Senior Maintenance Supervisor (1st shift)

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Senior Maintenance Supervisor is a front-line leader responsible for overseeing the maintenance team and ensuring the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of all production and support equipment within a frozen bakery. This role goes beyond daily task supervision by coordinating maintenance activities across shifts, driving preventive and predictive maintenance programs, managing budgets and resources, and serving as the primary technical escalation point for complex issues. The Senior Maintenance Supervisor also plays a critical role in developing technicians, enforcing safety and food compliance standards, supporting long-term reliability and continuous improvement initiatives that keep the bakery running smoothly, and ensuring OEE is reached on each line.

SCOPE OF POSITION:

• Lead, schedule, and oversee maintenance technicians across all shifts.
• Provide technical guidance and troubleshooting support for mechanical, electrical, refrigeration, and automation systems.
• Monitor performance, coach team members, and ensure compliance with safety and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) standards.
• Conduct regular team huddles and performance reviews.
• Develop and enforce preventive maintenance (PM) schedules for mixers, ovens, freezers, conveyors, packaging machines, and other related equipment.
• Implement predictive maintenance practices (vibration analysis, thermal imaging, oil analysis) to reduce unplanned downtime.
• Ensure all PM work is tracked and documented in the CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System).
• Lead root cause analysis (RCA) for recurring breakdowns and equipment failures.
• Partner with engineering to identify and implement reliability improvements.
• Maintain critical spare parts inventory to support uptime and reduce delays.
• Enforce compliance with OSHA, EPA, and food safety regulations.
• Ensure LOTO (Lockout/Tagout), confined space, arc flash, and other safety procedures are consistently followed.
• Support facility audits (OSHA, FDA, USDA, insurance, corporate).
• Promote a strong safety culture within the maintenance team.
• Work closely with production supervisors and plant management to prioritize work orders and schedule downtime.
• Support capital projects, equipment installations, and line upgrades.
• Serve as a liaison between maintenance and contractors/vendors.
• Track labor hours, overtime, and parts usage.
• Assist in developing the annual maintenance budget and monitor spending.
• Ensure accurate recordkeeping for work orders, PM completion, and equipment history.
• Lead or support Lean Manufacturing and TPM (Total Productive Maintenance) initiatives.
• Recommend process and equipment modifications for safety, quality, and efficiency gains.
• Drive team engagement in problem-solving and innovation.

A trained designee will be appointed by plant management to cover for absences or vacancies.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE:

• Associate’s degree in Industrial Maintenance, Engineering Technology, Electrical/Mechanical Systems, or a related field required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Maintenance Management, or Operations Management strongly preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education, technical certifications, and extensive hands-on experience may be considered in place of formal degree.
• Additional certifications in PLCs, OSHA Safety Programs, or CMMS systems are highly desirable.
• 7–10 years of maintenance experience in a food manufacturing environment, with at least 3–5 years in a leadership/supervisory role.
• Demonstrated expertise in maintaining and troubleshooting industrial bakery or food production equipment such as mixers, ovens, proofers, conveyors, packaging machines, etc.
• Strong working knowledge of electrical (480V), mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and automated control systems.
• Proven track record of implementing preventive and predictive maintenance programs using a CMMS.
• Experience with OSHA safety compliance, GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices), and food safety/USDA/FDA audit requirements.
• Background in Lean Manufacturing, TPM (Total Productive Maintenance), or continuous improvement initiatives preferred.
• Strong leadership skills with experience coaching, developing, and engaging skilled trades teams.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to wear all required personal protective equipment (PPE) while performing job duties, including but not limited to safety glasses, ear plugs, bump cap, hair net, steel toe rubber boots, autoclave gloves, and goggles.
• May be required to work in hot environments up to 102°F for intervals of up to 45 minutes.
• May be required to work in cold and/or wet environments with temperatures as low as 0°F.
• Must be able to stand, stoop, walk, bend, push, and pull for the duration of a shift, which may last up to 12 hours.
• May be required to lift up to 50 pounds on a regular basis.
• May work in production areas or warehouse storage areas.
• May be required to climb ladders and/or stairs as part of routine duties.
• Must have sufficient visual acuity to perform pre-op inspections, read paperwork, and interpret labels accurately.

Sara Lee Frozen Bakery provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.