Maintenance Supervisor

J.D. Irving, Limited; Ashland (ME); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

J.D. Irving, Limited is seeking a Maintenance Supervisor to lead the sawmill maintenance team and maximize equipment reliability.

You will oversee millwrights and technicians, manage preventive maintenance schedules, and coordinate rapid troubleshooting for heavy wood-processing machinery. The role emphasizes safety via strict LOTO enforcement, collaboration with production teams, and minimizing downtime to keep mill operations efficient.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; a technical degree or trade certification in mechanical, electrical, or industrial maintenance strongly preferred.
• 2–5 years hands-on industrial maintenance experience, preferably in sawmill, lumber, or heavy manufacturing; supervisory experience required.
• Strong safety focus with understanding of behavior-based safety programs.
• Strong mechanical troubleshooting skills, hydraulics, pneumatics, and CMMS experience.
• Willingness to learn, career development mindset, multitasking in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee repair and servicing of sawmill machinery including de-barkers, trimmers, sorters, stackers, chippers, and hydraulic/pneumatic systems.
• Supervise, train, and mentor maintenance technicians, millwrights, and apprentices.
• Enforce safety protocols, conduct safety audits, and perform risk assessments (LOTO).
• Coordinate non-emergency maintenance routes, manage preventive maintenance tasks, and adjust plans for emergencies.
• Collaborate with production supervisors to align maintenance windows with operational targets and minimize downtime.
• Track replacement parts with purchasing teams and help manage department repair budgets.
• Occasional fieldwork and travel may be required domestically and internationally.

Job description

Job Description

We are seeking a results-driven Maintenance Supervisor to lead our sawmill maintenance team and maximize equipment reliability. In this role, you will oversee a skilled crew of millwrights and technicians, manage comprehensive preventive maintenance schedules, and coordinate rapid troubleshooting for heavy wood-processing machinery. A successful candidate will champion a culture of safety by strictly enforcing Lock-Out/Tag-Out (LOTO) protocols while collaborating closely with production teams to minimize downtime and keep mill operations running at peak efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Equipment Maintenance: Oversee the repair and servicing of specialized sawmill machinery, including de-barkers, , trimmers, sorters, stackers, chippers, and hydraulic or pneumatic systems.
• Team Leadership: Supervise, train, and mentor maintenance technicians, millwrights, and apprentices.
• Safety Enforcement: Ensure complete compliance with safety protocols, including Lock-Out/Tag-Out (LOTO) procedures, safety audits, and risk assessments.
• Planning and Scheduling: Coordinate non-emergency maintenance routes, manage preventive maintenance tasks, and adjust workflows to handle emergency breakdowns.
• Cross-Department Communication: Work closely with production supervisors to align maintenance windows with operational targets and prevent unnecessary downtime.
• Inventory and Cost Control: Track replacement parts with purchasing teams and help manage department repair budgets.
• Occasional fieldwork and travel are required domestic and international.
  

Qualifications

• Education Preferred: High school diploma required; a technical degree or trade certification in mechanical, electrical, or industrial maintenance is strongly preferred.
• Years of Experience Preferred: Minimum of 2 to 5 years of hands-on industrial maintenance experience, preferably in a sawmill, lumber, or heavy manufacturing environment. Supervisory experience is required.
• A strong commitment to safety and an understanding to behavior-based safety programs.
• Strong background in mechanical troubleshooting, hydraulics, pneumatics, and computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS).
• Understanding & Experience in Process Improvement is an asset.
• Demonstrated willingness to learn and interest in career development.
• Ability to multi-task in a multidisciplinary environment, with a high level of detail.
• Organizational, prioritizing and time management skills.
• Willingness to work a seven day on, seven day off shift as well as being on-call.
• Ability to work individually and as part of a team.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Demonstrated flexibility with an ability to work in a fast-paced environment.