Equipment Maintenance Manager

Job Summary The Equipment Manager provides critical, hands-on leadership to ensure the maximum uptime, safety, and reliability of all production machinery and fleet assets across our 240,000 sq. ft. facility. This role balances direct technical repair work with the leadership of a small maintenance team, partnering closely with the Building Maintenance Manager to keep our high-volume production environment running at peak efficiency.

Key ResponsibilitiesTeam Leadership & Collaboration Hands-On Leadership:

Lead by example on the shop floor, actively participating in complex repair projects and demonstrating deep technical expertise.

Team Management:

Supervise, mentor, and manage a small team of maintenance technicians, fostering accountability and continuous skill development.

Cross-Functional Partnership:

Work in tandem with the Building Maintenance Manager to coordinate overall facility coverage and resource allocation.

Equipment Maintenance & Reliability Production Machinery:

Ensure the continuous operation and repair of heavy manufacturing equipment, including: CNC burn tables, press brakes, shears, plate rolls, and band saws. Structural welders, lathes, and milling machines.

Facility Systems & Fleet:

Oversee the mechanical integrity of forklifts, material handling cranes, plant air compressors/dryers, production paint booths, and the outdoor sandblast facility.

PM Program Development:

Assist in designing, implementing, and tracking structured preventative maintenance (PM) programs to transition from reactive repairs to predictive reliability.

Operations & Administration Production Focus:

Prioritize daily work orders and urgent repair tasks to minimize machine downtime and maintain strict manufacturing schedules.

Scheduling & Budgeting:

Manage maintenance schedules, allocate technician workloads, and track spending on parts and external vendors within budget constraints.

Emergency Response:

Remain calm and decisive under pressure, effectively troubleshooting sudden mechanical failures and operational emergencies.

Qualifications Experience:

Strong background in industrial or manufacturing maintenance with clear, hands-on experience troubleshooting heavy machinery.

Leadership Skills:

Proven ability to lead, motivate, and organize a small team of technicians or mechanics.

Technical Expertise:

In-depth mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical troubleshooting skills tailored to the industrial equipment listed above.

Operational Agility:

Strong time-management skills with the flexibility to adapt to changing production priorities and tight deadlines.

Communication:

Excellent interpersonal skills. Bilingual is a plus (Spanish)

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$65,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Experience:

Management:

1 year (Required) Mechanical troubleshooting: 1 year (Required)

Language:

Spanish (Preferred) Ability to

Commute:

Kewanee, IL 61443 (Required) Ability to

Relocate:

Kewanee, IL 61443: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location:

In person