1st shift maintenance supervisor

We are partnering with a leading ready-to-eat (RTE) protein manufacturer seeking an experienced Maintenance Supervisor to lead maintenance activities across a high-volume food manufacturing facility.

This is a critical first-shift leadership position responsible for supervising maintenance personnel, driving equipment reliability, minimizing downtime and ensuring the facility operates safely and efficiently.

The successful candidate will be a hands-on maintenance leader with strong experience in food, protein or high-volume manufacturing, capable of developing a skilled maintenance team while proactively improving equipment reliability and plant performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise the day-to-day activities of the maintenance team on 1st Shift, ensuring effective coverage and response to production needs.
• Coordinate preventative and predictive maintenance programs to improve equipment reliability and reduce unplanned downtime.
• Provide hands-on leadership and technical support to maintenance technicians across production and facility equipment.
• Respond quickly to equipment breakdowns and work closely with Production to restore equipment and minimize production disruption.
• Monitor maintenance KPIs including downtime, PM compliance, MTBF, MTTR and maintenance costs.
• Identify recurring equipment issues and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Develop and maintain preventative maintenance schedules in coordination with the Maintenance Manager and Engineering teams.
• Ensure maintenance work is completed safely, efficiently and in accordance with company procedures.
• Support troubleshooting of electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic and automated equipment.
• Partner with Production, FSQA, Sanitation and Engineering to improve overall plant performance.
• Lead root-cause analysis and continuous improvement initiatives focused on equipment reliability and operational efficiency.
• Manage maintenance parts, tools and inventory to ensure critical spares are available when required.
• Assist with equipment installations, upgrades, modifications and capital improvement projects.
• Ensure maintenance activities comply with OSHA, USDA, food safety, GMP and company standards.
• Train, coach and develop maintenance technicians, creating a strong culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Participate in hiring, performance management and succession planning within the maintenance department.
• Maintain accurate maintenance records, work orders and shift handover documentation.
• Support plant shutdowns, major repairs and scheduled maintenance projects as required.

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will be an experienced Maintenance Supervisor, Maintenance Lead, Maintenance Manager or Senior Maintenance Technician with a strong background in a high-volume manufacturing environment.

We are particularly interested in candidates who have:

• Experience leading a maintenance team within protein, meat, poultry, RTE, food or beverage manufacturing.
• Strong troubleshooting capabilities across mechanical and electrical systems.
• Experience managing preventative and predictive maintenance programs.
• A track record of reducing downtime and improving equipment reliability.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to coach and develop maintenance technicians.
• The ability to work collaboratively with Production and other plant functions.
• A hands-on approach and willingness to be visible on the production floor.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3+ years of maintenance leadership or supervisory experience.
• Experience within RTE protein, further processing or high-volume food manufacturing strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of industrial electrical and mechanical systems.
• Experience with PLCs, VFDs, conveyors, packaging equipment and automated production systems.
• Familiarity with CMMS systems and maintenance KPI reporting.
• Knowledge of OSHA, GMP, USDA and food safety requirements.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, TPM or continuous improvement methodologies is preferred.
• Technical degree, engineering qualification or relevant trade certification is advantageous.