Maintenance Group Leader - Food Production

Prairie Farms Dairy•Orrville, OH

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Maintenance Group Leader oversees manufacturing and plant operations on a shift basis and reports to the Maintenance and Reliability Manager. The position has direct responsibility for work teams and larger projects, ensuring compliance with food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements. The role leads operational improvement and team development while supporting safety, food safety and quality, and productivity objectives. The leader works with operational and functional colleagues to resolve issues, support continuous improvement, coach team leaders, and coordinate hiring and performance reviews. The position also administers applicable Process Safety Management (PSM) activities, including management of change and pre-startup safety reviews. Work is typically five days per week on second shift, with additional days or hours, including weekends and holidays, as required. Expected activity is approximately 80% on-site supervision and problem-solving, 10% office work, and 10% meetings, planning, audits, tours, and related activities. Limited travel is expected.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in a mechanical or electrical discipline.
At least 3–5 years of leadership experience in a manufacturing environment.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
Excellent organizational and leadership abilities.
Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills.
Strong time management skills.
Excellent analytical and critical-thinking skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic, unionized manufacturing environment.
Strong aptitude for automation, automation controls, and control logic.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or electrical engineering.
Technical experience with ammonia refrigeration and Process Safety Management.

Responsibilities

Support quality excellence, food safety, and product development efforts in cooperation with the quality control team.
Develop continuous improvement practices using standard work, problem identification, A3 problem solving, and decision-making at the execution level.
Lead operational improvements in assigned work area teams.
Ensure work area teams apply the continuous improvement framework for safety, food safety and quality, and productivity during Daily Management Meetings.
Guide and model effective practices for other group leaders.
Work with group and team leaders across operational and functional teams to identify, prioritize, and resolve issues.
Develop work area team leaders through bi-weekly coaching, goal setting, training, and timely performance reviews.
Monitor the engagement and attitude of group leaders and team leaders.
Support team leaders in developing, maintaining, implementing, and following standard work.
Support hiring through candidate review and interviews.
Serve as the primary liaison between work teams and other management.
Stay current with industry trends and technology, and promote the company's vision and mission.
Ensure appropriate implementation and management of safety and food safety and quality GMPs.
Ensure compliance with state and federal safety and food safety and quality regulations, as well as company and customer standards.
Work with teams to set goals and demonstrate meaningful improvements in safety, food safety and quality, and productivity.
Ensure regulatory compliance with OSHA PSM, EPA RMP, IIAR standards, and other applicable dairy industry guidelines.
Administer the management of change (MOC) process for changes to equipment, processes, chemicals, and operating conditions.
Ensure pre-startup safety reviews (PSSR) are completed for applicable changes.
Manage company business according to its cultural objectives and apply the principles of the Operational Excellence program.
Participate in cross-functional teams as required to advance company business interests.
Comply with company and regulatory policies and guidelines relating to associate safety, food safety, and food quality.
Perform other duties as assigned.