Front Maintenance Lead

Position Summary

The Front Maintenance Lead supports safe, reliable, and efficient manufacturing operations by coordinating daily maintenance activities, troubleshooting equipment issues, and guiding maintenance technicians assigned to the production area. This position works closely with Production, Quality, and other departments to minimize downtime, complete preventive maintenance, and ensure equipment operates in accordance with safety, quality, and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements.

The Front Maintenance Lead serves as a hands-on technical resource and provides day-to-day work direction but does not have formal supervisory authority unless specifically assigned.

Key Responsibilities

Equipment Maintenance and Reliability

• Perform and coordinate preventive and corrective maintenance on production, processing, filling, packaging, and facility equipment.

• Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic equipment problems.

• Respond promptly to breakdowns and prioritize repairs to minimize production downtime.

• Support efficient line changeovers, equipment setups, adjustments, and start-ups for different products and batch requirements.

• Identify recurring equipment problems and recommend long-term corrective actions or process improvements.

• Verify that completed repairs meet operational, safety, and quality expectations.

Team Leadership and Support

• Provide daily work direction to maintenance mechanics and technicians based on production priorities.

• Train and mentor team members on equipment operation, troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and safe work practices.

• Help assign and monitor work orders, preventive maintenance tasks, and urgent repairs.

• Promote teamwork, accountability, and clear communication within the maintenance team.

• Escalate performance, attendance, safety, or conduct concerns to the Maintenance Supervisor or Manager.
   

Safety and Quality Compliance

• Follow and reinforce OSHA, Utah Occupational Safety and Health requirements, and company safety procedures.

• Ensure compliance with lockout/tagout (LOTO), machine guarding, electrical safety, and other applicable maintenance safety requirements.

• Follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), sanitation, documentation, and quality procedures.

• Report safety hazards, equipment risks, product-quality concerns, and maintenance-related incidents promptly.

• Maintain clean, organized, and safe maintenance and production work areas.

Cross-Functional Communication

• Partner with Production and Quality teams to prioritize repairs, maintenance activities, and line readiness.

• Provide timely updates regarding equipment status, repair progress, expected downtime, and operational risks.

• Coordinate maintenance work to reduce disruption to production schedules.

• Participate in shift handoffs, production meetings, equipment reviews, and continuous-improvement initiatives.

• Document completed work, repairs, equipment history, and follow-up needs in the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS).

Parts and Inventory Management

• Monitor critical spare parts, tools, and maintenance supplies.

• Help maintain accurate inventory levels and recommend replacement or reorder needs.

• Ensure tools, parts, and supplies are properly stored, labeled, and maintained.

• Assist with sourcing parts or vendor support for urgent or specialized repairs.

Qualifications and Requirements

Education

• High school diploma or GED required.

• Technical trade certification, apprenticeship, associate degree, or other related maintenance training preferred.

Experience

• At least 10 years of hands-on industrial maintenance experience in a fast-paced manufacturing, processing, or packaging environment.

• Previous lead, training, or work-coordination experience strongly preferred.

• Experience in cosmetic, personal-care, food, pharmaceutical, or another GMP-regulated manufacturing environment preferred.

Technical Skills

• Advanced mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic troubleshooting skills.

• Ability to read and interpret equipment manuals, electrical schematics, technical drawings, and preventive maintenance instructions.

• Working knowledge of motors, sensors, conveyors, pumps, fillers, packaging equipment, and related production systems.

• Experience using CMMS software to manage work orders and equipment-maintenance records.

• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and other standard business applications.

• Ability to use diagnostic tools and maintenance equipment safely and effectively.

Leadership and Communication Skills

• Ability to guide, train, and support maintenance employees.

• Strong judgment and ability to prioritize competing maintenance and production needs.

• Clear verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to work collaboratively with Production, Quality, Engineering, and other departments.

• Dependable, organized, and responsive during urgent equipment issues.

• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.

Physical and Work Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, climb, reach, and work in and around manufacturing equipment for extended periods.

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Ability to work safely around moving equipment, electrical systems, chemicals, elevated areas, and varying noise levels.

• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment.

• Ability to work scheduled shifts, overtime, weekends, or respond to urgent maintenance needs as required by business operations.

Additional Expectations

• Maintain accurate and timely maintenance records.

• Protect confidential company, equipment, and product information.

• Follow all Wasatch Product Development policies and workplace expectations.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Wasatch Product Development provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law. This job description describes the position’s primary responsibilities but is not intended to include every duty that may be assigned.