Maintenance Manager

Imagine Baking is a growing food manufacturer located in Sandusky, OH that manufactures cookies, crackers!

The Maintenance Manager is responsible for leading all maintenance and reliability activities to ensure production equipment, machinery, utilities, and facility systems operate safely, efficiently, and with minimal downtime. This role oversees maintenance personnel, directs preventive and corrective maintenance programs, coordinates equipment repairs and capital projects, and ensures compliance with company policies and applicable OSHA safety requirements, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures. The Maintenance Manager partners closely with Operations, Engineering, and Production teams to optimize asset performance, improve maintenance processes, control maintenance costs, and support continuous improvement initiatives across the facility.

Responsibilities and Duties

Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Lead and promote a strong safety culture throughout the facility, ensuring compliance with all company policies, OSHA regulations, and environmental requirements.
• Ensure strict adherence to Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), machine guarding, confined space, electrical safety, and other applicable safety procedures.
• Conduct regular safety audits, risk assessments, and incident investigations, implementing corrective actions as needed.
• Develop and deliver training programs related to maintenance safety, equipment operation, and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure maintenance activities are performed in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Maintain a safe, organized, and compliant work environment through effective housekeeping and maintenance practices.

Maintenance & Reliability Management

• Direct all preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance activities to maximize equipment reliability and plant performance.
• Develop and manage maintenance strategies that minimize downtime and support production objectives.
• Oversee troubleshooting and resolution of mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and controls-related equipment issues.
• Ensure timely execution of emergency repairs while maintaining focus on long-term reliability improvements.
• Monitor equipment performance, analyze failure trends, and implement root cause corrective actions.
• Support capital projects, equipment installations, facility upgrades, and process improvements across the site.

Planning, Scheduling & Continuous Improvement

• Oversee the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) to manage work orders, asset history, preventive maintenance schedules, and inventory records.
• Establish maintenance priorities and allocate resources to ensure efficient completion of work orders and planned shutdown activities.
• Coordinate maintenance schedules with Operations, Engineering, Quality, and Production teams to minimize operational disruptions.
• Identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability, maintenance effectiveness, and overall equipment performance.
• Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as downtime, preventive maintenance compliance, equipment reliability, maintenance costs, and labor utilization.
• Ensure maintenance documentation, reports, and regulatory records are completed accurately and maintained appropriately.

Contractor & Facility Management

• Manage and oversee external contractors, vendors, and service providers performing maintenance or capital project work.
• Review contractor performance, safety compliance, and project execution to ensure adherence to company standards.
• Support facility maintenance, utility systems, building infrastructure, and equipment modernization initiatives.
• Assist with project planning, budgeting, and execution for facility improvements and equipment upgrades.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop maintenance supervisors, technicians, electricians, millwrights, and other maintenance personnel.
• Establish performance expectations and conduct employee evaluations, coaching, and development planning.
• Manage staffing levels, scheduling, training programs, and succession planning initiatives.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to align maintenance objectives with overall business and production goals.
• Develop and manage departmental budgets, maintenance expenditures, spare parts inventory, and cost-control initiatives.
• Support long-term asset management strategies and reliability-centered maintenance programs.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrial Maintenance, Mechanical Technology, Electrical Technology, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of maintenance leadership experience in a manufacturing, food processing, bakery, packaging, or industrial environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing maintenance personnel, contractors, preventive maintenance programs, and equipment reliability initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of industrial maintenance practices, facility systems, and asset management principles.
• Working knowledge of applicable OSHA regulations, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), machine guarding, electrical safety, and workplace safety requirements.
• Experience with maintenance planning, scheduling, budgeting, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Proficiency with Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS).

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license in Ohio, or ability to obtain licensure, preferred.
• Technical trade background as an Industrial Maintenance Technician, Electrician, Millwright, Mechanical Technician, or related industrial maintenance discipline.
• Experience in food manufacturing, bakery, packaging, or other regulated manufacturing environments.
• Multi-craft maintenance knowledge including mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and controls systems.
• Experience with automated production equipment, PLCs, VFDs, robotics, and industrial control systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in preventive, predictive, and reliability-centered maintenance programs.
• Experience utilizing CMMS platforms such as MaintainX, SAP PM, or similar systems.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, TPM (Total Productive Maintenance), and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Professional certifications such as CMRP (Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional), CMRT, PMP, or Lean Six Sigma certifications are considered an asset.

Skills and Abilities

• Technical Expertise: Strong knowledge of mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, automation, and facility systems used in manufacturing environments.
• Leadership & Team Management: Ability to lead, mentor, and develop maintenance personnel while promoting a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Equipment Reliability: Experience managing preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs to maximize equipment uptime and performance.
• Problem-Solving & Troubleshooting: Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify root causes and resolve equipment and operational issues efficiently.
• Maintenance Planning & Organization: Ability to prioritize work orders, manage maintenance schedules, coordinate shutdowns, and allocate resources effectively.
• CMMS Proficiency: Experience using Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) to manage work orders, asset history, and maintenance records.
• Budget & Inventory Management: Ability to manage maintenance budgets, spare parts inventory, contractor services, and departmental resources.
• Communication & Collaboration: Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work effectively across Operations, Engineering, Quality, and Production teams.
• Compliance & Safety Awareness: Knowledge of OSHA regulations, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), GMPs, food safety requirements, and industrial safety best practices.
• Continuous Improvement: Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, TPM, Six Sigma, and reliability improvement methodologies.
• Adaptability & Decision-Making: Ability to respond effectively to changing priorities, equipment failures, and operational emergencies.

Physical Demands

• Ability to regularly walk production floors and maintenance areas throughout the facility.
• Ability to occasionally lift or move materials and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to climb stairs, ladders, and work from elevated platforms as needed.
• Ability to bend, kneel, crouch, and access equipment in various locations throughout the facility.
• Ability to work in manufacturing environments with exposure to moving machinery, noise, varying temperatures, dust, and food production conditions.
• Ability to respond to maintenance emergencies and equipment breakdowns outside of normal working hours when required.

Expected Start Date: ASAP

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person