Maintenance Manager

Kemps LLC; Cedarburg (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

401(k) with company contribution

Competitive pay

Paid vacation and holidays

Career growth opportunities

Service recognition and rewards

Job summary

Kemps, a Dairy Farmers of America brand, seeks a hands-on Maintenance Manager for our Cedarburg facility. You will lead a unionized team, drive preventive maintenance, and advance automation and continuous improvement to maximize equipment reliability and product quality.

Reporting to the Sr. Manager, Engineering, you will partner with the Plant Engineer to ensure safety, compliance, and MOS-aligned maintenance initiatives. Attractive benefits and growth opportunities are included.

Qualifications

• Must have a minimum of 5 years in maintenance leadership within dairy manufacturing or related food/beverage environments.
• 3+ years of supervisory experience leading maintenance technicians.
• Strong knowledge of industrial mechanical and electrical systems, including PLC control and automation.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a unionized maintenance team for safe, efficient plant operations.
• Manage preventive maintenance programs and asset reliability using CMMS.
• Drive continuous improvement and align activities with MOS structure.
• Maintain and troubleshoot production equipment, HVAC, boilers, and 480V motor controls.
• Support and optimize automation systems, PLCs, and plant control technologies.
• Monitor maintenance KPIs and implement corrective actions to improve OEE.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, safety programs, and food safety standards.
• Support capital projects and maintenance programs to improve safety, quality, and productivity.

Skills

Maintenance leadership

PLC troubleshooting

Continuous improvement

Food industry knowledge

Team development

Education

High school diploma

Technical coursework

Associate degree (preferred)

Tools

CMMS software

PLC programming tools

Job description

Kemps, a farmer-owned brand of Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), is seeking a hands-on, forward-thinking Maintenance Manager to join our fluid milk and cream manufacturing facility in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. In this highly visible leadership role, you will partner closely with the Plant Engineer to drive safety, reliability, automation, and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance plant performance and product quality.

Reporting to the Sr. Manager, Engineering, this position offers the opportunity to lead a skilled maintenance team while leveraging technology, automation, and preventive maintenance strategies to maximize equipment effectiveness and operational excellence.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Lead and develop a unionized maintenance team to support safe, efficient, and reliable plant operations.
• Manage preventive maintenance programs and asset reliability through CMMS utilization.
• Drive Continuous Improvement initiatives and align maintenance activities with the Management Operating Structure (MOS).
• Maintain and troubleshoot production equipment, HVAC systems, boilers, utility systems, and 480V three-phase motor controls.
• Support and optimize automation systems, PLCs, and plant control technologies.
• Monitor maintenance KPIs and implement corrective actions to improve equipment reliability and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
• Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations, company policies, food safety standards, and applicable industry codes.
• Support capital projects and maintenance programs that improve safety, quality, and productivity.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate degree or technical coursework preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of maintenance leadership experience in dairy manufacturing preferred, with demonstrated success in food and beverage manufacturing environments also highly valued.
• 3+ years of supervisory experience leading and developing maintenance technicians.
• Strong knowledge of industrial mechanical and electrical systems, including PLC troubleshooting and automation.
• Experience with CMMS, preventive maintenance programs, and equipment reliability strategies.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and maintenance management software.
• Proven ability to lead change and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with dairy or food processing equipment, including fillers, blow mold machines, pneumatic and hydraulic systems.
• Allen-Bradley PLC experience, including ladder logic troubleshooting and editing.
• Ammonia refrigeration, HTST pasteurization, fabrication, welding, and machining experience.
• Knowledge of GMPs, union environments, workers’ compensation, and safety programs.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package available 1st of the month after start date
• 401(k) with company contribution
• Competitive pay
• Paid vacation and holidaysCareer growth opportunities - we promote from within!
• Service recognition and employee rewards