Maintenance Lead - UniFirst

UniFirst; Springfield (MO); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

401(k) with company match

Health and life insurance

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Employee discounts

Job summary

UniFirst is seeking a Maintenance Lead in Springfield, MO to oversee daily maintenance, lead technicians, and ensure asset reliability across production and facility systems.

You will coordinate preventive maintenance, troubleshoot complex equipment, and enforce safety standards while collaborating with the Production Manager and Supervisors. This is a full-time, on-site role with growth opportunities and a strong benefits package.

Qualifications

• Experience repairing industrial processing equipment in production settings.
• Lead or supervisory experience in a maintenance environment preferred.
• Ability to read blueprints, schematics and maintenance literature in English.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate daily maintenance assignments with the Production Manager.
• Diagnose, troubleshoot, repair, and maintain mechanical and electrical systems.
• Lead preventive and predictive maintenance activities and safety practices.
• Provide technical guidance and training to maintenance staff.
• Maintain CMMS documentation and equipment histories.
• Identify reliability improvements to reduce downtime and cost.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Troubleshooting

Reading blueprints

Mechanical/electrical knowledge

Education

High school diploma or GED

Two-year technical degree preferred

Tools

CMMS

Welding equipment

Job description

Job Description - Maintenance Lead - UniFirst (2604644)

Job Description

Maintenance Lead - UniFirst - ( 2604644 )

Description

AtUniFirst, we Always Deliver - for our customers and our people. As a Maintenance Lead, you will help ensure asset reliability and that maintenance activities are completed in accordance with Company policies, approved practices, and safety requirements.

The Maintenance Lead is a hands‑on technical leader responsible for coordinating daily maintenance activities, performing advanced troubleshooting and repairs, supporting preventive maintenance programs, and providing technical guidance and training to maintenance partners. The Maintenance Lead works closely with the Maintenance Supervisor and Production Manager to ensure safe, effective, and reliable maintenance operations.

Equipment Maintenance & Reliability

• Diagnose, troubleshoot, repair, and maintain mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, steam, PLC, and control‑system equipment using blueprints, schematics, manuals, and technical resources.
• Inspect, test, adjust, lubricate, align, and replace equipment components to restore reliable operation and minimize downtime.
• Perform basic welding and brazing activities, including MIG, TIG, and ARC, when qualified and authorized.
• Identify recurring equipment issues and recommend corrective actions and reliability improvements to reduce downtime and improve equipment performance.

Preventive & Predictive Maintenance

• Perform and coordinate preventive maintenance activities for production and facility equipment in accordance with established schedules, manufacturer requirements, and site standards.
• Review upcoming maintenance work, prioritize activities, verify parts availability, and communicate constraints or risks to the Production Manager.
• Conduct required boiler and wastewater pretreatment testing, maintain records, and make authorized adjustments.
• Inspect equipment components and operating conditions to identify potential failures before they impact production.

Maintenance Leadership & Work Coordination

• Coordinate daily maintenance assignments and priorities in alignment with the Production Manager and established maintenance plans.
• Serve as the first technical point of contact during assigned shifts and help coordinate responses to equipment breakdowns and emergency repairs.
• Provide technical guidance, coaching, and hands‑on training to Maintenance Technicians, Maintenance Utility partners, trainees, and other assigned employees.
• Support effective shift handoffs by communicating equipment status, incomplete work, follow‑up requirements, and operational risks.
• Reinforce accountability, teamwork, respectful communication, and consistent maintenance practices across shifts.

Safety & Compliance

• Lead by example and reinforce a safe, clean, and compliant work environment by following and enforcing applicable policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Perform and reinforce required safety practices, including Lockout/Tagout, Confined Space, Hot Work, chemical handling, fall protection, and other site‑specific requirements.
• Stop work and elevate conditions that present an immediate safety risk or fall outside approved procedures or employee qualifications.
• Support maintenance‑related regulatory, environmental, and compliance activities, including required inspections, training, and documentation.

Maintenance Systems & Administration

• Use the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) to document work requests, labor, parts, failure details, repair activities, and completion status.
• Maintain accurate equipment histories, maintenance records, shift logs, meter readings, inspections, and compliance documentation.
• Review and prioritize open work orders based on safety, operational risk, urgency, and business impact.
• Provide regular maintenance updates and debriefs to the Production Manager and coordinate closely with the Maintenance Supervisor.
• Monitor critical maintenance spare‑parts inventory, identify shortages, support replenishment, and verify receipt of orders.
• Use maintenance parts, tools, equipment, and supplies responsibly and efficiently.
• Assist with identifying qualified outside service providers, gathering bids, and coordinating onsite vendor activities as assigned.
• Ensure vendors comply with site safety, access, and maintenance requirements.
• Identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability, safety, energy efficiency, maintenance processes, work quality, and cost effectiveness.
• Recommend improvements to preventive maintenance plans, equipment, procedures, parts strategies, and technician training.
• Maintain and expand technical knowledge through required training, technical publications, workshops, and other professional development opportunities.

The Maintenance Lead and Maintenance Supervisor are at the same organizational level and both report directly to the Production Manager. Neither role is senior to the other.

Qualifications

What You Bring to UniFirst:

• High school diploma or GED required; a two-year technical degree in a relevant discipline is preferred.
• At least three years of experience repairing industrial processing equipment in a production environment; applicable military experience will be considered.
• Must be at least 18 years old and possess a valid non-commercial driver's license when driving is required.
• At least two years of demonstrated lead or supervisory experience in a maintenance environment is preferred.
• Working knowledge of electrical and electronic components, wiring, pipe systems, plumbing, mechanical systems, pneumatics, and hydraulics.
• Experience with maintenance planning, scheduling, parts management, vendors, and a CMMS.
• Ability to read blueprints, schematics, technical manuals, and maintenance literature printed in English.
• Proficiency with hand and power tools and basic Microsoft Office applications.
• General boiler, wastewater pretreatment, welding, HVAC, PLC, and industrial controls knowledge preferred.
• A reliability or maintenance certification, such as CMRP or CPMM, is preferred.

You Will Benefit From:

• Competitive Compensation:Competitive wages, 401(k) with company match, profit sharing, health and life insurance, paid time off, employee discounts, tuition reimbursement, and more.
• Career Development:Continuous training and growth opportunities
• Company Culture:A supportive and inclusive workplace rooted in a strong sense of community
• Stability & Work-Life Balance:Monday–Friday daytime schedule, no nights or weekends
• Inclusive Culture:A diverse and inclusive work environment that values a variety of backgrounds and perspectives.

Join UniFirst for a Rewarding Career

At UniFirst, you’ll find opportunities for advancement in a supportive and diverse environment. If you’re ready to take on a dynamic, customer‑focused role with plenty of room for growth, we’d love to hear from you!

About UniFirst

UniFirst is an international leader in the $18 billion-dollar garment services industry. We currently employ over 16,000 team partners who serve 300,000 business customer locations throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe. We were included in the top 10 of Selling Power magazine’s “Best Companies to Sell For” list and recognized on Forbes magazine’s “Platinum 400 – Best Big Companies” list.

UniFirst is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring or employment against any individual on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ancestry, religion, physical or mental disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, citizenship, or any other factor protected by anti-discrimination laws.

Primary Location

United States-Missouri

Work Locations

225 - SPRINGFIELD, MO 2244 N. Bolivar Road Springfield 65803

Organization

225 - Springfield MO

Job

Maintenance

Employee Status

Regular

Schedule

Full‑time

Shift

1st Shift

Job Posting

Aug 31, 2026, 9:05:18 PM

UniFirst Corporation is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer M-F-Disability-Vet