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Maintenance Operations Manager

Maintenance Operations Manager

Middlebury Cheese CompanyMiddlebury, IN, US
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We seeking an experienced Maintenance Manager to lead the team at our Middlebury, IN cheese-making facility. This hands-on role is critical to ensuring operating efficiency and equipment reliability, fostering team engagement, and prioritizing maintenance efforts effectively. 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 plant's infrastructure.

The Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA), established in 1916, is a dairy farmer-owned cooperative and processor, serving farmers across Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Indiana. Our Middlebury, IN facility, the Middlebury Cheese Company, produces cheddar, Monterey Jack, pepper jack, and an Amish creamy line in barrel and longhorn formats. We are seeking a dynamic Maintenance Manager to lead our maintenance team, drive continuous improvement, and manage capital projects to support our plant's growth and reliability.

Why you'll 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 plant's 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 plant's long-term reliability and performance.
  • Assess the plant's 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.

    • Why Join Us : At MMPA, you'll be joining a company with a strong legacy in the dairy industry, and a forward-thinking culture that values growth, wellness, and teamwork. We're excited to welcome a passionate individual to our team who is eager to contribute to our success while growing their own career. If you're ready to make a meaningful impact and work with a dynamic group of people, we want to hear from you!

    Ready to join our team, Apply today We look forward to hearing from you!

    We are a drug-free facility , and maintaining a safe, healthy, and productive work environment is a top priority. As part of our commitment to your well-being, all applicants will undergo a drug screening as part of the hiring process.

    MMPA is an equal-opportunity employer and values diversity in our workforce.

    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.

    MMPA 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.

    Please Note : We are not accepting unsolicited resumes or inquiries from third-party recruiters at this time. Thank you for your understanding.

    PIa01cf2f75a25-2839

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