Maintenance Manager

About the Role

A leading food and beverage manufacturing organization is seeking a Maintenance Manager to lead maintenance operations at a high-volume production facility in Minneapolis. This is a highly visible leadership opportunity for a hands-on maintenance professional who excels in fast-paced manufacturing environments and is passionate about equipment reliability, safety, and continuous improvement.

The Maintenance Manager will oversee maintenance operations, develop and lead a skilled team, and drive strategies that maximize equipment uptime, plant efficiency, and operational performance. This individual will partner closely with plant leadership to support production goals while fostering a strong culture of safety and accountability.

Reports to: Plant Leadership

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the maintenance team to ensure all equipment and facility systems are maintained in a safe, reliable, and efficient manner.
• Oversee maintenance activities to ensure production assets operate within established performance specifications and standards.
• Establish departmental goals, objectives, and performance metrics aligned with broader business initiatives.
• Develop and execute predictive and preventive maintenance strategies designed to improve asset reliability, reduce unplanned downtime, and extend equipment life.
• Utilize maintenance management systems to support planning, scheduling, labor utilization, and parts management.
• Drive best practices in maintenance reliability and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for critical maintenance issues and emergency repairs.
• Collaborate with engineering and operations teams to identify equipment upgrades, process improvements, and capital investment opportunities.
• Evaluate new equipment proposals and provide recommendations based on cost, performance, and operational impact.
• Manage spare parts inventories and maintenance supply programs to support operational needs.
• Identify and implement cost-saving initiatives while maintaining equipment reliability and plant performance.
• Develop and manage maintenance budgets, including repair, utility, facility, and capital spending as applicable.
• Maintain communication with leadership regarding equipment performance, maintenance trends, and operational risks.
• Ensure compliance with applicable safety regulations, industry standards, and facility requirements.
• Optimize maintenance scheduling to balance preventive maintenance activities, equipment repairs, and labor utilization.
• Lead employee recruitment, coaching, performance management, and workforce development efforts.
• Support positive employee relations and effectively administer workplace policies and procedures.
• Promote and maintain adherence to food safety, quality, sanitation, and regulatory standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Maintenance, Industrial Technology, or a related discipline, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5+ years of maintenance, engineering, or reliability experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Prior leadership experience managing maintenance teams in a production setting.
• Experience within food and beverage manufacturing strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to workplace safety and safe operating practices.
• Strong technical knowledge of industrial utility systems and manufacturing equipment, including boilers, refrigeration systems, packaging equipment, material handling systems, and high-speed processing assets.
• Hands-on experience with industrial ammonia refrigeration systems.
• Possession of a state boiler operator license or ability to obtain/maintain required certifications.
• Working knowledge of industrial electrical systems, including 480V three-phase power and motor control circuits.
• Experience troubleshooting PLC-controlled equipment is preferred.
• Additional certifications in electrical, welding, boiler operations, refrigeration, compressed air systems, wastewater treatment, or related trades are considered a plus.
• Ability to travel occasionally as business needs require.

What the Company Offers

• Competitive compensation package.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Company-sponsored retirement savings plan with employer contributions.
• Paid vacation and holiday programs.
• Tuition assistance and professional development opportunities.
• Employee recognition and referral programs.
• Strong opportunities for career advancement and internal promotion.
• Stable, growth-oriented manufacturing environment with a strong commitment to employee development.