Plant Maintenance Supervisor

Smithfield Foods•Tar Heel, NC

About The Position

The Plant Maintenance Supervisor leads maintenance teams responsible for installing, repairing, and performing preventive maintenance on critical equipment across the plant, facilities, utilities, and powerhouse. The role helps ensure smooth operations, minimize mechanical downtime, maximize production efficiency, and keep product flows and production lines operating effectively. The supervisor oversees maintenance processes, systems, and documentation; coordinates repair scheduling with Production; addresses troubleshooting and equipment failures; tracks performance; and ensures maintenance work complies with USDA regulations. The role also supports employee development and coaching and may assume or delegate required duties when key personnel are absent.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Engineering or a related field and 2+ years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience acting as a lead by training, coaching, or mentoring less experienced staff, or by managing a process or project.
Ability to lead problem-solving and troubleshooting efforts associated with high-level process issues.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
May be required to work long hours and weekends.

Nice To Haves

Advanced technical skills in ammonia refrigeration, high-pressure boilers, compressed air, mechanical and electrical fields (such as PLCs, instrumentation, and mechanical engineering), and ability to lead resource-planning efforts in a large manufacturing environment.
Thorough knowledge of maintenance systems, work-order processes, preventive and predictive maintenance, TPM, inventory, and scheduling software.
Strong leadership skills, including conflict resolution, facilitation, change management, decision-making, empowerment, and delegation.
Good planning and priority-setting skills.
Ability to work well with others in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Ability to be respectful, approachable, and team-oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.
Bilingual.

Responsibilities

Lead Maintenance Mechanics and Electricians in predictive and preventive maintenance and machine repairs.
Train employees on proper work methods and safety procedures.
Supervise and support maintenance systems, processes, and documentation.
Schedule maintenance in collaboration with Production to address equipment and facility repairs.
Develop and implement maintenance systems, including preventive and predictive maintenance, TPM, SOPs, and safety practices.
Provide long-term solutions and day-to-day support for troubleshooting, problem analysis, and equipment failures.
Develop and maintain maintenance performance KPIs, including supplier and contractor performance, equipment reliability, and overall equipment effectiveness.
Provide regular status reports to the maintenance management team.
Ensure maintenance tasks comply with USDA regulations and maintain accurate records of work performed and inventory.
In the absence of key personnel, complete or delegate required tasks and responsibilities.
Promote a positive employee experience through employee development and coaching.
Provide leadership and guidance to Maintenance Department employees and carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable laws.
Interview, hire, and train employees; plan, assign, and direct work; appraise performance; reward and discipline employees; address complaints; and assist in providing appropriate resolutions.