Maintenance Manager

Nature's Path; Sussex (WI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the food production sector is seeking a Maintenance Manager in Sussex, WI. The role involves optimizing equipment reliability, leading maintenance teams, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in manufacturing and a bachelor's degree in engineering. Additional qualifications such as CMRP or Six Sigma certification are preferred.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of maintenance leadership experience in manufacturing, preferably food production.
• 5+ years of supervisory or management experience with a technical team.
• Strong understanding of predictive and preventative maintenance strategies.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement predictive and preventative maintenance programs.
• Lead and mentor maintenance team while ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
• Oversee capital projects and manage maintenance budgets for cost efficiency.

Skills

Leadership

Problem-solving

Continuous improvement

Asset management

Interpersonal communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

CMRP certification

Six Sigma certification

HACCP certification

Tools

CMMS

SCADA

PLCs

Job description

Equipment Reliability & Uptime Optimization:

· Collaborate with production teams and utilize the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) metrics to establish and refine maintenance schedules.

· Develop and implement robust predictive and preventative maintenance (PM & PdM) programs to maximize equipment reliability and minimize downtime.

· Monitor and analyze equipment performance data to identify trends, prevent failures, and optimize maintenance strategies.

· Recommend modifications, upgrades, or replacements of equipment to improve uptime and reduce maintenance costs.

· Lead root cause analysis (RCA) for equipment failures and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Leadership & Team Development:

· Provide strong leadership, coaching, and mentorship to the maintenance team, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

· Partner with People & Culture to assess skills, implement training programs, and develop career paths for maintenance personnel, as well as assist in hiring staff such as Maintenance Technicians

· Conduct daily shift meetings to align on priorities, review performance metrics, and address challenges proactively.

· Ensure compliance with OSHA, GMPs (Good Manufacturing Practices), and food safety regulations while championing a strong safety culture.

Capital & Process Improvement Projects:

· Collaborate with leadership to execute a capital improvement plan aligned with business objectives and operational efficiencies.

· Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives, including Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) methodologies.

· Analyze and solve production challenges related to equipment inefficiencies and process bottlenecks.

· Manage and oversee capital projects, including equipment installations, upgrades, and expansions.

Inventory & Budget Management:

· Optimize parts and equipment inventory using an automated inventory tracking system to ensure critical parts are available without excessive stock.

· Work closely with purchasing and vendors to procure quality parts and equipment cost-effectively.

· Manage maintenance budgets, controlling costs while ensuring timely and efficient repairs.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication:

· Partner with Production, R&D, Capital Planning, and Procurement teams to align maintenance strategies with operational goals.

· Provide real-time, data-driven insights to plant leadership for informed decision-making.

· Ensure clear and effective inter-shift communication among maintenance teams.

Regulatory Compliance & Safety Leadership (working in conjunction with our Safety Manager)

· Ensure compliance with OSHA, FDA, USDA, FSMA, and other food industry regulations applicable to maintenance and equipment operations.

· Act as the Field Safety Representative (FSR) for the plant, overseeing Operating Permits and regulatory documentation.

· Lead initiatives to enhance workplace safety, including lockout/tagout (LOTO), confined space entry, and machine guarding procedures.

· Oversee refrigeration system PSM per 29 CFR 1910.119.

Education & Certification

· Bachelors degree in Engineering, Maintenance Management, or a related technical field (or equivalent work experience).

· Certifications such as CMRP (Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional), Six Sigma, HACCP, or Lean Manufacturing are a plus.

Experience & Skills

· 8+ years of maintenance leadership experience in manufacturing; food production industry preferred.

· 5+ years of supervisory or management experience, with a proven track record of leading technical teams.

· Expertise in CMMS, SCADA, PLCs, and automation systems for high-speed manufacturing equipment.

· Strong understanding of predictive and preventative maintenance strategies and asset management best practices.

· Working knowledge of budgeting, capital planning, and cost control in a maintenance setting.

· Commitment to continuous improvement, safety, and regulatory compliance in food manufacturing.

· Excellent problem-solving, leadership, and interpersonal communication skills.

Notes:

·This role pays between $120,000 - $140,000 depending on qualifications and experience + a 15% bonus.

· This is an on-site role based in Sussex WI

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.