Maintenance Manager - Portage, IN

Maintenance Manager

SMS Mill Services, LLC is a leader in the steel mill services industry prioritizing recycling and environmental/worker' safety and handling all operations with integrity. SMS Portage  is seeking a  highly skilled, SAFETY FOCUSED and results-driven Maintenance Manager. This role oversees the maintenance and reliability of heavy mobile equipment used in steel mill scrap operations. This role is responsible for leading maintenance teams, managing preventive maintenance programs, minimizing downtime, and ensuring safe, efficient operation of equipment critical to production.

The ideal candidate has experience working on/with our equipment. Primary equipment includes loaders, pot carriers, excavators, material handlers, skid steers, forklifts, railcars, and on-site haul/dump trucks.

SMS provides a comprehensive range of services for steel mill customers.  We partner with our customers to design custom, cost-effective solutions, which focus on adding value and achieving goals for the operation and the environment. Our range of services includes, but is not limited scrap yard management, finished or semi-finished product services, melt shop services, logistics/transportation support, and slag processing.

Key Responsibilities:
Equipment & Maintenance Oversight

• Manage all maintenance activities for heavy mobile equipment fleet
• Develop and execute preventive and predictive maintenance programs
• Diagnose mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and operational issues
• Ensure timely repairs to minimize production downtime
• Coordinate major repairs, rebuilds, and vendor service work
• Maintain accurate maintenance records, service logs, and equipment history

Team Leadership

• Supervise and support unionized maintenance technicians and mechanics
• Schedule staffing and prioritize daily/weekly maintenance work
• Train and develop team members on equipment, troubleshooting, and safety practices
• Enforce accountability, productivity, and quality standards

Operations Support

• Work closely with operations (foremen, operators, scale house) to align maintenance with production needs
• Respond quickly to breakdowns and urgent repair needs
• Assist in evaluating equipment performance and recommending improvements or replacements

Inventory & Cost Control

• Manage parts inventory, ordering, and vendor relationships
• Control maintenance costs while maintaining high equipment reliability
• Track and analyze maintenance KPIs (downtime, cost per hour, PM compliance, etc.)

Safety Responsibilities

• Ensure all maintenance activities comply with company safety policies and OSHA standards
• Promote a strong safety culture within the maintenance team
• Conduct equipment inspections and ensure proper lockout/tagout procedures
• Maintain clean, organized, and safe shop and work area
• Follow all company safety policies, PPE requirements, and site rules

Qualifications

• • Technical or trade certification or associate’s degree preferred
  • 5+ years of maintenance experience with heavy mobile equipment
  • 2+ years of supervisory or leadership experience in a union shop preferred
  • Strong knowledge of hydraulics, diesel engines, electrical systems, and heavy equipment repair
  • Experience in steel mill, scrap recycling, construction, quarry, or similar industrial environment preferred
  • Ability to read manuals, schematics, and diagnostic data
  • Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
  • Proficiency with maintenance software or CMMS systems is a must
  • Reliable attendance and flexibility for off-shift or emergency calls

Physical / Work Conditions

• Ability to work in an industrial steel mill scrap yard environment
• Exposure to noise, weather changes, dust, and moving equipment
• Ability to climb equipment ladders, sit for extended periods, and perform physical tasks as needed
• Combination of shop work and field work throughout the site

What we can Offer:

• A comprehensive compensation package to commensurate with experience including bonuses
• Benefits include Medical, Dental, Vision, company-paid life insurance, etc. offered on day 1!
• 401(k) with 4% matching, 100% vested as of first contribution
• Paid holidays, 4 weeks paid vacation
• Work in a dynamic, collaborative, progressive, and high-performing team.
• Opportunity to grow within maintenance management

SMS Mill Services, LLC is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. SMS Mill Services, LLC makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.