Manager, Maintenance

Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.; Portales (NM); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. is seeking a experienced Maintenance Manager to lead the maintenance department at our Portales, NM facility. You will direct personnel activities, oversee preventive maintenance, and ensure safety, quality, yields, throughput, and efficiencies meet company goals.

The role requires strong leadership, engineering background, and dairy operations experience. You will manage cost control, parts supply, and regulatory compliance while driving continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or equivalent experience.
• 5–8 years maintenance, mechanical engineering, or related experience with leadership exposure.
• Experience in dairy manufacturing preferred.
• Experience leading safety policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage a maintenance department qualified to maintain all equipment and facilities safely and efficiently.
• Maintain operating equipment within vendor specifications and tolerances.
• Lead preventive and predictive maintenance programs to minimize downtime and extend asset life.
• Coordinate with engineering and management on equipment modifications to improve operations and reduce costs.
• Ensure SAP and other systems support task planning with parts, time, and job descriptions.

Skills

Leadership

Maintenance management

Safety compliance

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

SAP

MS Office

Job description

General Purpose

Manage and provide leadership, direction, and support to the maintenance department to ensure the effective delivery of maintenance services in accordance with the company’s policies, OSHA regulations, and applicable laws. Ensure that safety, quality, yields, throughput, and efficiencies are met. Resolve issues in a timely manner. Direct personnel activities, such as recruitment, hiring, performance evaluations, and employee development within the framework of established human resources policies and practices.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and manage a maintenance department qualified to maintain all equipment and facilities in a safe and efficient working condition
• Maintain all operating equipment in satisfactory condition. Ensure that equipment operates within the specifications and tolerances established by the equipment vendor/manufacturer
• Develop objectives and standards of performance for activities and projects within the maintenance department to meet departmental, divisional, and corporate goals and objectives
• Oversee the development and execution of an effective predictive/preventive maintenance program which has a maintenance strategy for all assets to remove unscheduled down time, increase the lifespan of assets by keeping them in optimal condition, and contain maintenance strategies so assets are timely maintained to minimize costs associated with asset breakdowns
• Ensure systems (e.g., SAP) support task planning with time required, parts required, and job descriptions to maximize maintenance activities during normal plant operation, in time made available during washes, planned downtime, and periodic maintenance shuts. Use project management chart detailing activities during planned downtime
• Maintain awareness of maintenance best practices and establish benchmarks, strategy, and plan to achieve world class maintenance
• Serve as an escalation point of contact for emergency maintenance requests
• Consult with engineering and management regarding desirable modifications of existing equipment and the possible replacement of existing equipment which will improve operations and reduce maintenance costs
• Analyze cost studies of proposals for new equipment. Make recommendations to management
• Plan and provide for an adequate supply and ensure control over spare parts and maintenance supplies
• Implement cost-reduction measures to control expenses that impact the operating budget for repair, utility, pretreatment, and maintenance. May be involved in developing the capital budget
• Keep management aware of all matters that impact equipment and facility performance
• Remain current with latest and emerging industry regulations and codes relative to mechanical and electrical systems design and operation
• Develop procedures and policies for maintenance department
• Oversee department schedules to maximize both preventive and repair services, while minimizing unnecessary overtime expenditures
• Manage assigned employees, including recruitment, supervision, scheduling, development, evaluation, and performance management. Understand and effectively apply work rules, union contract provisions (if applicable), and employment policies. Administer discipline consistently and fairly. Work with Human Resources and plant management to resolve employee grievances
• Follow all DFA good manufacturing practices (GMP) and work in a manner consistent with all company regulatory, food safety, quality, and sanitation requirements
• The requirements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employee, but is not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required.Other duties may be assigned as required

Education and Experience

• Undergraduate degree (or equivalent combination of experience and education)
• 5 to 8 years maintenance, mechanical engineering, or related experience coupled with demonstrated leadership attributes, team leadership, or supervisory experience; 1+ year of manager experience preferred
• Manufacturing operations or production experience in dairy industry preferred
• Experience leading and following safety policies and procedures
• Certification and/or License – may be required during course of employment; electrical, welding, boiler, refrigeration, compressed air, wastewater, or plumbing licenses or certificates preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of facility equipment and processes
• Knowledge of and skill with Microsoft Office Suite and company computer systems
• Knowledge of principles and practices of supervision, training, and personnel management
• Able to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Able to work in collaboration effectively and foster good teamwork
• Able to think and use independent judgment in planning and organizing multiple tasks and information
• Able to adapt to changing operational needs and lead others through change
• Able to set appropriate priorities within the maintenance department and instill sense of urgency to implement action plan and improve performance
• Able to lead and instruct others on the proper and safe procedures
• Able to select, coach, develop, engage, and retain a team of employees
• Must be able to read, write and speak English

An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans