Maintenance Superintendent
Position Summary
The Maintenance Superintendent provides strategic leadership and day-to-day oversight of all maintenance activities—including routine, preventive, corrective, and capital-project-related work—at the East Chicago, IN facility. This role reports directly to the Facility Manager and is accountable for ensuring safe, reliable, and cost-effective operation of all plant assets.
About the Role
The facility includes a wide range of rotating equipment (pumps, compressors, motors), fixed equipment (vessels, heat exchangers, piping systems, cooling towers), electrical distribution systems, instrumentation, buildings, grounds, and all supporting infrastructure for Air Separation and Liquid Hydrogen production units.
Essential Functions
Lead daily maintenance execution by planning, prioritizing, scheduling, and directing work to ensure safe and reliable equipment performance.
Own and manage CMMS processes including work order creation, prioritization, execution, and closure.
Optimize maintenance best practices through effective resource scheduling, craft training, and high-quality work execution with a strong focus on safety and reliability.
Support development and control of maintenance budgets through accurate tracking, forecasting, and cost adjustments.
Manage the approved work backlog to ensure timely and efficient execution.
Communicate daily with operations and facility leadership to align priorities and respond to schedule interruptions.
Provide troubleshooting support and coordinate with internal departments for technical and procurement needs.
Administer predictive maintenance programs and ensure compliance with site requirements.
Oversee contractor performance and cost control to ensure safe, high-quality work.
Manage spare parts inventory to support equipment reliability and minimize downtime.
Deliver annual productivity improvement goals through process optimization and reliability enhancements.
Utilize maintenance and reliability KPIs to drive continuous improvement.
Lead root cause failure analyses and implement corrective actions for recurring equipment or process issues.
Work Environment
This role includes both office and field responsibilities. Candidates must be available during off-hours, able to travel overnight up to 10%, and capable of working in varying weather conditions. Physical requirements include climbing ladders, accessing elevated equipment, working from scaffolding or man-lifts, and entering confined spaces.
Organizational Structure
Direct Reports (8 FTE): 4 I&E Technicians, 4 Mechanical Technicians
Indirect Reports (5 FTC): 3 Mechanical Contractors, 2 Electrical Contractors
Key Accountability Metrics
% Overtime
Fixed maintenance cost
Reliability
Availability
Overdue KPIs (Policies, PMs, Safety, RCA/PHA action items)
Maintenance schedule compliance
Reduction of repetitive failures
Contractor and maintenance team safety performance
Minimum Qualifications
Associate degree in Engineering with 5+ years of industrial maintenance/reliability experience OR 10+ years of hands-on industrial maintenance/reliability experience.
3+ years of supervisory or management experience leading industrial maintenance personnel.
Proven expertise in maintaining, repairing, and troubleshooting industrial equipment including centrifugal and reciprocating compressors, pumps, fixed equipment, cooling towers, piping, heat exchangers, control valves, instrumentation, electrical distribution, and motors.
Knowledge of preventive and predictive maintenance technologies used in industrial environments.
Experience managing turnarounds, maintenance programs, work processes, and best practices.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities under time and cost pressure with minimal supervision.
Strong communication, interpersonal, facilitation, influencing, and negotiation skills with the ability to work effectively in a matrix organization.
Experience mentoring and developing personnel and fostering collaborative, diverse working relationships.
Proficiency with computers and standard software (MS Office, email, CMMS).
Experience managing environmental, safety, and health procedures.
Desired Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or Engineering Technology.
Knowledge of electrical distribution systems and NFPA 70E requirements.
Experience managing maintenance in the chemical or air separation industry.
Experience managing contractors and supplier relationships.
Understanding of regulatory requirements, industrial standards, and codes.
Experience with CMMS platforms such as Infor EAM or ProCal.
Experience developing maintenance schedules using MS Project or Primavera.
Training in leading RCAs.
Green Belt certification.