Plant Maintenance Supervisor

Smithfield Foods•Crete, NE

About The Position

The Plant Maintenance Supervisor leads maintenance teams responsible for installing, repairing, and performing preventive maintenance on critical equipment throughout the plant, facilities, utilities, and powerhouse. The role focuses on maintaining smooth operations, 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 planning and scheduling with Production; implements maintenance systems; and supports troubleshooting, problem analysis, and equipment-failure resolution. The role also monitors maintenance performance through key performance indicators and status reports, ensures work complies with USDA regulations, and maintains maintenance and inventory records. In the absence of key personnel, the supervisor assumes or delegates required responsibilities. The role includes coaching and employee development, along with supervisory responsibilities such as hiring, training, assigning and directing work, performance appraisal, and addressing employee complaints.

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 providing training, coaching, or mentoring to 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, 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, team-oriented approach and ability to build 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 processes.
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 maintenance and inventory records.
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 and carry out supervisory responsibilities, including interviewing, hiring, training, planning and assigning work, directing work, appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees, and addressing complaints.