Maintenance & Continuous Improvement Manager

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DITSCH USA creates memorable pretzel experiences! We bake artisan pretzels available for both food service and retail markets. As a leading producer of pretzels, we are committed to freshness and providing clean‑label products. The quality of our irresistible products comes from more than 100 years of experience and craftsmanship in the ART OF PRETZEL MAKING!

The Maintenance and Continuous Improvement Manager is responsible for overseeing maintenance operations, reliability programs, and process optimization across multiple bakery facilities with sheeting and dividing lines. This is a hands‑on, multi‑site leadership role focused on maximizing equipment uptime, maintaining facility infrastructure, and driving continuous improvement initiatives that enhance productivity, efficiency, and quality.

• Oversee all aspects of maintenance activities across multiple bakery facilities.
• Lead, train, and develop maintenance teams to ensure effective scheduling, troubleshooting, and timely work order completion.
• Develop, implement, and monitor preventive and predictive maintenance programs to improve equipment reliability and reduce unplanned downtime.
• Ensure all equipment, including sheeters, dividers, mixers, proofers, and ovens, operates safely and efficiently.
• Analyze downtime trends and reliability metrics (MTBF, MTTR) to identify and correct recurring issues.
• Manage CMMS utilization and ensure accurate maintenance records and reporting.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, 5S, and root cause analysis methodologies.
• Facilitate Kaizen events and process improvement workshops with cross‑functional teams.
• Collaborate with production and engineering teams to streamline processes and eliminate waste.
• Track and report performance metrics (OEE, yield, and energy efficiency) to monitor and sustain improvements.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and proactive problem‑solving.

• Oversee maintenance of facility systems including HVAC, refrigeration, compressed air, water, plumbing, electrical, and general building infrastructure.
• Coordinate and manage facility upgrades, renovations, and compliance projects.
• Partner with vendors and contractors for specialized repairs and major installations.
• Ensure all maintenance and facility activities comply with safety, food safety, and environmental regulations.

• Plan, manage, and execute capital improvement projects, equipment installations, and upgrades.
• Develop maintenance and facility budgets, monitor spending, and identify cost‑saving opportunities.
• Manage spare parts inventory and procurement processes to support equipment reliability.
• Prepare technical reports and recommendations for leadership review.

• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure adherence to OSHA, EPA, and company safety standards.
• Partner with Quality Assurance and Sanitation teams to maintain GMP and SQF compliance.
• Participate in internal and external audits, providing maintenance and facility documentation as required.
• Ensure proper lockout/tagout, confined space, and hazardous material procedures are consistently followed.

• Serve as the technical and leadership resource across all company sites.
• Build strong partnerships with production, engineering, and quality teams to ensure alignment of maintenance and CI objectives.
• Provide guidance, mentorship, and performance feedback to site maintenance leaders.
• Communicate clearly with stakeholders and corporate leadership regarding priorities, progress, and risks.
• Support multi‑site coordination by sharing best practices and standardizing processes where applicable.

• 7+ years of progressive maintenance leadership experience in bakery or food manufacturing, preferably in multi‑site operations.
• Hands‑on technical expertise with bakery processing equipment such as sheeters, dividers, mixers, proofers, and conveyors.
• St…