Maintenance Manager

Dairy Farmers of America•Town of East Greenbush, NY

About The Position

The Maintenance Manager leads and supports the maintenance department to ensure effective maintenance services in accordance with company policies, OSHA regulations, and applicable laws. The role is accountable for safety, quality, yields, throughput, and efficiency, and resolves issues in a timely manner. It also directs personnel activities, including recruitment, hiring, performance evaluations, and employee development, in accordance with established human resources policies and practices. The manager develops a qualified maintenance team and oversees equipment and facility maintenance, predictive and preventive maintenance programs, task planning, spare-parts controls, and maintenance schedules. The role establishes performance objectives and standards, promotes maintenance best practices, serves as an escalation contact for emergencies, and works with engineering and management on equipment modifications, replacements, and new-equipment proposals. It also controls expenses, may contribute to capital budgeting, keeps management informed about equipment and facility performance, and maintains awareness of relevant regulations and codes. The position manages employee recruitment, supervision, scheduling, development, evaluation, and performance management. It applies work rules and employment policies, addresses discipline and grievances with Human Resources and plant management, and ensures compliance with good manufacturing practices and company regulatory, food safety, quality, and sanitation requirements. Other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

Undergraduate degree or equivalent combination of experience and education.
Five to eight years of maintenance, mechanical engineering, or related experience, coupled with demonstrated leadership attributes, team leadership, or supervisory experience.
Experience leading and following safety policies and procedures.
Able to communicate clearly and effectively in spoken and written communication.
Able to collaborate effectively and foster teamwork.
Able to use independent judgment to plan and organize multiple tasks and information.
Able to adapt to changing operational needs and lead others through change.
Able to set priorities within the maintenance department and create urgency around action plans and performance improvement.
Able to lead and instruct others in proper and safe procedures.
Able to select, coach, develop, engage, and retain employees.
Must be able to read, write, and speak English.
Knowledge of facility equipment and processes.
Knowledge of and skill with Microsoft Office Suite and company computer systems.
Knowledge of supervision, training, and personnel management principles and practices.

Nice To Haves

At least one year of manager experience.
Manufacturing operations or production experience in the dairy industry.
Electrical, welding, boiler, refrigeration, compressed air, wastewater, or plumbing licenses or certificates.

Responsibilities

Develop and manage a maintenance department qualified to maintain equipment and facilities safely and efficiently.
Maintain operating equipment in satisfactory condition and ensure it operates within vendor or manufacturer specifications and tolerances.
Develop performance objectives and standards for maintenance activities and projects in support of departmental, divisional, and corporate goals.
Oversee the development and execution of predictive and preventive maintenance programs and asset maintenance strategies to reduce unscheduled downtime, extend asset lifespan, and control breakdown costs.
Ensure systems such as SAP support maintenance task planning, including required time, parts, and job descriptions; coordinate maintenance during normal operations, washes, planned downtime, and periodic shutdowns.
Use project management charts to detail activities during planned downtime.
Stay current with maintenance best practices and establish benchmarks, strategies, and plans to achieve world-class maintenance.
Serve as an escalation point of contact for emergency maintenance requests.
Consult with engineering and management about equipment modifications or replacement options to improve operations and reduce maintenance costs.
Analyze cost studies for proposed new equipment and make recommendations to management.
Plan for an adequate supply of spare parts and maintenance supplies and ensure their control.
Implement cost-reduction measures affecting repair, utility, pretreatment, and maintenance operating expenses; may participate in capital budget development.
Keep management informed of matters affecting equipment and facility performance.
Remain current with industry regulations and codes related to mechanical and electrical systems design and operation.
Develop maintenance department procedures and policies.
Oversee department schedules to maximize preventive and repair services while minimizing unnecessary overtime.
Manage assigned employees through recruitment, supervision, scheduling, development, evaluation, and performance management.
Apply work rules, union contract provisions if applicable, and employment policies; administer discipline consistently and fairly.
Work with Human Resources and plant management to resolve employee grievances.
Follow DFA good manufacturing practices and company regulatory, food safety, quality, and sanitation requirements.