Maintenance Manager

Talent Wave Associates; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Talent Wave Associates seeks a proactive maintenance leader to guide a high-tech production line team in a dynamic food manufacturing setting. The role emphasizes hands-on floor leadership, rapid problem solving, and scaling maintenance processes to support growth and equipment reliability.

You will mentor technicians, design preventive programs, and collaborate with operations to minimize downtime while driving ownership and continuous improvement on the plant floor.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a hands-on maintenance management role within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with packaging equipment is strongly preferred.
• Strong technical aptitude with automated or innovative production equipment, and the ability to train others.
• Demonstrated ability to build structure, processes, and teams during periods of rapid growth.
• Strong leadership presence with a practical, positive, and can-do approach.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment where systems and processes are still being refined.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the maintenance team with a focus on hands-on coaching to ensure effective operation and maintenance of high-tech production lines.
• Spend significant time on the floor to help the team diagnose issues and provide support where needed.
• Design and implement maintenance structures, processes, and preventive programs to support growth and production complexity.
• Collaborate with operations and production teams to minimize downtime and enhance equipment reliability.
• Train maintenance technicians to function as operators of sophisticated equipment.
• Lead by example, showing a willingness to perform hands-on work at all levels.
• Promote a culture of ownership, urgency, and continuous improvement on the plant floor.

Skills

Hands-on leadership

Maintenance management

Packaging equipment

Technical aptitude

Training others

Team building

Floor problem-solving

Continuous improvement

Job description

Are you ready to lead a dynamic maintenance team in a thriving food manufacturing environment? Our client is seeking a proactive and hands-on leader to manage their maintenance operations. This role is perfect for someone who enjoys being on the plant floor, solving problems, and guiding a team through rapid growth and technological advancement.

• Lead and mentor the maintenance team with a focus on hands-on coaching to ensure effective operation and maintenance of high-tech production lines.
• Spend significant time on the floor to help the team diagnose issues and provide support where needed.
• Design and implement maintenance structures, processes, and preventive programs to support growth and production complexity.
• Collaborate with operations and production teams to minimize downtime and enhance equipment reliability.
• Train maintenance technicians to function as operators of sophisticated equipment.
• Lead by example, showing a willingness to perform hands-on work at all levels.
• Promote a culture of ownership, urgency, and continuous improvement on the plant floor.

Qualifications:

• Proven experience in a hands-on maintenance management role within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with packaging equipment is strongly preferred.
• Strong technical aptitude with automated or innovative production equipment, and the ability to train others.
• Demonstrated ability to build structure, processes, and teams during periods of rapid growth.
• Strong leadership presence with a practical, positive, and can-do approach.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment where systems and processes are still being refined.

We're proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to fostering an inclusive, people-first recruiting experience.