AFB Maintenance Manager

Location: Aurora

## AFB Maintenance Manager Apply locations:
Aurora, MOtime type:
Full time posted on:
Posted 2 Days Agojob requisition :
REQ
107406

This opportunity is located within our
** AFB International
** business, the global science and technology leader in pet food palatability. We develop and produce a full range of liquid and dry palatability enhancers using high-quality ingredients proven to optimize companion animal response and consumption.  to learn more.
** Job Description
** The Maintenance Manager is responsible for overseeing all maintenance activities at the plant, ensuring equipment reliability, cost efficiency, and continuous improvement. This role includes implementing proactive maintenance strategies, optimizing storeroom parts management, managing budgets, and leading a team of hourly maintenance employees. Additionally, responsibilities extend to grounds and facility management, as well as overseeing external contractors performing maintenance work. The Maintenance Manager collaborates closely with plant management and global leadership to drive operational excellence.
** Essential Duties and Responsibilities
** include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
** Team Leadership & Development
*** Lead, develop, and mentor a team of maintenance technicians and support staff.
* Provide training to ensure best practices in safety, troubleshooting, and equipment maintenance.
* Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
* Implement new processes, systems and structures by actively managing the people side of change to maximize employee adoption, minimize resistance and achieve desired outcomes.
** Maintenance Strategy & Reliability
*** Implement proactive maintenance programs and reliability engineering principles to maximize equipment uptime and reduce failures.
* Drive Breakdown Elimination initiatives to address recurring equipment issues.
* Identify aging, obsolete, and high-risk equipment based on historical data and develop strategic proposals for its replacement.
* Utilize Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to track and enhance maintenance performance.
** Budgeting & Cost Control
*** Develop and manage the maintenance budget, optimizing costs for labor, spare parts, and contracted services.
* Identify opportunities for cost savings through efficiency improvements, asset optimization, and waste reduction.
** Storeroom & Spare Parts Management
*** Oversee storeroom operations to maintain optimal inventory levels of spare parts and critical components.
* Implement best practices for inventory control, cycle counting, and supplier management to prevent stockouts and minimize costs.
* Adopt planned maintenance kitting practices to improve maintenance efficiency.
* Utilize CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) to track parts usage and automate reordering.
** Grounds & Facility Management
*** Ensure grounds and facility maintenance comply with safety, regulatory, and environmental standards.
* Manage infrastructure, including HVAC, electrical systems, plumbing, and building repairs.
** External Contractor Management
*** Coordinate and oversee external contractors performing maintenance work.
* Ensure compliance with safety protocols, work scope, and company policies.
* Negotiate and manage service contracts for cost-effective, high-quality services.
** Cross-Functional Collaboration
*** Work closely with plant management, production, and engineering teams to align maintenance activities with operational goals.
* Interface with global leadership to drive corporate maintenance initiatives.
* Ensure compliance with company policies, industry regulations, and safety standards.
** Supervisory Responsibilities
*** This position has supervisory responsibilities for the maintenance team across all shifts in a 24/7 manufacturing environment.
** Qualifications & Experience
*** Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Industrial Maintenance, or a related field; or equivalent technical training and experience.
* 3+ years of maintenance leadership experience in an industrial manufacturing environment.
* Strong knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic systems.
* Experience with CMMS software and reliability maintenance strategies.
* Excellent problem-solving, decision-making, and project management skills.
* Strong communication and leadership abilities, with a focus on team development and collaboration.
* Computer skills should include but not limited to: MS Office products, MS Project, ERP systems, CMMS systems, understanding of controls systems and basic ladder logic principles
* Technical writing skills and skills in the presentation of technical information, for effective delivery of complex information to audiences of technical, professional, and layman.
* Knowledge of food product manufacturing equipment including but not limited to meat grinders, reactor vessels, spray dryers, and dry blend equipment is highly desired. Previous experience with food safety programs, including HACCP and cGMPs is beneficial.
**…