Maintenance Superintendent - 1st Shift Liberty

farmerfocus; Harrisonburg (VA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly payroll

Paid time off / sick leave

Medical coverage (dental & vision)

401(k) with company match

HSA and FSA

Education reimbursement opportunities

Employee assistance programs

Career growth programs

Job summary

Farmer Focus is seeking an experienced Maintenance Superintendent to lead a maintenance team, drive reliability, and manage plant facilities. You will oversee preventive maintenance, supervise staff across shifts, manage budgets, and partner with operations to reduce downtime while maintaining a zero-accident culture.

Responsibilities include SOP enforcement, mentoring, and implementing cost-saving initiatives, with a focus on safety, quality, and regulatory compliance within a food production

Qualifications

• 3+ years of relevant progressive maintenance supervision in manufacturing.
• 5+ years in food/protein industry preferred.
• 3+ years managing a large team across multiple shifts.
• Knowledge of food processing systems is highly preferred.
• Understanding of regulatory requirements for food industry support for utilities (refrigeration, boilers, HVAC, PLC).
• Strong communication, both written and verbal, across all levels.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and maintenance/work order systems.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with strong organizational skills.
• Safety-minded with a proactive approach to zero-accident culture.
• Bilingual in Spanish or French is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain the preventive maintenance program for machinery.
• Prioritize work orders and schedule repairs to minimize disruption.
• Supervise maintenance staff to ensure minimal downtime and costs.
• Manage department budget and identify cost-saving methods.
• Identify and implement cost reductions with operating teams.
• Establish and enforce SOPs for maintenance within the plant.
• Mentor, coach, and cross-train employees for career development.
• Administer performance improvement plans and disciplinary actions.
• Promote safety initiatives and sustain a zero-accident culture.
• Set clear expectations aligned with safety and company standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Support Farmer Focus CARES values: Community, Accountability, Respect, Excellence, Stewardship.

Skills

Maintenance supervision

Team leadership

Food industry knowledge

Regulatory compliance knowledge

Strong communication

MS Office

Maintenance work order system

Parts inventory system

PLC controls knowledge

Safety culture / zero-accident

Bilingual: Spanish or French

Tools

MS Office (Excel/Word)

Maintenance work order system

Parts inventory system

PLC controls

Job description

Maintenance Superintendent Job Description

Job Title: Maintenance Superintendent
Department: Maintenance
Reports To: Maintenance Manager
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: Liberty
Work Arrangement: On-Site
Shift / Schedule: 1st Shift
Travel Requirements: Minimal; travel may be required as needed between plants
Employment Type: Full-time

Role Overview / Purpose and Scope

The Maintenance Superintendent is a key member of the Farmer Focus Maintenance leadership team. This position is responsible for independently managing a maintenance team through subordinate supervisors to ensure production machinery operates at optimal capacity and that facilities and grounds are well maintained. This role provides leadership and direction to maintenance personnel, supports safe and efficient plant operations, manages maintenance systems and budgets, and partners with operating teams to reduce downtime, improve reliability, and maintain a zero-accident culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain the preventive maintenance program to ensure machinery is kept in optimal and safe working condition.

• Determine work order priorities and schedule repairs, maintenance, and installation of machines and equipment to minimize disruption to manufacturing operations.

• Supervise maintenance department personnel in day-to-day operations to ensure minimal downtime and costs while supporting accountability, productivity, and efficiency.

• Manage the department budget within approved limits; monitor spending and recommend cost-saving and standardization methods.

• Identify and implement cost reduction opportunities in conjunction with operating teams.

• Establish and enforce Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to regulate the maintenance function within the processing plant.

• Mentor, coach, train, and cross-train employees to encourage career development; provide consistent feedback concerning strengths and areas for improvement.

• Administer performance improvement plans and disciplinary actions on a fair and consistent basis.

• Follow, promote, and ensure subordinates adhere to all safety initiatives, helping maintain a zero-accident culture.

• Establish, communicate, and maintain expectations that support safety, company standards, and clear direction for employees.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Work within the framework of Farmer Focus CARES values: Community, Accountability, Respect, Excellence, and Stewardship.

Compensation

$115,00 - $130,000

Benefits

Farmer Focus offers a competitive total rewards package designed to support team members’ health, financial well-being, and professional growth. Available offerings may include weekly payroll, paid time off and sick leave, semi-subsidized medical coverage, dental and vision plan options, a 401(k) plan with company match, HSA and FSA, education reimbursement opportunities, employee assistance programs (EAP), and internal learning, development, and career growth programs.

All benefits, programs, and offerings are subject to eligibility requirements, plan terms, and company policies, and may be changed, amended, ordiscontinuedby Farmer Focus at any time.

Qualifications

• Minimum three (3) years of relevant progressive maintenance supervision experience in a manufacturing setting preferred; five (5) or more years of experience in the food industry or protein industry strongly preferred.

• Minimum three (3) years of experience managing a large team across multiple shifts.

• Knowledge of food processing systems highly preferred.

• Knowledge of relevant regulatory requirements governing the food industry and a thorough understanding of required support for maintaining utility functions, such as refrigeration/freezing systems, boilers, HVAC, and PLC controls; experience with bread and batter equipment is a plus.

• Strong customer focus with the ability to communicate with all levels of the organization in a timely and professional manner.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to resolve issues efficiently and effectively.

• Proficient computer skills with knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Excel and Word; maintenance work order and parts inventory system knowledge preferred.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment using excellent organizational skills and precise attention to detail.

• Strong customer-centric attitude, high energy level, and strong sense of urgency.

Additional Qualifications

• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.

• Exceptional oral and written communication skills.

• Good judgment and strong problem resolution skills.

• Ability to successfully manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Experience in food manufacturing.

• Champion for safety, quality, and GMP standards as needed.

• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish or French.

New team members must be able to pass a drug,alcoholand background screening post-offer and prior to the start of their employment. The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that verification of employment eligibility be documented for all new employees by the end of their third day of work.

Work Environment, Physical Demands, and Travel

Work is performed on-site within a poultry production and processing environment. This position requires access to production areas and the ability to tolerate varying heat, wet, and chilled conditions within the plant. Hearing and eye protection are required in production areas, and team members must wear hair and beard nets and any additional personal protective equipment required by task, location, or safety standards.Ability to traverse throughout facilities, including moving up and down stairs as needed, both indoors and outdoors.Frequently subjected to varying environments, including extreme wet and cold or hot and humid conditions.Occasionally lifts up to 60 lbs.Must have 20/20 corrected vision and color vision.Must be able to climb stairs to view processes.Must be willing to participate on an audit team or safety committee.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position does not have an application deadline. Farmer Focus will recruit until the role is filled.

About Farmer Focus

Farmer Focus exists to promote and protect generational family farms by shifting farm-level decision-making and chicken ownership back to farmers and empowering them to farm the way they know is best. We are committed to producing 100% organic and humanely raised chicken that is better for people, the planet, and animals. Our culture is grounded in servant leadership and guided by our CARES values: Community, Accountability, Respect, Excellence, and Stewardship. Our top priorities are people, safety, and quality. At Farmer Focus, our vision is to disrupt the status quo by creating bold opportunities for people who demand more and deserve better.

EOE, including disability/vets