Maintenance Manager - Food & Beverage

Job Title: Assistant Plant Manager – Food & Beverage

Location: Central, Illinois

Department: Plant Operations

Reports To: Plant Manager

Employment Type: Full-Time Company Overview We are a premier food and beverage manufacturing facility dedicated to delivering safe, high-quality products to our customers. Our fast-paced plant relies on teamwork, advanced processing technology, and strict safety standards. We seek a hands-on, driven Assistant Plant Manager to help lead our production teams and partner with the Plant Manager on daily operations and long-term strategy. Position Summary The Assistant Plant Manager oversees daily manufacturing workflows across production, packaging, sanitation, and warehouse departments. You will serve as a key bridge between floor workers and senior leadership, monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and champion compliance with food safety regulations. This role also serves as a succession path to the Plant Manager position.

Key Responsibilities

Production & Operations Oversight

• Coordinate daily production schedules, line start-ups, and shutdowns to ensure safe and efficient transitions.
• Monitor plant throughput, downtime, yield, and labor efficiency to hit operational targets.
• Manage inventory control, raw materials, and finished goods shipping workflows.
• Troubleshoot operational bottlenecks and implement practical, immediate solutions on the plant floor.

Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Enforce strict compliance with USDA, FDA, HACCP, and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) guidelines.
• Partner with the Quality Assurance (QA) team to review sanitation logs, audit safety procedures, and resolve non-conformances quickly.
• Maintain a clean, organized, audit-ready facility at all times.

Personnel & Team Leadership

• Supervise shift supervisors, production operators, and sanitation teams.
• Assist with recruitment, training, performance management, and employee coaching.
• Foster a positive culture centered on accountability, safety, and open communication.

Continuous Improvement

• Lead continuous improvement and Lean Manufacturing initiatives to reduce waste and optimize efficiency.
• Analyze operational data and root-cause deviations using structured problem-solving tools (e.g., RCA, CAPA).

Qualifications & Requirements

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or a related field (Associate’s degree with extensive equivalent experience will be considered).
• 3 to 7+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership or supervisory experience, specifically within the food, beverage, or perishable goods sector.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong working knowledge of food safety programs (HACCP, SQF, or ISO).
• Familiarity with high-speed automated packaging or processing lines.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and data analysis capabilities.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills to coordinate across departments (HR, Maintenance, QA, and Executive Leadership).