Maintenance Operations Manager
Middlebury Cheese CompanyMiddlebury, IN, US3 days ago
Job type
- Full-time
Job descriptionLead 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 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Other
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
Process & Reliability Management
Quality Control / Sanitation
Health and Safety
Continuous Improvement
Contractor Management
Capital Project Development
Budget & Resource Management
Strategic Collaboration
Technical Oversight
Education / Experience :
Required
Preferred
Personal Attributes
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 adrug screening and background check as part of the hiring process.
We are not accepting unsolicited candidate introductions, referrals, or rsums from third-party recruiters or staffing agencies for this position.
MMPA is an equal opportunity employer.
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Operation Manager • Middlebury, IN, US
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