Ice Cream Maintenance Manager
About The Position
The Maintenance Manager leads all Production and Facility Maintenance operations at the Sikeston site in a 24/7 ice cream manufacturing environment. The role is accountable for safe, reliable, and efficient performance; implementation of the Ice Cream Manufacturing System (ICMS); and strengthening site Safety, Quality, Output, and Cost performance. The manager also champions The Ice Cream Way behaviors and ensures compliance with Safety, Health, Environmental, GMP, OSHA, and Process Safety Management requirements. Reporting to the Associate Director of Engineering, the Maintenance Manager oversees Engineering Supervisors and maintenance personnel, and serves as site leadership when the Associate Director is absent. The position leads maintenance for three mix control plants supporting high-volume production and site capacity of 220 million liters. It manages repair and maintenance budgets exceeding $10 million, improves factory performance measures, supports capital and infrastructure planning, and develops team capability and engagement.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering or a related field.
- At least 5 years of maintenance leadership experience in manufacturing; experience in a 24/7 environment is strongly preferred.
- Proven experience leading technical teams and delivering results through structured systems such as ICMS, UMS, WCM, TPM, or Lean.
- Deep knowledge of GMPs, HACCP, OSHA requirements, and manufacturing compliance.
- Strong technical understanding of mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing systems.
- Capability to lead change, influence others, and build high-performing teams.
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States full-time without current or future employer sponsorship.
Nice To Haves
- Maintenance leadership experience in a 24/7 manufacturing environment.
- Overall knowledge of refrigeration systems.
Responsibilities
- Role-model The Ice Cream Way behaviors: Ownership, Teamwork, Pride in Quality, Safety Mindset, and Continuous Improvement.
- Champion a proactive safety culture and lead implementation of site Safety, Health, and Environmental programs.
- Participate in the Central Safety Health Environmental Committee (CSHEC), own required programs, and ensure compliance with OSHA, GMP, and internal safety standards.
- Embed ICMS practices into daily work systems through strong governance, disciplined execution of standards, and operator engagement.
- Build an inclusive, respectful environment in which employees are empowered to own results and act when safety or quality is at risk.
- Lead end-to-end Production and Facility Maintenance operations at the Sikeston site, ensuring asset reliability, uptime, and adherence to ICMS Engineering and Maintenance standards.
- Oversee Process Safety Management requirements for ammonia refrigeration, steam, electrical, and other high-hazard systems.
- Lead operation and maintenance support for three mix control plants serving high-volume ice cream production.
- Serve as Preventive Maintenance (PM) Pillar Champion and ensure standards, schedules, centerlines, and asset strategies are executed.
- Strengthen preventive and autonomous maintenance systems to improve mean time between failures and reduce unplanned downtime.
- Lead Parts Room operations, inventory optimization, and cost control in alignment with ICMS Work Processes.
- Collaborate with Safety, Quality, and Production partners to drive reliability improvements, capability building, and disciplined problem-solving.
- Support Capital Expenditure Request (CER) development, long-term infrastructure planning, and transformation initiatives.
- Manage repair and maintenance budgets exceeding $10 million, balancing cost stewardship with reliability improvements.
- Deliver year-over-year improvements in OEE, waste/giveaway, labor productivity, attainment, and business waste reduction.
- Ensure maintenance plans, troubleshooting practices, and reliability roadmaps support site production capacity of 220 million liters.
- Lead, coach, and develop Engineering Supervisors and skilled maintenance technicians in a 24/7 operation.
- Build an ICMS-aligned work system that empowers operators and technicians to solve problems close to the source.
- Strengthen technical capability through training, certification, and progression pathways aligned with ICMS.
- Foster collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement, and pride in craftsmanship.
- Manage performance, develop talent pipelines, and introduce ways of working that improve team effectiveness and engagement.
Benefits
- Market-competitive pay and performance-related rewards.
- Flexible ways of working.
- Support for health, wellbeing, and life outside work.
- Time off to rest and recharge.
- Ongoing learning and development opportunities.
- Bonus eligibility.
- Long-term incentive eligibility.
- Health insurance, including prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage.
- Retirement savings benefits.
- Life insurance and disability benefits.
- Parental leave and sick leave.
- Paid vacation and holidays.
- Access to voluntary benefits.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
