Maintenance Planning

Maintenance Manager | Food & Beverage Manufacturing | Cherokee, OK | $131K–$150K

🏭 Maintenance Manager
🗺️
Cherokee, OK
📍 Food & Beverages Industry | Onsite
💼 Mid-Senior Level | Management
📅 Full-time | 1 Position Available

Compensation: $131,000 – $150,000 (confidential if posted externally)
🚚 Relocation: Limited assistance available
Visa Sponsorship: Not available

🎯 Position Purpose

The Maintenance Manager will oversee the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of maintenance practices that keep plant equipment, grounds, and production processes running efficiently. This leader will play a vital role in driving operational excellence, ensuring compliance, and fostering a culture of safety while leading the engineering and maintenance teams.

🛠️ Key Responsibilities

  • Plant Operations & Layout: Develop and optimize plant processing lines to support operational changes or expansions.

  • Safety & Compliance: Ensure strict adherence to OSHA regulations and all company safety policies.

  • Team Leadership: Equip and guide engineering and maintenance teams with the tools, training, and knowledge needed to sustain facility operations.

  • Budget & Projects: Oversee Capital and Expense Budget projects and ensure timely execution.

  • Vendor & Contractor Management: Build strong working relationships with external contractors and vendors to ensure efficient project delivery.

  • Cross-Department Collaboration: Partner closely with other departments to resolve daily operational challenges and drive plant-wide success.

  • Continuous Improvement: Identify issues proactively and lead solutions in a structured, constructive manner.

✅ Qualifications

  • Education: Associate’s degree in a relevant field (or equivalent experience).

  • Experience: 5+ years of management experience in manufacturing (meat industry experience preferred).

  • Licenses/Certifications: State Mechanical Contractor’s License.

  • Technical Expertise:

    • Strong mechanical aptitude with working knowledge of electrical & mechanical systems.

    • Basic understanding of refrigeration systems.

    • Familiarity with CAD and PLC equipment.

  • Skills:

    • Strong problem-solving and decision-making ability.

    • Excellent project and priority management.

    • Effective communicator and self-starter with leadership skills across all organizational levels.

    • Computer literacy (Excel, MS Word).

⚙️ Work Environment & Physical Demands

  • Ability to sit, stand, or walk for extended periods throughout the day.

  • Occasional lifting of up to 40 lbs with proper technique.

  • Work may require personal protective equipment (safety glasses, hearing protection, etc.).

  • Exposure to extreme temperatures (-40°F to 110°F) and high-noise environments.

📌 Why This Role?

This is a fantastic opportunity for a hands-on Maintenance Manager ready to lead in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment. You’ll take ownership of critical operations, drive continuous improvements, and make a direct impact on plant safety, efficiency, and long-term sustainability.

 

Manufacturing Maintenance Manager | Plant Engineer | West Chicago, IL | $116K-$130K

Job Title: Manufacturing Maintenance Manager – Plant Engineer

Travel Requirement: Not required

Visa Sponsorship: Not available

Location: West Chicago, IL (On-site)

Compensation:

  • Salary Range: $116,160 – $130,680 (USD)

  • Bonus: Annual target bonus of 12.5% of base salary (discretionary)

  • Relocation Package: Full

Must-Have Qualifications:

  • Supervisory experience in a manufacturing environment

  • Experience managing a manufacturing maintenance department

  • Engineering degree in Mechanical, Chemical, or Industrial Engineering

  • Minimum of 3+ years leading a plant maintenance department in an industrial manufacturing setting

Nice-to-Have Qualifications:

  • Knowledge of OSHA requirements

  • Experience with CMMS

  • Strong communication and leadership skills

Job Description:

The Manufacturing Maintenance Manager/Plant Engineer is responsible for ensuring plant equipment reliability, implementing maintenance excellence initiatives, and supporting operational efficiency. This role reports to the Plant Manager and plays a key part in plant leadership.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Promote and ensure employee safety through compliance with environmental and safety regulations

  • Implement a reliability-centered maintenance process to improve machine uptime and operational efficiency

  • Lead maintenance teams to achieve high standards of plant condition and equipment performance

  • Develop and support technical training for maintenance personnel

  • Oversee capital projects, plant budgeting, and cost management within the maintenance department

  • Apply reliability tools to identify root causes of equipment failures and implement preventive measures

  • Collaborate with plant leadership to drive process improvements and meet operational goals

Preferred Skills & Experience:

  • Strong understanding of OSHA equipment regulations and ability to implement safety countermeasures

  • Experience leading and developing high-performing teams

  • Strong project management and organizational skills

  • Proficiency in root cause analysis techniques such as FMEA, 5Why’s, and ATS

  • Basic knowledge of mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and predictive maintenance processes

  • Cost management and process optimization expertise

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and CMMS software

  • Experience with Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) or reliability-focused methodologies preferred

This company is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and encourages applications from all qualified individuals.

 

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