Manager, Maintenance and Engineering

C.H. Guenther & Son, Inc.; Prosperity (SC); On-site; USD 96,000 - 178,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Disability insurance

Retirement savings options

Flexible spending accounts

Employee assistance programs

Educational assistance

Parental leave

Paid time off

Company-paid holidays

Job summary

C.H. Guenther & Son, Inc. is seeking a Maintenance and Engineering Manager to oversee the maintenance planning, engineering function, and reliability initiatives at our food manufacturing facility in Prosperity, SC.

You will lead a team of maintenance supervisors and technicians, manage budgets, and drive continuous improvement to improve equipment uptime while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance across FDA, OSHA and GMP guidelines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Maintenance Management or related field.
• Minimum 5 years in maintenance management within food manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement preventive maintenance programs to minimise downtime and extend equipment life.
• Lead and mentor maintenance supervisors and technicians; assign tasks and monitor progress.
• Ensure production equipment operates safely and efficiently; coordinate with production to avoid downtime.
• Plan and oversee engineering projects for upgrades, installations and process improvements.
• Maintain safety compliance with FDA, OSHA and GMP; conduct inspections and audits.

Skills

Maintenance planning

Team leadership

Regulatory compliance

Continuous improvement

Budget management

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

CMMS software

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Maintenance and Engineering Manager will play a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth operation of our food manufacturing facility. You will be responsible for overseeing all maintenance activities, managing the engineering function, and implementing strategies to optimise equipment reliability and efficiency. Your expertise will be instrumental in maintaining compliance with safety regulations and driving continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity and reduce downtime.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintenance Planning and Management: Develop and implement preventive maintenance programs to minimise downtime and extend equipment life. Oversee and ensure routine maintenance, repairs and equipment installations are performed to the set standard. Maintain accurate records of maintenance activities, equipment performance, and compliance with safety regulations.
• Team Leadership: Manage, train and mentor a team of maintenance supervisors and technicians, ensuring high performance and skill development. Assign tasks and projects to team members, monitoring progress and providing feedback. Foster a positive and collaborative work environment.
• Equipment and Facility Management: Ensure all production equipment is operating efficiently and safely. Coordinate with the production team to schedule maintenance without disrupting production schedules. Oversee the maintenance of building infrastructure, including HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems.
• Engineering Projects: Plan and oversee engineering projects related to facility upgrades, equipment installations and process improvements. Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to identify opportunities for cost savings, energy efficiency and waste reduction. Manage project budgets, timelines and resources to ensure successful implementation.
• Safety and Compliance: Implement and enforce safety protocols to ensure a safe working environment. Stay up‑to‑date with local, state and federal regulations related to food manufacturing and maintenance. Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and standards governing food manufacturing operations, including FDA, OSHA and GMP guidelines. Conduct regular safety inspections and audits, addressing any issues promptly.
• Budget Management: Develop and manage the maintenance budget, ensuring cost‑effective use of resources. Identify opportunities for cost savings through improved maintenance practices and equipment upgrades. Work with suppliers and vendors to negotiate contracts and procure necessary parts and equipment.
• Continuous Improvement: Analyse maintenance performance metrics and identify areas for improvement. Implement best practices and innovative solutions to enhance maintenance efficiency and effectiveness. Participate in cross‑functional teams to support overall operational excellence. Flexibility to work non‑standard hours as needed, including evenings, weekends and holidays. Performs all other duties as assigned.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Education/Certifications and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Maintenance Management or a related field. Minimum of 5 years of experience in maintenance management within the food manufacturing industry.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Proficient use of computer, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote), and other related applications or software. Demonstrated leadership skills and possesses the ability to develop inter‑departmental relationships. Strong knowledge of food manufacturing processes, equipment and regulatory requirements. Proven leadership and team management skills. Excellent problem‑solving and decision‑making abilities. Strong communication and interpersonal skills. Proficient in using maintenance management software and other relevant computer applications. Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement methodologies is a plus. Ability to manage multiple tasks, often with competing deadlines. Ability to prioritise projects and clearly communicate direction internally and externally.
• Supervisory Responsibilities: Manage a team of Maintenance Supervisors and Technicians. Work requires supervising and monitoring work performance of direct reports including making final decisions on hiring and disciplinary actions, evaluating programme/work objectives and effectiveness, and realigning work and staffing assignments, as needed. Develop functional responsibilities of individuals that report to this position and ensure that best‑in‑class output is created.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Typical work in an office and manufacturing facility environment. Work involves daily and frequent exposure to unusual elements, such as dirt, dust, fumes, odours, darkness and/or poor lighting, noise and vibration. Seasonal exposure to weather elements to include, but not limited to, extreme temperatures, wetness and humidity. Work environment involves daily exposure to physical risks and hazards, such as working around mechanical equipment, mechanical hazards, forklifts, chemical hazards, electrical hazards, fire and explosives hazards, communicable diseases. Position requires the ability to stand; walking around office, warehouse and plant; lifting and carrying packages up to 50 pounds; utilising fine dexterity; and reaching, kneeling, crawling and twisting on a daily basis.

Expectations

Will demonstrate, promote and exemplify the Company's Core Values in People, Quality and Growth. At C.H. Guenther, we value transparency in compensation. By providing the salary range for this role, we aim to promote fairness and help candidates make informed choices about their career.

Salary and Benefits

The salary range for this role is: $95,938.00 - $178,010.00. Actual compensation may vary based on job‑related knowledge, skills and experience, as well as geographic location. C.H. Guenther & Son will never offer or pay a wage or salary that is not compliant with applicable local, state or federal pay laws, including minimum salary thresholds.

• health insurance
• disability insurance
• retirement savings options
• flexible spending accounts
• employee assistance programs
• educational assistance
• parental leave
• paid time off
• company‑paid holidays

Equal Opportunity

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of the pre‑employment screening process which includes a drug screen and review of criminal background and other records as required.

C.H. Guenther & Son and its subsidiaries are E‑Verify participating employers.

For additional information about our company, go to www.chg.com.

C.H. Guenther is a growing, privately owned corporation that has delivered high quality products, traditional flavours and our just 'baked from scratch' taste since 1851. We are a leading supplier of baked and frozen food products; appetizers, snacks and soups; gravies, sauces and seasonings; biscuits and more for foodservice and consumer markets in North America and Europe. Our well‑loved retail brands such as Pioneer, White Wings, Sun‑Bird and Cuisine Adventures have been included at family meals for generations. With a relentless pursuit of excellence, we develop innovative food solutions and create sustainable value for our people, our customers and our communities. We accomplish this by deploying best in class capabilities and being an employer of choice. We strive for high‑performance, with a positive attitude in all that we do. We are results driven, communicate openly and honestly, value diversity and foster long‑term relationships. Our leaders are committed to nurturing our diverse talent, their ideas and unique perspectives. We strive to harness the full potential of our most important resource – our people. Our heritage is driven by our commitment to the core values of integrity/respect, empowerment, accountability, collaboration and agility. Our vision is to nourish society as a transformational leader in the future of food. Join us in our purpose to create memorable moments through the power of food!