mechanical/electrical knowledge, and leadership skills.

Qualifications

• Experience leading maintenance teams in manufacturing environments.
• Ability to read blueprints, schematics, and technical drawings.
• Strong understandings of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and facility systems.
• Proven ability to manage budgets, schedules, and vendor relationships.
• Knowledge of safety standards such as OSHA and GMPs.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop maintenance team members.
• Manage daily maintenance activities and preventive maintenance programs.
• Troubleshoot production equipment, utilities, and building systems.
• Drive equipment reliability and uptime improvements.
• Identify and manage capital improvement projects with budgets and schedules.
• Support procurement, installation, and commissioning of new equipment.
• Maintain maintenance records and downtime reporting.
• Ensure compliance with LO TO, OSHA, Arc Flash, GMPs, HACCP/Preventive Controls and sanitation requirements.

Skills

Maintenance leadership

Troubleshooting

Mechanical knowledge

Electrical & plumbing

Blueprint reading

Budgeting

Maintenance systems

Safety certifications

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate or Bachelor's degree preferred

Job description

At Lakeside Foods and our family of companies, we're committed to providing wholesome foods to enrich people’s lives through food. We are a culture that pursues our vision of growth and innovation with passion, confidence, and commitment. We are strongest together – valuing collaborative contribution, transparency and new ideas to enable change and growth. We are committed to an inclusive and respectful environment that promotes a healthy work-life balance, and there’s a seat at the table for you.

Lakeside Foods is seeking a Maintenance Department Manager to lead the daily operations of our maintenance department while driving equipment reliability, facility performance, and continuous improvement. This is a hands-on, working manager role responsible for developing the maintenance team, managing preventive maintenance and repairs, supporting capital projects, and keeping plant equipment and facilities operating safely and efficiently.

What You’ll Get

• Competitive pay based on experience
• Affordable, market-leading medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Paid vacation and personal time
• Paid training and professional development opportunities
• A safety-focused, team-oriented workplace
• Opportunities for growth with a stable, family-owned company

What You’ll Do

• Lead, coach, schedule, and develop maintenance team members
• Manage daily maintenance activities, preventive maintenance programs, equipment repairs, and installations
• Troubleshoot and support hands‑on repairs to production equipment, utilities, and building systems
• Improve equipment reliability and uptime by identifying recurring issues and implementing solutions
• Identify, justify, and manage capital improvement projects, including schedules and budgets
• Support procurement, installation, and commissioning of new equipment
• Manage the maintenance budget, vendors, contractors, spare parts, and supplies
• Maintain accurate work orders, maintenance records, and downtime reporting
• Ensure compliance with LOTO, OSHA, Arc Flash, GMPs, HACCP/Preventive Controls, sanitation, and food safety requirements
• Maintain an organized, safe, and audit‑ready maintenance operation
• Partner with Operations and other departments to quickly resolve equipment and facility issues

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or GED required
• Relevant associate or bachelor's degree preferred
• 3-5 years of relevant experience preferred
• Prior leadership experience preferred
• Equivalent combination of education and experience considered
• Strong operational understanding of plant machinery and maintenance processes

Skills & Abilities

• Strong mechanical and equipment troubleshooting capabilities
• Working knowledge of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and facility systems
• Ability to read blueprints, schematics, and technical drawings
• Strong leadership, organizational, and team-development skills
• Effective problem‑solving and decision‑making abilities
• Ability to manage maintenance priorities, projects, vendors, and budgets
• Basic computer proficiency and ability to work with maintenance systems
• OSHA 10/30 and First Aid/CPR/AED certifications …

Why Lakeside Foods

Founded in 1887, Lakeside Foods is a family‑owned company committed to quality, safety, and operational excellence. We invest in our people and provide opportunities for maintenance professionals to lead teams, improve operations, and make a measurable impact.

Lakeside Foods and our family of companies welcomes people of all backgrounds and the varied ideas they bring to the workplace. Being an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer is part of our heritage and culture. We recruit, hire and promote employees based on qualifications and merit, without regard to race, religion, age, gender, disability, marital or veteran status. Lakeside Foods participates in E-Verify.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities.

Nearest Major Market: Green Bay
Nearest Secondary Market: Appleton