Shift Manager Maintenance

Cleveland-Cliffs; East Chicago (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Cleveland-Cliffs in East Chicago, IN, is seeking a Shift Manager Maintenance to lead skilled maintenance personnel responsible for keeping critical equipment operating safely and reliably. You will coordinate preventive and breakdown maintenance, drive safety and reliability improvements, and collaborate with operations and engineering teams in a fast‑paced plant environment.

Ideal candidates bring strong problem solving, leadership in a union environment, and experience with mechanical and

Qualifications

• Read mechanical blueprints and schematics.
• Know mechanical drives, hydraulics, and crane systems.
• Basic knowledge of industrial electrical systems.
• Strong troubleshooting and decision-making skills.
• Ability to lead a skilled maintenance workforce.
• Able to work rotating shifts, including weekends/holidays.
• Proficient with Word and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day direction for union craft employees maintaining and repairing plant equipment.
• Coordinate preventive, predictive, planned, and emergency maintenance activities.
• Foster a strong safety culture with daily safety communications and inspections.
• Assign and oversee maintenance work aligned with production needs.
• Troubleshoot equipment failures and coordinate repairs during shutdowns and breakdowns.
• Collaborate with operations, maintenance, engineering, and other supervisors to minimize downtime.
• Read and interpret blueprints and technical docs; manage spare parts inventory.
• Coach and develop employees and manage workplace relations per policy.

Skills

Blueprints reading

Mechanical systems

Electrical systems (industrial)

Troubleshooting

Leadership & supervision

Shift work (24/7)

Communication skills

MS Word & Excel

Education

Associate degree in Mechanical Engineering or related tech field

High school diploma/GED + skilled trades training

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

Job description

Location: East Chicago, IN

Cleveland-Cliffs has an immediate opportunity for a Shift Manager Maintenance at our East Chicago, Indiana location. We have multiple openings across the plant and are looking for hands‑on leaders who enjoy solving problems, developing people, and making an impact in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.

As a Shift Manager Maintenance, you will lead skilled maintenance employees responsible for keeping critical equipment operating safely and reliably. You’ll work closely with operations, maintenance, engineering teams, our bargaining unit workforce, and outside contractors to solve equipment challenges, coordinate maintenance activities, and improve plant reliability. This is an opportunity to combine your mechanical and maintenance knowledge with frontline leadership, while building valuable experience in one of the most complex industrial manufacturing environments.

Summary of Responsibilities

• Lead and provide day-to-day direction to union craft employees responsible for maintaining and repairing plant equipment.
• Coordinate preventive, predictive, planned, and emergency maintenance activities to support safe and reliable operations.
• Champion a strong safety culture by reinforcing safety expectations, conducting daily safety communications, monitoring safety activities, and completing inspections.
• Assign and oversee maintenance work while supporting established department priorities and production needs.
• Troubleshoot equipment failures and coordinate repairs during planned shutdowns and unexpected breakdowns.
• Partner with operations, maintenance, engineering, and other supervisors to coordinate work and minimize equipment downtime.
• Read and interpret blueprints, schematics, specifications, work orders, production schedules, and technical documentation.
• Monitor critical spare parts and inventory needed to support maintenance activities.
• Coach, train, and develop employees while providing clear expectations, feedback, and technical guidance.
• Support employee relations and address workplace concerns in accordance with company policies and applicable labor agreements.
• Identify opportunities to improve maintenance practices, equipment reliability, safety, and team performance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ability to read and interpret mechanical blueprints and schematics.
• Working knowledge of mechanical equipment and systems, including mechanical drives, hydraulics, and crane systems.
• Basic knowledge of industrial electrical systems.
• Strong troubleshooting, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills.
• Ability to effectively lead, communicate with, and provide direction to a skilled maintenance workforce.
• Ability to work rotating shifts, including weekends and holidays, within a 24/7 manufacturing operation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3+ years of frontline maintenance leadership or supervisory experience in a heavy industrial or manufacturing environment, preferably within a steelmaking facility.
• Associate degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or a related technical field; or a high school diploma/GED combined with relevant craft or skilled‑trades training.
• Experience leading or working with a represented/union skilled‑trades workforce in an industrial environment.

Relocation assistance is not provided for this position.

Cleveland-Cliffs is a leading North America‑based steel producer with focus on value‑added sheet products, particularly for the automotive industry. The Company is vertically integrated from the mining of iron ore, production of pellets and direct reduced iron, and processing of ferrous scrap through primary steelmaking and downstream finishing, stamping, tooling, and tubing. We offer an excellent total compensation package, including competitive pay with variable compensation opportunity, health insurance, retirement plan, education assistance, paid time off, and more.

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process,

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. is an equal opportunity employer – M/F/Veteran/Disability. We are a drug‑free workplace and conduct pre‑employment screening as a condition of employment.