Plant Maintenance Supervisor - 1st Shift

Smithfield Foods•Cudahy, WI

About The Position

The 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 supports smooth operations by minimizing mechanical downtime, maximizing production efficiency, and keeping production processes and lines running effectively. The supervisor leads and develops Maintenance Mechanics and Electricians, coordinates maintenance with Production, implements maintenance systems, and provides both long-term solutions and daily troubleshooting support. The position also monitors maintenance performance, maintains records and inventory, ensures work complies with USDA regulations, and may assume or delegate responsibilities when key personnel are absent. The role includes supervisory duties such as hiring, training, assigning work, evaluating performance, and addressing employee concerns.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Engineering or a related field and at least 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 related to 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, including PLCs, instrumentation, or mechanical engineering.
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.
Respectful, approachable, and team-oriented approach to building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.
Bilingual ability.

Responsibilities

Lead Maintenance Mechanics and Electricians in predictive and preventive maintenance and machine repairs.
Train employees in proper work methods and safety procedures.
Supervise and support maintenance systems, processes, and documentation.
Coordinate timely maintenance scheduling with Production for 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.
Maintain accurate records of maintenance work and inventory.
Assume or delegate required tasks and responsibilities in the absence of key personnel.
Support a positive employee experience through employee development and coaching.
Provide leadership and guidance to Maintenance Department employees.
Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable laws, including interviewing, hiring, training, planning and assigning work, directing work, appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees, addressing complaints, and helping resolve them.