Maintenance Lead - UniFirst

UniFirst Corporation; Springfield, Northern (MO, KY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

401(k) match

Health and life insurance

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

UniFirst is seeking a Maintenance Lead to coordinate daily maintenance activities, perform advanced troubleshooting, and guide maintenance teams. You will support preventive maintenance programs and work with Production Manager to ensure safe, reliable operations.

Ideal candidates will have at least three years in industrial maintenance, a two-year technical degree, and strong CMMS and blueprint-reading skills. This on-site role offers growth opportunities and a focus on reliability and safety.

Qualifications

• Minimum three years of experience repairing industrial processing equipment.
• Two-year technical degree preferred.
• Experience reading blueprints, schematics, and maintenance manuals.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily maintenance activities and coordinate priorities with Production Manager.
• Provide technical guidance and hands-on training to Maintenance Technicians and staff.
• Perform advanced troubleshooting and repair of mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and control-system equipment.
• Support preventive and predictive maintenance programs and ensure safety compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Troubleshooting

Blueprint reading

Preventive maintenance

Education

Two-year technical degree

Tools

CMMS

Job description

At UniFirst, 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 esc…
• 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.

Parts, Inventory & Vendor Coordination

• 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.

Continuous Improvement & Development

• 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,