THIS POSITION IS LOCATED IN BLYTHEVILLE ARKANSAS.

Pertinent Details: Career opportunity (Direct Hire) with a progressive, state of the art facility. Directly responsible for a a team of approximately 30 employees.

Recruitment Process: Candidates that are qualified will be contacted by our Canadian Recruitment Firm to initiate the recruitment process. Phone interviews will take place and successful candidates will then be asked to the plant site for an in-person interview and potential plant tour.

Wage: $145,000 – $155,000 + Comprehensive Benefits Package + Bonus.

Location: Blytheville, Arkansas

Job Description

The Maintenance Manager is responsible for the strategic leadership and operational execution of all maintenance functions within a high-volume manufacturing facility. This role ensures maximum equipment reliability, operational efficiency, and safety while supporting overall plant profitability.

The Maintenance Manager oversees preventive and predictive maintenance programs, leads a team of skilled trades professionals, and manages departmental budgets, capital expenditures, and cost control initiatives. The role plays a critical part in achieving plant production targets by minimizing downtime, optimizing asset performance, and aligning maintenance strategies with overall business and P&L objectives.

Responsibilities to include the following, but not limited to:

Maintenance Operations

Lead and manage all maintenance activities for production equipment
Develop and implement preventive and predictive maintenance programs to maximize equipment reliability and reduce unplanned downtime.
Oversee troubleshooting and repair of mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems.
Establish maintenance schedules that align with production demands while minimizing operational disruption.
Ensure timely response to equipment breakdowns and critical plant issues.

Financial Management & P&L Responsibility

Manage the maintenance department operating budget, including labor, parts, external services, and equipment repairs.
Contribute to overall plant P&L performance by implementing cost control initiatives, improving asset utilization, and reducing maintenance-related downtime.
Monitor maintenance spending and identify opportunities for cost savings and operational efficiencies.
Develop and manage annual maintenance budgets and forecasts.
Track maintenance KPIs including cost per unit, downtime costs, and maintenance spend against budget.

Capital Expenditure & Asset Management

Develop and manage the plant’s capital expenditure (CAPEX) plan related to equipment upgrades, replacements, and infrastructure improvements.
Identify and justify capital investments to improve equipment reliability, production capacity, safety, and operational efficiency.
Lead capital projects including equipment installations, facility upgrades, and automation improvements.
Collaborate with engineering, finance, and operations teams to prioritize capital investments aligned with plant strategic goals.
Manage project timelines, budgets, and vendor relationships for capital initiatives.

Reliability & Continuous Improvement

Lead reliability improvement initiatives including Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), and predictive maintenance strategies.
Analyze equipment performance data to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
Implement continuous improvement initiatives that enhance operational efficiency and reduce maintenance costs.
Support plant initiatives related to lean manufacturing and operational excellence.

Team Leadership

Lead, coach, and develop a team of maintenance supervisors, millwrights, electricians, and maintenance technicians.
Establish clear expectations, performance metrics, and accountability within the maintenance team.
Ensure adequate staffing, training, and skills development to support plant operations.
Promote a culture focused on safety, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Safety & Compliance

Ensure all maintenance activities comply with company safety policies and regulatory requirements.
Enforce lockout/tagout (LOTO), confined space, and other safety procedures.
Support plant safety initiatives and drive continuous improvement in safety performance.
Maintain compliance with environmental and regulatory requirements related to equipment operation and facility infrastructure.

Maintenance Planning & Systems

Oversee the use of CMMS systems to manage maintenance planning, work orders, and asset records.
Ensure accurate documentation of maintenance activities and equipment history.
Manage spare parts inventory and ensure availability of critical components.
Coordinate external contractors and service providers as needed.

Qualifications

Diploma or Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Maintenance, or a related technical field preferred.
8–12+ years of maintenance experience within heavy industrial or steel manufacturing environments.
5+ years of leadership experience managing maintenance teams in high-volume production facilities.
Proven experience managing maintenance budgets, CAPEX planning, and cost control initiatives.
Strong knowledge of industrial mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems.
Experience maintaining heavy manufacturing equipment such as furnaces, presses, rolling mills, cranes, and automated systems.
Experience with CMMS systems and reliability-centered maintenance practices.
Familiarity with predictive maintenance technologies such as vibration analysis and thermography.
Strong financial acumen with experience managing departmental budgets and supporting plant P&L performance.
Excellent leadership, coaching, and team development skills.
Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis capabilities.