Maintenance Group Leader - Food Production

Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc.•Orrville, OH

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Maintenance Group Leader oversees manufacturing and plant operations on a shift basis and has direct responsibility for work teams and larger projects. The role reports to the Maintenance and Reliability Manager and is responsible for ensuring work is performed in compliance with food safety, quality, safety, and regulatory requirements. The position leads operational improvements and supports continuous improvement practices, including standard work, problem identification, A3 problem solving, and decision-making. It develops work area team leaders through coaching, goal setting, training, and performance reviews; supports hiring; coordinates with other group and team leaders; and serves as the primary liaison between work teams and other management. The role also supports quality excellence, food safety, product development, and compliance with company, customer, and regulatory standards. The leader ensures compliance with OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM), EPA Risk Management Program (RMP), IIAR standards, and applicable dairy industry guidelines. Responsibilities include administering the Management of Change (MOC) process and ensuring applicable pre-startup safety reviews (PSSR) are completed. Work is typically performed on-site, with limited travel expected. The typical schedule is a five-day work week on second shift, with additional hours and days, including weekends and holidays, as required.

Requirements

Associate's degree in a mechanical or electrical discipline.
At least 3 years of leadership experience in a manufacturing environment (the stated range is 3–5 years).
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 comfortably 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 close cooperation with the quality control team.
Develop a culture of continuous improvement using standard work, problem identification, A3 problem solving, and decision-making at the level of execution.
Lead operational improvements in assigned work area teams.
Ensure work area teams follow the continuous improvement framework for Safety, Food Safety Quality, and Productivity during Daily Management Meetings.
Guide and model practices for other group leaders to help them achieve their goals.
Work with operational and functional group and team leaders to identify, prioritize, and resolve issues between teams.
Develop work area team leaders through formal bi-weekly coaching, goal setting, training, and timely performance reviews.
Monitor the engagement level and attitude of group leaders and team leaders.
Support team leaders in developing and maintaining standard work and implementing and following defined standards.
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.
Promote the company's vision and mission.
Ensure appropriate implementation and management of Safety and Food Safety Quality GMPs.
Ensure compliance with state and federal safety and food safety quality regulations, as well as company and customer standards.
Work with teams to set goals and demonstrate meaningful improvements in Safety, Food Safety Quality, and Productivity.
Ensure regulatory compliance with OSHA PSM, EPA RMP, IIAR standards, and other applicable dairy industry guidelines.
Administer the MOC process for changes to equipment, processes, chemicals, and operating conditions.
Ensure applicable pre-startup safety reviews (PSSR) are completed.
Manage company business according to company cultural objectives and execute the principles of the Operational Excellence program.
Participate in cross-functional teams as required to advance the company's business interests.
Comply with company and regulatory policies and guidelines relating to associate safety, food safety, and food quality.
Perform other duties as assigned.