Maintenance Manager

Griffith Foods is the caring, creative product development partner helping food companies meet the evolving needs of consumers while sustaining the planet. As a family business founded in 1919 and headquartered in Alsip, Illinois USA, Griffith Foods is known for true, collaborative innovation guided by their Purpose of "We Blend Care and Creativity to Nourish the World". The company's product capabilities range from seasonings and marinades to coating systems and sauces that are better for people and better for the planet. For more information, visit www.griffithfoods.com.

Purpose of the role:

• Accountable for developing, implementing, and communicating the maintenance and facility strategy.
• Ensures compliance with maintenance objectives to optimize equipment performance and minimize downtime.
• Holds final responsibility for preventive, corrective, and predictive maintenance, working closely with the Production Manager, Site Engineering, and Griffith Performance Systems Manager.
• Responsible for maintenance and facilities capital investment projects end to end, from concept development through project closing and operational support, utilizing Project Management Principles and Early Management Principles.
• Supports environmental compliance and efficiency (waste reduction, utilities optimization, emissions, and water efficiency).

• Lead the maintenance department, ensuring alignment with safety, quality, cost, and organizational needs through effective daily management, performance monitoring, and team coordination.
• Ensure regulatory, environmental, and workplace safety compliance across all maintenance activities.
• Build and develop a skilled maintenance workforce, overseeing hiring, onboarding, training, and implementation of a robust skills management and development program.
• Implement structured maintenance systems, including Work Order Management and weekly planning/scheduling, to reduce downtime and optimize resource usage.
• Lead preventive maintenance efforts as the PM Pillar Leader (GPS), supporting autonomous maintenance and continuous improvement practices. Utilize continuous improvement tools and methodologies.
• Establish robust spare parts and asset management systems, aligned with global standards for hierarchy, naming, and inventory control.
• Drive root cause analysis to eliminate recurring failures and improve equipment reliability.
• Support future automation initiatives, collaborating with engineering and CI teams to modernize the maintenance function.
• Oversee contractor relationships, including service contracts and SLAs, ensuring quality and compliance.
• Be accountable for all maintenance and facility operations, including wastewater operations management, with support from a team of technicians and direct reports.

• Maintenance Management & Leadership : Maintenance strategy development; Daily operations oversight (planning, prioritization, KPIs); Team leadership and supervisory skills; Budgeting and cost control for maintenance.
• Regulatory and Safety Compliance: Regional and local safety/environmental regulations; Hazardous materials handling and safety standards; Risk assessments and compliance audits.
• Workforce Development: Technical recruiting and talent management; Training program design (apprenticeship, cross-training); Skills matrix development and tracking systems; Coaching and performance evaluation.
• Maintenance Systems & Planning: CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) use and configuration; Work order creation, backlog management, and scheduling; Maintenance KPIs (MTBF, OEE).
• Preventive & Autonomous Maintenance: TPM (Total Productive Maintenance) principles; PM planning and optimization; Root Cause Analysis (RCA), 5 Whys, Fishbone diagram; Lean and Six Sigma tools.
• Spare Parts & Asset Management: Inventory management principles; BOM (Bill of Materials) and hierarchy setup; MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Operations) best practices; ERP system integration.
• Reliability Engineering: Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM); Predictive maintenance (vibration, thermography, etc.); Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA); Condition monitoring.
• Automation and Industry 4.0 Readiness: Familiarity with control systems (PLC, SCADA); Digital maintenance tools and data analytics; Working with engineering/CI teams on automation projects.
• Vendor and Contractor Management: Service Level Agreements (SLAs); Contract negotiation and compliance; Performance monitoring and issue resolution.
• Facilities & Utilities Operations: Building and equipment infrastructure knowledge; Wastewater treatment system operations and permits; Energy management and sustainability practices.
• Capital Project Management: Project lifecycle (initiation to close-out); Capital budgeting and cash flow forecasting; Cross-functional coordination; Project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Gantt charts).
• Environmental Stewardship: Environmental Management Systems (EMS); ISO 14001 knowledge; Resource conservation and emissions reduction strategies; Audit readiness and reporting.

• At least 7 years of experience in a comparable function.
• Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP) desirable.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent level.
• At least Bachelor's degree in engineering, industrial technology or facilities management.
• Fluent in Dutch & English.