Maintenance Manager - Food Manufacturing (Ammonia Refrigeration)
The Maintenance Manager is responsible for the safe, efficient, and uninterrupted operation of a modern food processing facility equipped with complex electrical and mechanical systems, including boilers, ammonia compressors, air compressors, and hydraulic systems. This role oversees the operation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of all processing equipment, utilities, building systems, and grounds, ensuring reliability and minimal downtime.
Compensation: $150,000 - $170,000 + 20% bonus. Strong benefits.
Site Notes: 500+ non-union employee plant, Frozen Food products (USDA & ammonia refrigeration environment), 85%+ Spanish speaking population, 30+ Maintenance Techs and 4 Supervisors, TPM (Total Productive Maintenance) implementation experience. Appeal: largest U.S. plant, very limited turnover, extremely positive culture and top 100 U.S. employer.
Job Description & Overview:
The manager will lead a skilled maintenance team, drive Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) and Lean continuous‑improvement initiatives, and ensure compliance with food‑manufacturing regulations such as USDA, FDA, OSHA, EPA, DEQ, and other applicable standards. This position also owns the plant maintenance budget, controls inventory and capital expenditures, and partners with Engineering and Operations to plan future capacity and facility upgrades.
Leadership & Team Development
Create a culture where safety is the top priority, proactively identifying and resolving safety issues across the plant.
Supervise, coach, and develop the maintenance team by clarifying roles, setting performance expectations, and promoting ownership to minimize downtime and maximize reliability.
Lead talent development, assess technical skills, and build individualized development plans to strengthen maintenance knowledge, safety practices, and succession readiness.
Partner with Human Resources on recruiting, hiring, training, performance management, and employee relations, ensuring a high‑performing, engaged maintenance workforce.
Mentor and guide team members to meet current production demands and prepare them for future business needs.
Maintenance Operations & Continuous Improvement
Coordinate and direct day‑to‑day maintenance activities, including planned and unplanned repairs, troubleshooting of machinery and facility systems, and 24/7 on‑call support as needed.
Establish and track KPIs and maintenance metrics, analyze performance data, and report to Senior Management on equipment reliability, safety, and cost efficiency.
Lead Lean continuous‑improvement initiatives (including Kaizen, 5M5Y, STPD, TPM), driving cross‑functional events to reduce waste, eliminate downtime, and improve asset reliability.
Collaborate with Engineering and Operations on plant projects, recommend specifications and schedules, negotiate contractor prices, and inspect contractor work to ensure compliance with safe work practices and SOPs.
Asset Management, Safety & Compliance
Determine preventive maintenance (PM) cycles for all equipment and systems, direct electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic maintenance activities, and ensure PMs are completed and documented.
Plan and oversee preventive maintenance programs, maintain maintenance records, work orders, and equipment histories through a CMMS.
Monitor and maintain the safe operation of the ammonia system, conduct ammonia safety and rescue training, and deliver HAZWOPER and other required safety instruction.
Ensure compliance with USDA, FDA, OSHA, EPA, DEQ, and other regulatory requirements related to food safety, environmental performance, and facility operations.
Budget, Inventory & Facilities Management
Prepare, implement, and monitor the maintenance department budget, including labor, parts, contractor services, and capital investments.
Maintain and track manufacturing assets, facility systems, and spare‑parts inventory, manage purchase orders, approve invoices, and optimize inventory levels to support operations without over‑stocking.
Determine minimum and maximum inventory levels, reduce parts usage through PM‑driven reliability, root‑cause troubleshooting, and analysis of broken or worn components.
Plan capital expenditure budgets with the General Manager and control inventory of critical equipment and long‑life assets.
Monitor incoming water and wastewater usage, tracking key parameters such as BOD and TSS, to ensure environmental compliance and efficient resource use.
Qualifications Seeking:
Bachelors Degree Preferred OR Equivalent Experience
5+ years’ experience in a fast‑paced manufacturing setting, including hands‑on maintenance and leadership responsibilities.
Relevant certifications in mechanical/electrical systems, ammonia refrigeration, safety (OSHA, HAZWOPER), or CMMS, and TPM‑related training are strongly preferred.
Strong Lean and continuous‑improvement experience, especially Kaizen, 5M5Y, STPD, and TPM, with demonstrated ability to lead cross‑functional improvement events.
Experience with 3‑phase power systems, PLC controls, general troubleshooting, and structured PM programs.
Ability to read and interpret blueprints, parts manuals, machine drawings, and use computer programs such as Visio or CMMS tools.
Strong analytical and decision‑making skills, including interpretation of technical specifications, financial reports, and regulatory requirements.
Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to respond to inquiries from customers, regulators, and the business community, and to present complex technical and financial information to senior leadership.
Proficiency with mathematical and statistical concepts, including fractions, percentages, ratios, and basic geometry, applied to real‑world maintenance and reliability scenarios.
Self‑motivated, results‑oriented, and highly proactive, with the ability to lead, coach, influence, and retain a high‑performance maintenance team under pressure.