Maintenance Manager

Job Description Job Description Clasen Quality Chocolate (CQC) is a world-class manufacturer of chocolate and innovative coatings. We have recently been awarded the Top Workplaces Award by the WI State Journal - No. 2 Large Employer and the Benefits Award. CQC has been growing double digits annually because of our flexibility, commitment, respect and integrity, and we are looking for quality individuals to join our team. Working for a family-owned company provides you with the opportunity to wear many different “ hats,” make a difference every day, and have fun doing it We are committed to being an Employer of Choice in Southern Wisconsin and offering our employees a variety of traditional and unconventional benefits. We are currently accepting applications for a Maintenance Manager in our new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Milton, WI , conveniently located north of Janesville. This is a salaried role, working 8 hour day shifts, and reporting to the Plant Manager. BENEFITS: Health, Dental, Vision Insurance (Low deductible and copays, LASIK reimbursement, Adults orthodontics) Company-paid Life and Disability Insurance 401(k) Match – up to 5% Paid Vacation, Personal and Volunteer days plus 11 holidays Paid maternity/paternity leave Wellness: Free fruit, insurance discounts, gym and run/walk/bike event reimbursement, free wellness checks Scholarships – Employee, spouse, and children Summer Camp Reimbursement – children of employees Tuition reimbursement Employee appreciation events Free chocolate and coating JOB SUMMARY : Provide clear vision and leadership for maintenance in a 24/7 food‑manufacturing plant. Build the systems, standards, and capability that deliver safe, compliant, right‑first‑time work and sustained reliability. Lead cross‑functional partnerships and data‑driven CMMS practices to cut unplanned downtime, steward maintenance cost (labor/Maintenance, Repairs, Operations), support CapEx from scope through commissioning with maintainability/reliability requirements, and ensure utilities and assets support production without compromising SQF/GMP and OSHA standards. Drive the department to higher levels of success and accountability while aligning with the other facilities. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Strategy, Standards & Compliance Own the site’s maintenance strategy and standard work; ensure full alignment to the QA150-C-Maintenance Program internal SOP (CMMS usage, maintenance control schedule, documentation, contamination controls) and SQF/GMP/MSS requirements. Define and audit the Right‑First‑Time (RFT) maintenance standard (planning quality, kitting, precision practices, functional checks, quality sign‑off). Planning, Scheduling & Execution Quality Establish work planning with Production; balance PMs, corrective work, and projects to minimize downtime. (Supervisor executes the schedule; Manager governs rules and priorities.) Guarantee complete job plans (steps, time, skills, parts) and ensure finished work includes failure/causal notes and follow‑ups in the CMMS. Enforce escalation and updates during extended downtime per plant communication SOP; publish timely, transparent status to stakeholders. Reliability & Continuous Improvement Lead RCAs (Root Cause Analysis) for significant events; convert findings into standards (PM changes, condition‑monitoring routes, spares strategy). Maintain a bad‑actor list; run monthly cross‑functional reviews to retire chronic losses; track MTBF (Mean Time Before Failure)/MTTR (Mean Time To Repair), planned‑vs‑unplanned, backlog health, and repeat calls. CMMS & Data Integrity Make the CMMS the “single source of truth”; drive data completeness (fields, codes, feedback), asset hierarchy, QR codes, and KPI reporting. Ensure >80% accountability of time for all technicians and hourly direct reports. Audit PM library quality and schedule adherence; manage “overdue” work discipline and data quality checks each week. People Leadership & Skill Development Develop the Supervisor, Coordinator, Techs, and Junior Mechanic via skill matrices, OJT plans, and progression pathways; integrate your supervisor/lead training checklists and certification process. Run regular 1:1s and coaching on problem‑solving and precision maintenance; recognize wins and address gaps with documented plans. Develop a future pipeline of qualified technicians that meet both our technical and cultural requirements. Work with local trade schools to accomplish. Communication, Follow‑Through & Escalation Set SLAs (Service Level Agreements) for requestor updates (e.g., acknowledge within 24 hours; weekly status until closure) and ensure actions are tracked to closure in tier meetings. Uphold the downtime/escalation ladder and distribution lists defined in the plant communication SOP; reinforce disciplined handoffs across shifts. Safety, Food Safety & MSS Compliance Ensure all work meets OSHA, LOTO, and electrical safety (NEC/NFPA 70) standards; partner with Quality to maintain SQF/GMP/MSS compliance for maintenance activities. Reinforce hold/release and contamination‑control practices during maintenance in/over food areas and after intrusive work. Owns the site safety programs. Drive high level engagement of employees through the Safety Champions program. Enhance the bottom-up safety culture. MRO (Maintenance, Repairs, Operations), Vendors & Budget Optimize storeroom strategy (criticality ranking, min/max, kitting, consignment opportunities); measure service levels and turns; hold vendors to scope, safety, and RFT outcomes. Lead efforts to standardize and optimize across facilities. Build and manage the maintenance budget (labor/MRO), report variance drivers, and identify cost‑to‑reliability tradeoffs. Report results to Plant Manager at least monthly or as deviations occur. Utilities & Infrastructure Oversee the safe, reliable operation of plant utilities (air, steam, water, electrical, ammonia, waste water systems as applicable) and coordinate with Engineering on upgrades and risk mitigation. Maintain site infrastructure (roof/drainage, dock doors, grounds) and security systems expectations as documented locally. First impressions matter CapEx & Commissioning Engage early in CapEx: define maintenance acceptance criteria (access, guarding, precision tolerances), draft PMs and BOMs, specify critical spares, plan training, and review designs for maintainability and sanitation. Drive improvements to CapEx process by updating specs, standards, and working with Engineering to source commonly available, or parts already stocked, as part of new designs and equipment. Lead or co‑lead commissioning plans and post‑start verification; ensure the CMMS has assets, job plans, and spares loaded before start‑up, with lessons learned captured after ramp up. Design and implement capital projects up to $1 million in scope. 24/7 Coverage & Readiness Set on‑call expectations and coverage for a 24/7 operation; ensure escalation works on all shifts and that shift leaders know communication protocols. Perform all tasks assigned by the supervisor, while following all company, safety, and quality policies and procedures. Maintain regular attendance at work. QUALIFICATIONS : EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE: Required: 4-year degree in Engineering or related field. 7 years in Engineering or industrial maintenance or reliability roles. Minimum 3 years in a leadership position (managing through supervisors or leading multi-shift teams). Proven success implementing planning & scheduling systems, improving PM compliance, and driving reliability KPIs (MTBF, MTTR, backlog health). Hands-on experience with CMMS (setup, data integrity, KPI reporting). Demonstrated ability to lead RCA/5-Why/A3 problem-solving and convert findings into standards. Intermediate working knowledge of mechanical, electrical, hydraulics, pneumatics, HVAC, and plumbing systems; ability to read schematics and equipment manuals; familiarity with PLC/HMI/SCADA environments sufficient to coordinate troubleshooting with Controls/Engineering. Strong knowledge of OSHA/LOTO, electrical safety (NEC/NFPA 70), and food safety compliance (SQF/GMP). Basic knowledge in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook Excellent communication, planning, and problem‑solving skills. Must have a valid driver’s license Preferred: Experience in food or beverage manufacturing or other regulated environments. Exposure to CapEx projects: design reviews, commissioning, and maintenance acceptance criteria. Familiarity with predictive technologies (vibration, thermography, oil analysis) and TPM/Lean principles. Budget ownership and vendor/MRO strategy experience. Experience with Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) packages and AutoCAD preferred SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Driven, self-starter Positive attitude Attention to detail Curious by nature Coachable Vision and goal setting Technical aptitude Good oral and written communication skills are required Adaptability and flexibility are essential Customer focused Good team building and leadership skills are required Good decision-making ability Project management skills CQC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability, protected veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law. For more information, please visit our website at www.cqc.com ZR