Role Overview for Director of Maintenance (Food)
JRG Partners, a premier executive search firm specializing in the manufacturing and operations sectors, is proud to partner with a leading innovator in the food manufacturing industry to identify a highly accomplished and visionary Director of Maintenance. This pivotal role is not merely about maintaining machinery; it’s about pioneering operational excellence, ensuring the highest standards of food safety, and driving continuous improvement across state-of-the-art production facilities.
The successful candidate will be a strategic leader, an expert in modern maintenance methodologies, and a champion of a proactive, data-driven approach to asset management within a complex, high-volume food processing environment.
As the Director of Maintenance, you will be entrusted with the overall strategic direction, leadership, and management of all maintenance activities across our client’s key food manufacturing operations. This encompasses everything from developing and executing comprehensive preventative and predictive maintenance programs to managing significant capital projects, optimizing equipment performance, and fostering a culture of safety and continuous improvement.
You will lead a diverse team of maintenance professionals, guiding them towards achieving operational efficiency targets, minimizing downtime, and ensuring compliance with the most stringent food safety and quality regulations. This is an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned maintenance leader to make a profound impact on a dynamic organization committed to delivering high-quality food products to consumers nationwide.
Our client operates at the forefront of food innovation, embracing cutting-edge technology and sustainable practices. They are seeking a leader who can not only manage the day-to-day complexities of a large-scale food manufacturing operation but also anticipate future needs, implement advanced maintenance technologies, and continuously elevate the reliability and efficiency of their production assets. If you are a results-oriented leader with a deep passion for food manufacturing, a proven track record in maintenance leadership, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, we invite you to explore this exciting opportunity through JRG Partners.
Key Responsibilities of Director of Maintenance (Food)
Strategic Planning & Leadership
Develop, implement, and continuously refine maintenance strategies, policies, and procedures that align with the company’s overall business objectives, production goals, and food safety standards. Provide strategic leadership and direction to the entire maintenance department.
Team Development & Management
Recruit, train, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of maintenance managers, supervisors, technicians, and engineers. Foster a culture of accountability, continuous learning, safety, and teamwork. Conduct performance reviews and develop succession plans.
Budget & Cost Control
Manage the departmental budget effectively, including capital expenditures, operational expenses, and labor costs. Identify and implement cost-saving initiatives without compromising safety, quality, or efficiency. Oversee procurement of parts, tools, and services.
Preventative & Predictive Maintenance (PM/PdM)
Champion the development, implementation, and optimization of robust preventative and predictive maintenance programs across all critical assets to maximize uptime, extend equipment life, and reduce reactive maintenance. Utilize advanced diagnostic tools and techniques.
Food Safety & Quality Assurance
Ensure all maintenance activities strictly adhere to governmental regulations and industry best practices for food safety and quality, including HACCP, GMPs, SQF, BRC, and the critical Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Collaborate closely with Quality Assurance and Production teams to maintain audit readiness and address any non-conformances promptly.
Operational Efficiency & Reliability
Drive initiatives to improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), reduce unscheduled downtime, and enhance asset reliability. Implement root cause analysis (RCA) for significant failures to prevent recurrence.
Capital Project Management
Oversee and support the planning, execution, and commissioning of capital expenditure projects related to new equipment installations, facility upgrades, and capacity expansions. Ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and meet performance specifications.
CMMS/EAM System Optimization
Maximize the utilization and effectiveness of the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) or Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) system for work order management, asset tracking, spare parts inventory, and data analysis. Drive continuous improvement in CMMS data integrity and reporting.
Vendor & Contractor Management
Establish and maintain strong relationships with external service providers, contractors, and suppliers. Negotiate contracts, monitor performance, and ensure compliance with company standards and safety protocols.
Safety & Environmental Compliance
Promote and enforce a strong safety culture within the maintenance department and across the entire facility. Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations, environmental standards, and internal safety policies. Conduct safety audits and implement corrective actions.
Continuous Improvement Initiatives
Lead and participate in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), and other continuous improvement initiatives to enhance maintenance processes, reduce waste, and improve overall operational performance.
Technical Support & Troubleshooting
Provide expert technical guidance and support for complex equipment breakdowns, process inefficiencies, and operational challenges. Leverage advanced diagnostic skills to resolve intricate issues.
Performance Reporting & Analytics
Develop, track, and report on key maintenance performance indicators (KPIs) such as OEE, MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures), MTTR (Mean Time To Repair), PM compliance, and budget adherence. Present insights and recommendations to senior leadership.
Regulatory Compliance & Auditing
Stay abreast of evolving industry regulations, technological advancements, and best practices in food manufacturing maintenance. Prepare for and participate in internal and external audits.
Requirements for the Director of Maintenance (Food)
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Chemical, or related field) is required. A Master’s degree or advanced certifications (e.g., CMRP – Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional) are highly preferred.
Experience
A minimum of 10-15 years of progressive leadership experience in maintenance management within the food & beverage manufacturing industry, with at least 5-7 years at a Director-level or equivalent senior leadership role overseeing multi-site or large-scale operations.
Technical Expertise
Demonstrated deep understanding of food processing equipment and machinery (e.g., ovens, freezers, packaging lines, conveyors, extruders, mixing systems, high-speed fillers). Proven proficiency with various control systems including PLCs (Allen-Bradley, Siemens), HMIs, VFDs, and industrial networking. Strong grasp of utility systems (ammonia refrigeration, boilers, HVAC, compressed air, wastewater treatment).
CMMS/EAM Proficiency
Extensive hands-on experience with Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) or Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) software (e.g., SAP PM, Maximo, Infor EAM, UpKeep) for work order generation, scheduling, parts inventory, and reporting. Ability to leverage CMMS for data-driven decision making.
Food Safety & Quality Acumen
Expert-level knowledge and practical application of food safety standards and regulations including HACCP, GMPs, SQF, BRC, and FSMA. Experience in maintaining audit-ready facilities and implementing corrective actions.
Leadership & Team Building
Exceptional leadership, communication, interpersonal, and team-building skills with a proven ability to motivate, develop, and manage a diverse technical workforce. Experience managing managers and fostering a collaborative environment.
Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills
Strong analytical capabilities to diagnose complex technical and operational issues, perform root cause analysis, and implement effective, sustainable solutions. Data-driven decision-making approach.
Project Management
Demonstrated ability to lead and manage multiple large-scale capital projects simultaneously from conception through completion, ensuring adherence to scope, budget, and schedule. PMP certification is a plus.
Financial Acumen
Proven experience in developing and managing large departmental budgets, controlling costs, and identifying opportunities for financial optimization.
Continuous Improvement Mindset
Strong background in implementing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, TPM, or other continuous improvement methodologies to drive efficiency and reliability gains.
Safety Champion
Unwavering commitment to safety with a track record of fostering a strong safety culture and ensuring compliance with OSHA and internal safety protocols.
Travel
Ability to travel periodically to other plant locations, vendor sites, or for professional development as required.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Competitive Compensation
A highly attractive base salary commensurate with experience, combined with performance-based bonuses that reward significant contributions to operational success.
Comprehensive Health & Wellness
Robust medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for employees and their families, ensuring access to top-tier healthcare.
Retirement Savings
Generous 401(k) retirement plan with a strong company match, providing a solid foundation for your financial future.
Paid Time Off
Ample paid vacation, sick leave, and company holidays to support a healthy work-life balance.
Professional Development
Opportunities for continuous learning, professional certifications (e.g., CMRP, PMP), and executive training programs to foster career growth and skill enhancement.
Relocation Assistance
For qualified candidates, comprehensive relocation assistance may be provided to facilitate a smooth transition to the Chicago area.
Dynamic Work Environment
Join an innovative, forward-thinking company culture that values collaboration, problem-solving, and a commitment to excellence in food manufacturing.
Impactful Role
The chance to lead a critical function and make a significant, measurable impact on the company’s operational efficiency, profitability, and market leadership.
Employee Assistance Programs
Access to programs designed to support mental, emotional, and financial well-being.
Life & Disability Insurance
Company-paid life insurance and short-term/long-term disability coverage for added financial security.
How to Apply
If you are a driven and experienced Director of Maintenance with a strong background in food manufacturing and are ready to take on a challenging and rewarding leadership role, JRG Partners invites you to apply. Please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and why you are the ideal candidate for this position. Our expert recruiters will review your application and contact qualified candidates for further discussion.
We are committed to connecting top talent with industry-leading opportunities. Explore more about our specialized recruitment services in this sector by visiting our practice area page: Explore JRG Partners’ Manufacturing & Operations Practice Area.
