Director of Maintenance

SUMMARY:

The Director of Maintenance is responsible for developing, leading, and executing the plant’s corrective, preventive, and predictive maintenance strategies to maximize equipment reliability, operational performance, and facility uptime. This role provides strategic leadership for all maintenance and facility operations while driving a proactive, reliability-focused culture centered on safety, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

As a key member of the plant leadership team, the Director of Maintenance partners closely with Operations, Engineering, Quality, and Safety leadership to support business objectives, plant performance, and long-term growth.

This position directly oversees one Maintenance Manager and two Maintenance Supervisors while leading the continued development of a high-performing maintenance organization.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and is passionate about building a world-class reliability culture.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Develop, lead, and execute the plant’s corrective, preventive, and predictive maintenance strategy to maximize reliability, uptime, and operational performance.
• Serve as a key member of the plant leadership team, partnering closely with Operations, Engineering, Quality, and Safety to achieve business objectives.
• Build and sustain a proactive, reliability-focused maintenance culture centered on safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing maintenance organization, including one Maintenance Manager and two Maintenance Supervisors.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on equipment reliability, OEE, cost reduction, and operational efficiency.
• Champion Lean Manufacturing, TPM, root cause analysis, and predictive maintenance best practices across the facility.
• Oversee maintenance planning, scheduling, CMMS management, spare parts strategy, and contractor performance.
• Lead root cause investigations and implement sustainable solutions to improve equipment reliability and reduce downtime.
• Manage maintenance budgets, capital projects, equipment upgrades, and facility improvement initiatives.
• Ensure all maintenance activities are performed safely and in compliance with company, food safety, and regulatory standards.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Lead and develop a high-performing maintenance organization, including 1 Maintenance Manager, 2 Maintenance Supervisors, and maintenance personnel. Provides leadership in alignment with company policies and applicable laws, including hiring, training, performance management, workforce planning, employee development, and resolution of employee relations matters.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering required.
• 7+ years of maintenance leadership experience in a highly automated manufacturing environment; food or pet food experience preferred.
• Strong experience with corrective, preventive, and predictive maintenance systems.
• Proven track record driving Lean Manufacturing, TPM, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong technical understanding of automated manufacturing systems, including PLCs, controls, pneumatics, hydraulics, and industrial equipment.
• Experience with CMMS systems, maintenance planning, and reliability-focused maintenance practices.
• Demonstrated leadership, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration skills

Computer and Technology Skills:

Proficient in MS Office applications, AutoCAD, or SolidWorks. SAP preferred