Maintenance Manager (Indoor Automated Vertical Farm)

Oishii • Phillipsburg, NJ

17d

About The Position

The Maintenance Manager is an essential member of the Production Engineering team, responsible for maintaining 100% uptime, peak operating efficiency, and the safety of Oishii’s indoor vertical farming technologies. The role executes standard operating procedures and oversees maintenance across plumbing, electrical, mechanical, electro-mechanical, and automation systems. It collaborates with farm operations, engineering, and plant science to support initiatives at the company’s facility.

The manager leads maintenance technicians and daily maintenance operations, develops and improves maintenance systems and procedures, oversees repairs and external support, and ensures regulatory and safety compliance. The position works Tuesday through Saturday from 2:00 PM to 11:00 PM, with availability required for at least one weekend day per week. There may be occasions requiring responses to off-hours facility or team emergencies.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, Associate’s degree, or equivalent trade or technical training in Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, or HVAC engineering.
• 8 to 10 years of progressive technical maintenance experience in manufacturing, industrial, food production, or commercial production environments.
• At least 5 years leading maintenance technician teams of 8 or more employees.
• Experience managing critical projects across electrical, plumbing, mechanical, controls, and facility systems.
• Experience with CMMS software, maintenance engineering analytics, and reporting.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds; hand dexterity; ability to climb a ladder, crouch or kneel, reach, and stretch.
• Comfort working in an active, non-sedentary role for periods of up to 5 to 6 hours at a time.
• Must not be allergic to bees.
• Availability for the Tuesday–Saturday, 2:00 PM–11:00 PM schedule, including at least one weekend day per week, and occasional off-hours emergency responses.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively verbally and in writing, prioritize and adapt to changing needs, collaborate cross-functionally, lead and develop teams, troubleshoot, exercise sound judgment, take ownership, and handle sensitive employee-relations matters with tact and confidentiality.

Nice To Haves

• OSHA 10/30 certification.

Responsibilities

• Lead people-management activities, including hiring, onboarding, training, coaching, performance management, employee development, scheduling, attendance and timecard management, conflict resolution, and disciplinary actions.
• Foster a positive, accountable, safety-focused culture and clearly communicate expectations and timely feedback.
• Ensure consistent application of company policies and procedures, including leading difficult conversations when needed.
• Use CMMS to coordinate and manage daily maintenance operations during the second shift.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve maintenance systems, operating procedures, and equipment SOPs.
• Oversee equipment repairs, vendor relationships, and contractor support activities.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory and safety requirements.
• Respond to maintenance issues, troubleshoot system failures, and drive timely resolution.
• Support facility commissioning and escalations, and document facility improvement opportunities.
• Collaborate with farm operations, engineering, and plant science on facility initiatives.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k).
• 100% employer-paid life insurance and long-term disability insurance.
• Paid parental leave.
• Paid time off and paid sick time.
• Paid training.
• Seven paid holidays.
• Office social events, including team lunches, parties, and community service projects.
• Employee activity groups.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Associate degree