Denison, IA
$115K–$140K + bonus
1st Shift | Direct Hire | Onsite
Lead maintenance and engineering operations for a food manufacturing plant, keeping equipment running, downtime down, and the maintenance department operating like a high-performing team, not a break-fix shop.
This is a hands-on leadership role reporting to the Plant Engineer. You'll own capital projects from development through execution, build out predictive and preventive maintenance systems, and lead the maintenance team day to day — while keeping safety and food safety standards front and center.
What You'll Do
- Develop and manage capital projects from planning through execution — on time, on budget, minimal disruption to plant operations
- Work with the Plant Engineer to schedule and execute projects that meet safety, food safety, and environmental standards
- Build out Preventive/Predictive Maintenance and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) systems aligned with High-Performing Manufacturing practices
- Optimize resource scheduling to cut unscheduled downtime, reduce costs, and increase plant capacity
- Lead the maintenance team — assign work, enforce policies, and keep responsibilities clear
- Champion plant safety through training, procedure implementation, and continuous monitoring
- Work with the Plant Engineer to track and report maintenance KPIs: supplier effectiveness, equipment reliability, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE)
- Develop your people — lead through coaching and employee development to build a strong maintenance team, not just fill shifts
Background Needed
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field, plus 5+ years of related experience in a manufacturing environment (or an equivalent combination of education and experience) — required
- 2+ years of leadership experience, including team development and management — required
- PLC and ammonia refrigeration experience — required
- Food manufacturing background required; meat or kill floor/harvest floor experience a plus
- Thorough knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and CMMS systems
- Advanced technical skills in mechanical and/or electrical fields (PLCs, instrumentation, mechanical systems, etc.)
- Able to lead resource planning and management in a large manufacturing environment
- Thorough knowledge of maintenance systems, work order processes, preventive/predictive maintenance, TPM, etc.
- Able to use exposure monitoring equipment and interpret and communicate results
- Strong written and verbal communication skills — able to express ideas clearly and concisely
- Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Strong interpersonal, technical, and presentation skills
- May be required to work long hours and weekends