Senior Manager, Process & Utility Maintenance

Dairy Farmers of America; Joplin (AR); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Dairy Farmers of America is seeking a seasoned facilities maintenance leader to oversee all processing and utilities maintenance in a high-speed aseptic and ESL beverage manufacturing plant.

You will lead engineers, maintenance managers, and technicians to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable plant operations while driving asset reliability, preventive maintenance, and capital project execution. Strong cross-functional collaboration and a focus on GMP and food safety are essential.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; Bachelor's degree preferred in a related technical field.
• 5–8 years maintenance experience in a food/beverage/dairy environment with 1+ year leadership experience.
• Experience with aseptic/ESL processing and sanitary manufacturing environments preferred.
• Experience with utilities systems, PLCs/automation, and CMMS.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise maintenance supervisors and staff to build a high-performing team.
• Maintain predictive and preventive maintenance across aseptic/ESL plants to minimize downtime.
• Oversee maintenance for facility utilities, electrical distribution, and process equipment.
• Provide technical leadership in aseptic and ESL operations, including contamination control and hygienic design.
• Ensure compliance with FDA, USDA, SQF, GMP, and internal food-safety requirements.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to justify capital projects to improve safety, quality, and efficiency.
• Coordinate with Operations, Quality, R&D, Warehousing, HR, Safety, and Supply Chain to implement changes.
• Develop and monitor maintenance KPIs (OEE, downtime, PM compliance).
• Ensure training and documentation are in place for MOC and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Communication

Planning & execution

Data interpretation

Change management

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CMMS

PLCs/Automation

Job description

Dairy Farmers of America is seeking a seasoned facilities maintenance leader to oversee all processing and utilities maintenance in a high-speed aseptic and ESL beverage manufacturing plant.

You will lead engineers, maintenance managers, and technicians to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable plant operations while driving asset reliability, preventive maintenance, and capital project execution. Strong cross-functional collaboration and a focus on GMP and food safety are essential.