Talent.com
Maintenance Operations Manager
Maintenance Operations ManagerMiddlebury Cheese Company • Middlebury, IN, United States
Maintenance Operations Manager

Maintenance Operations Manager

Middlebury Cheese Company • Middlebury, IN, United States
30+ days ago
Job type
  • Full-time
Job description

Middlebury Cheese Company, a Northern Indiana cheese maker, is seeking a Maintenance Operations Manager  to lead our team. As a hands-on Maintenance Manager, you will ensure operational efficiency and equipment reliability while fostering team engagement and effectively prioritizing maintenance efforts. The ideal candidate will support continuous improvement initiatives, manage operations staffing and scheduling to meet customer demand, manage contractors, and develop and execute capital projects to maintain and enhance the plants infrastructure.

We are a subsidiary of the Michigan Milk Producers Association, the 10th largest dairy cooperative in the United States serving dairy farmer members in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Why youll love working here :

  • Competitive salary
  • health and wellness benefits with medical coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield, including mental health benefits
  • Disability insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Retirement including 401k with employer contributions
  • Personal and professional growth opportunities
  • Employee appreciation events and recognition awards
  • Employee wellness initiatives
  • Employees feedback and suggestion forums

Job Responsibilities :

Leadership & Team Management

  • Lead and manage the maintenance and operations team across a 3-shift schedule, building a culture of safety, customer service, ownership, and urgency.
  • Set clear performance goals, inspire team engagement, and enforce disciplined prioritization to transform a disengaged workforce into a high-performing unit.
  • Develop training programs to boost technical skills and empower rapid troubleshooting of mechanical and electrical systems.
  • Prepare annual operating budgets and track actual results versus budget focusing on labor efficiency, minimizing product shrink and downgrades and a focus on continuous improvement.
  • Provide decisive, hands-on leadership to resolve complex issues and model accountability.
  • Work with Human Resources to ensure staffing levels meet production needs
  • Process & Reliability Management

  • Ensure equipment readiness for milk reception and production startups, minimizing delays.
  • Oversee Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM) programs to reduce unplanned downtime.
  • Implement Preventive (PM) and Predictive (PdM) maintenance strategies, prioritizing tasks that maximize plant uptime.
  • Implement and monitor KPIs (e.g., OEE, downtime reduction) tied directly to plant performance, holding the team accountable for measurable outcomes.
  • Lead root cause analysis for failures, driving swift and effective corrective actions.
  • Quality Control / Sanitation

  • Work with Quality / Sanitation to ensure all products are produced in compliance with company standards and regulatory requirements.
  • Implement and enforce quality control processes, including sampling and testing procedures.
  • Investigate any product quality issues and implement corrective actions.
  • Maintain and manage documentation for quality assurance purposes.
  • Work to achieve excellent ratings for SQF and other customers and regulatory inspections.
  • Health and Safety

  • Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and environmental regulations.
  • Monitor plant safety protocols and conduct regular safety meetings and drills.
  • Address any safety concerns or violations in a timely manner.
  • Ensure maintenance activities meet PMO, OSHA, FDA, and other regulatory standards.
  • Promote a safe working environment per IOSHA standards.
  • Continuous Improvement

  • Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance plant efficiency, reduce waste, and optimize maintenance processes.
  • Foster a culture of proactive problem-solving and innovation within the maintenance team.
  • Contractor Management

  • Select, oversee, and coordinate contractors for outsourced maintenance and project work, ensuring quality, timeliness, and adherence to budget.
  • Manage contractor relationships to support the plants needs while maintaining cost efficiency.
  • Capital Project Development

  • Develop and maintain a list of smaller capital projects to address immediate and future infrastructure needs, ensuring the plants long-term reliability and performance.
  • Assess the plants condition to identify both current repair and maintenance needs and future requirements, prioritizing projects based on impact and urgency.
  • Plan, execute, and manage capital projects under a defined complexity threshold, including budgeting, scheduling, and coordination with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Budget & Resource Management

  • Manage the operating budget, controlling costs and approving purchase orders.
  • Prioritize resource allocation to high-impact maintenance and capital project areas, delivering cost savings and efficiency gains.
  • Oversee stock room operations to maintain critical spare parts inventory.
  • Negotiate with vendors to secure timely delivery of materials.
  • Strategic Collaboration

  • Work with MMPA leadership to develop strategies that enhance operational efficiency.
  • Champion maintenance and capital project priorities across departments, aligning efforts with plant performance goals.
  • Collaborate with engineering to integrate control systems with operations.
  • Technical Oversight

  • Troubleshoot electrical control systems, focusing on industrial automation (e.g., Allen-Bradley).
  • Analyze system performance and provide technical recommendations.
  • Train staff on critical equipment maintenance.
  • Education / Experience :

    Required

  • 5+ years in a plant operations / industrial maintenance leadership role, ideally in food processing or dairy manufacturing.
  • Knowledge of industrial automation (e.g., Allen-Bradley), high-pressure steam, boilers, and pumps.
  • Ability to interpret electrical and mechanical drawings and troubleshoot systems.
  • Experience in continuous improvement initiatives and contractor management.
  • Proven ability to develop and execute capital projects, including budgeting and project management.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, and Project.
  • Willingness to be on call.
  • Preferred

  • Experience with Lean Six Sigma or Continuous Improvement methodologies (e.g., PDCA, DMAIC, Kaizen).
  • Familiarity with dairy processing equipment (e.g., pasteurizers, cheese vats).
  • Advanced certifications in maintenance management or leadership.
  • Personal Attributes

  • Strong leadership and team-building skills to motivate and unify a diverse team.
  • Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational abilities.
  • Decisive, tenacious, and results-oriented, with a track record of driving rapid performance improvements.
  • Strategic thinker with the ability to anticipate future plant needs and prioritize accordingly.
  • Committed to safety and compliance.
  • To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each responsibility satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the responsibilities.

    This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive list of responsibilities that are required of the role. Responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.

    The Middlebury Cheese Company provides the opportunity for meaningful work that makes a difference in the dairy industry and in our communities. The diverse talents and perspectives of our employees help us to meet the needs of our member farms and the customers we serve.

    We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States.

    We are committed to maintaining a safe, healthy, and productive environment for all employees as one of our top priorities. As part of our commitment to your well-being and workplace safety, all applicants are required to undergo a drug screening and background check as part of the hiring process.

    We are not accepting unsolicited candidate introductions, referrals, or résumés from third-party recruiters or staffing agencies for this position.

    MMPA is an equal opportunity employer.

    PIb433f48dc172-31181-38452839

    Create a job alert for this search

    Operation Manager • Middlebury, IN, United States

    Related jobs
    Assistant Maintenance Manager

    Assistant Maintenance Manager

    Pine Manor, Inc. • Topeka, IN, United States
    Full-time
    With our roots in northeast Indiana, we are a family-owned company that has been raising and processing chickens with the help of local farmers since the early 40s. Since our start all those years a...Show more
    Last updated: 30+ days ago • Promoted
    CDL-A Flatbed Lease Purchase Driver in Three Rivers, MI

    CDL-A Flatbed Lease Purchase Driver in Three Rivers, MI

    AllTruckJobs • Three Rivers, MI, US
    Full-time
    CDL-A Flatbed Independent Contractor Truck Drivers – Owner Operators and Lease Purchase Program!.CRST The Transportation Solution Inc. CDL-A truck drivers the opportunity to take control of their ca...Show more
    Last updated: 1 day ago • Promoted
    Purchasing Agent

    Purchasing Agent

    Patrick Industries, Inc. • Bristol, IN, US
    Full-time
    The Purchasing Agent supports the day-to-day purchasing and procurement functions for BU118 and other assigned Patrick Industries business units. This position is responsible for coordinating materi...Show more
    Last updated: 9 days ago • Promoted
    Quick Earnings : Earn At Least $875 For Your First 94 Trips, Guaranteed.

    Quick Earnings : Earn At Least $875 For Your First 94 Trips, Guaranteed.

    Uber • Kimmell, IN, US
    Full-time +1
    Earn at least $875 driving with Uber when you complete your first 94 trips in 30 days.Driving is an easy way to boost your income while maintaining the flexibility your schedule requires (gig, part...Show more
    Last updated: 30+ days ago • Promoted
    Marine Interdiction Agent

    Marine Interdiction Agent

    U.S. Customs and Border Protection • Winona Lake, IN, US
    Full-time
    Air and Marine Operations (AMO), a component of U.Customs and Border Protection (CBP) offers those with Merchant Mariner Credentials the exceptional opportunity of a career in law enforcement worki...Show more
    Last updated: 30+ days ago • Promoted
    Maintenance Operations Manager

    Maintenance Operations Manager

    Middlebury Cheese Company • Ligonier, IN, United States
    Full-time
    Middlebury Cheese Company, a Northern Indiana cheese maker, is seeking a.Maintenance Operations Manager.As a hands-on Maintenance Manager, you will ensure operational efficiency and equipment relia...Show more
    Last updated: 30+ days ago • Promoted
    Travel Nurse - OR - Operating Room in New Paris, IN - $10701 / month

    Travel Nurse - OR - Operating Room in New Paris, IN - $10701 / month

    Vetted Health • New Paris, IN, United States
    Temporary
    Job Opportunity : RN - OR - Operating Room\n\nPosition Details\nSpecialty : RN - OR - Operating Room\nLocation : Goshen, Indiana\nFacility : Triage\nEmployment Type : Temporary\nContract Length : 13 week...Show more
    Last updated: 11 hours ago • Promoted • New!
    RN - Weekend Option

    RN - Weekend Option

    American Senior Communities • Ligonier, IN, United States
    Full-time +1
    Registered Nurse (RN) Weekend Option at Avalon Village.Each day, our nurses utilize their nursing skills to promote the physical and psychosocial well-being of the residents, leading to a rewarding...Show more
    Last updated: 4 days ago • Promoted
    Environment, Health and Safety Manager

    Environment, Health and Safety Manager

    PROJECTUS • Pierceton, IN, US
    Full-time
    Now Hiring : Senior EHSS Leader (Environmental, Health, Safety & Sustainability).Are you driven by purpose and passionate about creating safer, healthier workplaces? A global medical technology ...Show more
    Last updated: 1 day ago • Promoted
    Home Health Aide

    Home Health Aide

    Arcadia Home Care and Staffing – an Addus family company • Three Rivers, MI, US
    Full-time +1
    Arcadia Home Care & Staffing is currently hiring Home Health Aides in Kalamazoo and Battle Creek ! Come join the provider of home care with over 40 years of experience and dedication to enhancing t...Show more
    Last updated: 3 hours ago • Promoted • New!
    Operations Manager - Regional Distribution Center - Topeka, KS

    Operations Manager - Regional Distribution Center - Topeka, KS

    Target • Topeka, Indiana, US
    Permanent
    Pay is based on several factors which vary based on position.These include labor markets and in some instances may include education, work experience and certifications. In addition to your pay, Tar...Show more
    Last updated: 28 days ago • Promoted
    Accounts Receivable Clerk

    Accounts Receivable Clerk

    AMETEK • Pierceton, IN, United States
    Full-time
    Paragon Medical, a business of AMETEK, is a trusted partner in medical device manufacturing, offering end-to-end solutions from concept to final production. With expertise across various application...Show more
    Last updated: 11 days ago • Promoted
    Hospice Nurse - RN Case Manager

    Hospice Nurse - RN Case Manager

    Transitions Group • Three Rivers, MI, United States
    Full-time
    Imagine a healthcare company that provides 24 / 7 access to services in the comfort of the patient's home - providing the physical, emotional, and spiritual support that allows a patient to focus on ...Show more
    Last updated: 4 days ago • Promoted
    Travel Nurse - OR - Operating Room in Millersburg, IN - $10876 / month

    Travel Nurse - OR - Operating Room in Millersburg, IN - $10876 / month

    VETTED • Millersburg, IN, United States
    Temporary
    Job Opportunity : RN - OR - Operating Room.Specialty : RN - OR - Operating Room.Facility : Cross Country Healthcare.Coordinates total nursing care for patients. Participates in patient and family teach...Show more
    Last updated: 4 days ago • Promoted
    Travel - Cath Lab Tech

    Travel - Cath Lab Tech

    Titan Medical (Nebraska) • Kimmell, IN, United States
    Full-time
    WHEN YOU WORK FOR US, WE WORK FOR YOU.With Titan Medical, you gain access to thousands of travel nursing and allied health jobs across the country. You also get unmatched service.From the moment you...Show more
    Last updated: 11 hours ago • Promoted • New!
    Purchasing Agent (Bristol)

    Purchasing Agent (Bristol)

    Patrick Industries, Inc. • Bristol, IN, US
    Part-time
    The Purchasing Agent supports the day-to-day purchasing and procurement functions for BU118 and other assigned Patrick Industries business units. This position is responsible for coordinating materi...Show more
    Last updated: 9 hours ago • Promoted • New!
    Active Pulmonary Disease Officer

    Active Pulmonary Disease Officer

    United States Army • Winona Lake, IN, United States
    Full-time
    THE ARMY HEALTH CARE ADVANTAGE As a member of the Army health care team, you’ll receive benefits that you won’t be able to get in a civilian career. Challenging Work Feel inspired with great case di...Show more
    Last updated: 28 days ago • Promoted
    Travel Nurse - OR - Operating Room in Millersburg, IN - $11546 / month

    Travel Nurse - OR - Operating Room in Millersburg, IN - $11546 / month

    VETTED • Millersburg, IN, United States
    Temporary
    Job Opportunity : RN - OR - Operating Room.Specialty : RN - OR - Operating Room.Facility : Cross Country Healthcare.Coordinates total nursing care for patients. Participates in patient and family teach...Show more
    Last updated: 1 day ago • Promoted