Maintenance Supervisor

The Maintenance Supervisor is responsible for supervising and coordinating activities of employees engaged in maintaining and repairing building structures, grounds, utilities, and critical processing systems within a USDA-regulated meat processing facility. This role ensures safe, reliable, sanitary, and compliant operation of refrigeration, building, and utility systems while supporting food safety, employee safety, and production requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Supervise, coordinate, and participate in maintenance activities involving building structures, grounds, utilities, and processing areas.

• Direct employees performing structural maintenance including masonry, carpentry, painting, and equipment support.

• Oversee electrical maintenance including motor controls, high and low voltage wiring, and PLC-supported systems.

• Provide sanitation-support maintenance ensuring hygienic repairs and prevention of product contamination.

• Plan, schedule, and execute preventive and corrective maintenance activities to minimize downtime.

• Inspect completed work for conformance with specifications, food safety requirements, and regulatory standards.

• Maintain accurate maintenance records, work orders, inspections, and inventory using the ERP system.

• Request, manage, and control tools, equipment, spare parts, and maintenance supplies.

• Analyze maintenance problems, determine root causes, and implement corrective actions.

• Interpret company policies and enforce safety, food safety, and sanitation regulations.

• Recommend improvements in equipment, procedures, and working conditions to improve safety and efficiency.

• Assist other departments as requested, including equipment moves, installations, and special projects.

• Remain on-call and respond to emergency maintenance situations as required.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure all maintenance activities comply with USDA, FSIS, OSHA, EPA, and local regulations.

• Support HACCP plans and maintenance-related Critical Control Points (CCPs).

• Prevent chemical, physical, and biological contamination resulting from maintenance activities.

• Participate in USDA inspections, internal audits, and third-party audits.

• Ensure proper release of equipment and areas following maintenance prior to production startup.

• Maintain compliance with sanitation standard operating procedures (SSOPs).

Refrigeration, Utilities & PSM Responsibilities

• Supervise the operation and maintenance of ammonia refrigeration systems in compliance with PSM and RMP requirements.

• Hold or maintain RETA Class A operator certification as required. If candidate does not hold the certification, he will be required to take the license in less than a year from hire date.

• Serve as part of the facility emergency response team for ammonia and utility-related incidents.

• Ensure completion of required PSM documentation, inspections, and training.

Safety Leadership

• Lead by example in enforcing safety policies and PPE requirements.

• Ensure compliance with lockout/tagout, confined space entry, hot work, and fall protection programs.

• Conduct safety meetings and participate in incident investigations.

• Ensure employees and contractors follow all safety and emergency procedures.

Contractor & Vendor Management

• Assist Maintenance Manager in oversight of outside contractors and service providers.

• Ensure contractors comply with food safety, safety, and regulatory requirements.

• Assist Maintenance Manager in reviewing permits, credentials, and work scope prior to authorizing work.

• Assist Maintenance Manager monitor contractor performance and costs.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Directly supervises maintenance employees.

Responsibilities include

interviewing, hiring, training, planning and assigning work, evaluating performance, rewarding and disciplining employees, and resolving conflicts in accordance with company policies and applicable laws.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; technical or trade schooling preferred.

• Four years of experience in an industrial or meat processing maintenance environment.

• Minimum five years' operating ammonia refrigeration system; two years as lead technician preferred.

• Working knowledge of electrical systems, motor controls, and PLC-supported equipment.

• Knowledge of OSHA, EPA, USDA, and PSM regulatory requirements.