Senior Technical Operations Manager

Shearer; Burlington (IA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Shearer’s Foods in Iowa is seeking a Senior Manager Technical Operations to lead maintenance and engineering at the site, driving asset reliability and capital project execution. You will partner with plant leadership to optimize preventive and corrective maintenance, and to strengthen safety, quality, and productivity.

This role requires a strong track record in GMP manufacturing, CMMS experience, and a proven ability to develop teams, manage budgets, and deliver multi-year capital plans while

Qualifications

• Nine+ years in maintenance leadership in food manufacturing.
• Experience in GMP-regulated environments.
• Demonstrated people-management experience and team development.
• Strong knowledge of health, safety, and environmental regulations (GMP).
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and resolve complex operational issues.
• Collaborates across quality, health and safety, manufacturing, and other teams.
• Proficient with CMMS and building management systems.
• Experience developing and managing capital programs.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and strategic execution to improve asset capacity and reliability.
• Lead maintenance and engineering functions, including CAPEX execution.
• Drive preventive and corrective maintenance processes and KPIs.
• Develop and implement site maintenance procedures and standards.
• Oversee site shutdown planning and capital project execution.
• Manage maintenance budgets and partner with vendors to optimize costs.

Skills

Maintenance leadership

Safety and compliance

Capital project management

People management

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic planning

Budget management

Engineering knowledge

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor of Science in engineering

Tools

Maintenance Connection CMMS

Building management systems

MS Office

Job description

Overview

Shearer’s Foods, founded in 1974 and headquartered in Massillon, OH, is a leading manufacturer of salty snacks, cookies, and crackers. Specializing in private label and co-manufacturing, Shearer’s is the largest supplier of private brand salty snacks and second-largest supplier of private brand cookies and crackers.

With a strong focus on innovation, service, quality, and sustainability, Shearer’s has been awarded the food industry’s highest award for environmental sustainability, as well as multiple Supplier of the Year awards.

Operating 16 locations across North America and employing more than 5000 team members, Shearer’s is driven by its core values of People, Grow, Impact and Win. The company mission is to deliver exceptional products and services that make snacking a time to celebrate for our customers, colleagues, and community.

At Shearer’s Foods, we believe in a skills-first approach to recruitment and employment. This means focusing on what you can do and how you can grow, rather than traditional metrics alone. We are committed to adhering to anti-exclusion practices, removing barriers to access, and enhancing opportunities for all individuals based on merit and potential. Your skills, experience, and perspective are valuable—and we want to empower you to make your mark here with us.

Responsibilities

Senior Manager Technical Operations

This position provides leadership and strategic execution to improve asset capacity & reliability through technical support of the site maintenance and engineering function, driving effective utilization of the preventive and corrective maintenance processes. This role will also be responsible for the engineering leadership and CAPEX execution for the site. Primary delivery of this position will be to work directly with the plant director, regional technical leadership and plant maintenance to improve maintenance key performance metrics, build organizational capability and support the execution of the capital process.

Experience with fixed and rotating equipment, reliability-centered maintenance engineering, capital program development and execution, and field operations. Strong record of execution and results improvement. Experience with Maintenance Connection CMMS and operational leadership is preferred, along with food manufacturing experience.

• Promote the belief that every job can be performed safely and that no task is worth risking the health, safety, or well-being of plant employees or the community
• Model safe behaviors to help maintain a safe work environment
• Ensure strict adherence to all plant safety policies and procedures
• Support both internal and external transformation team initiatives to improve the sites current capabilities.
• Lead and continuously improve the sitewide maintenance strategy to reduce unplanned manufacturing downtime
• Lead the identification, planning, execution, and documentation of preventive and corrective maintenance activities to ensure asset reliability and compliance
• Lead the development and execution of site capital projects
• Develop and execute three- to five-year capital strategies that support site continuity, asset condition, and productivity
• Develop, implement, and optimize site maintenance procedures and standards to support safe, consistent operations
• Oversee site shutdown planning and execution to minimize downtime and protect critical manufacturing schedules
• Manage maintenance budgets and drive cost-effective solutions without compromising quality or safety
• Establish, monitor, and improve key performance indicators for leading maintenance metrics
• Manage the site maintenance manager and capital projects leader/engineer
• Serve as the site subject matter expert for maintenance and engineering processes
• Build, train, and develop a high-performing maintenance management team through cross-training and succession planning
• Own the maintenance management system and ensure the accuracy of master data, work orders, and spare-parts programs
• Partner with engineering teams and external vendors to implement best practices and strengthen service strategies

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or a related field with nine years of relevant industry experience, or 13 years of equivalent industry experience in lieu of a degree; GMP-regulated, short-shelf-life food industry experience preferred
• Proven maintenance leadership experience in a regulated food manufacturing environment
• Demonstrated people-management experience, including coaching, performance management, and team development
• Strong knowledge of health, safety, and environmental regulations, including current Good Manufacturing Practice requirements
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and resolve complex operational issues in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment
• Strong collaboration skills across quality, health and safety, manufacturing operations, and other cross-functional teams
• Proficiency with computerized maintenance management systems, building management systems, and standard office software
• Demonstrated success partnering with external vendors and engineering teams to implement maintenance best practices
• Experience developing and managing capital programs

• Other duties as assigned.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.