Utilities & Maintenance Manager

Kao USA, Inc.; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

401(k) with company match

36 days off (vacation + holidays + s

36 days off (vacation + holidays + s)

Job summary

Kao USA, Inc. in Cincinnati, OH, seeks a Utilities & Maintenance Manager to lead maintenance and utility functions, ensuring equipment availability and regulatory compliance in a production-driven environment.

You will supervise skilled trades and drive continuous improvement, safety, and cost-effective operations across facilities and utilities.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of maintenance management experience with proven leadership.
• 3+ years of maintenance planning experience.
• 5+ years of effective project management experience.
• Knowledge of boilers, steam, HVAC, chillers, refrigeration, compressed air, electrical, water/WWT.
• Technical training or certifications in electrical, mechanical, and general trades.

Responsibilities

• Lead maintenance & utilities teams to minimize downtime and ensure equipment availability.
• Drive reliability through root-cause analysis and KPI tracking (MTBF/MTTR).
• Manage budgets, spare parts, and capital projects; plan shutdowns and upgrades.
• Ensure safety policies, training, and regulatory compliance across teams.
• Support sustainability and energy-efficiency initiatives and cost reduction.

Skills

Maintenance leadership

Maintenance planning

Project management

Utilities systems knowledge

Regulatory compliance knowledge

Team development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline or Facilities Management

Associate’s degree acceptable

Tools

CMMS knowledge

Job description

Role Overview

Reporting to the Sr. Manager, Facilities, as the Utilities & Maintenance Manager you will lead and manage maintenance (maintenance-related operational activities) and utility (RO water, WWT, compressed air, chilled water and bulk raw material processes) functions to ensure equipment availability, infrastructure reliability, regulatory compliance, and minimal downtime – supporting overall business operations and production goals.

Benefits

At Kao, we offer amazing benefits available from the first day including healthcare, a 401(k) plan with company match, 36 total days off (vacation + holidays + sick), and a reasonable salary range of $100,000 – $120,000.

Responsibilities

• Maintenance & Utilities Leadership: supervise a team performing preventative, predictive, and corrective maintenance on production equipment and facilities; ensure timely repairs and minimize equipment downtime; manage CMMS; supervise the operation/maintenance of utility systems, including boilers, chillers, air compressors, electrical distribution, RO water, and WWT operations.
• Reliability & Efficiency: drive equipment reliability through root‑cause analysis and continuous improvement; monitor KPIs such as MTBF and MTTR.
• Team Development & Safety: lead teams of skilled trades personnel, technicians, and shift leads; foster a culture of safety, accountability, and training; enforce safety policies and compliance.
• Planning & Budgeting: manage maintenance and utility budgets, spare parts inventories, and capital projects; lead and participate in annual shutdowns, facility upgrades, and expansions.
• Strategic Contribution: ensure business continuity by keeping utilities and production assets in optimal condition; support sustainability and energy‑efficiency initiatives; reduce costs and risks through proactive maintenance and utility optimization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline or Facilities Management (preferred); associate’s degree acceptable.
• 5+ years of maintenance management experience with proven leadership.
• 3+ years of maintenance planning experience.
• 5+ years of effective project management experience.
• Utilities system knowledge, e.g., boilers, steam, HVAC, chillers, refrigeration, compressed air, electrical, water/WWT.
• Technical training or certifications in electrical, mechanical, and general construction trades.
• Strong knowledge of engineering concepts, including electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical systems.
• Knowledge of regulations and requirements from governing agencies such as OSHA, MSD, EPA.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Kao USA is an equal opportunity employer, including disability/vets.