Maintenance Manager

Maintenance ManagerAFL manufactures industry-leading fiber optic cable, connectivity and accessories and provides engineering and installation services for some of the largest telecom customers in the world. Our company was founded in 1984 with a single fiber optic cable and today, we manufacture thousands of products, generate an excess of $3B in revenue, and employ approximately 12,000 associates worldwide. At AFL, we recognize that our employees are our greatest asset. We hire and train each individual, investing in them to ensure success in their careers. With a commitment to professional development and growth, let us connect you to your next career opportunity.What We Offer:Flexible time off policy401K Company match (up to 4% - dollar for dollar)Professional development, training, and tuition reimbursement programsExcellent medical, dental, vision, and life insurance policy optionsOpportunities for career advancement with an industry leading company!Job SummaryThe Maintenance Manager is responsible for leading all maintenance, reliability, and asset management activities within a fiber optic cable manufacturing facility. This role ensures optimal equipment uptime, process stability, and safe operations by deploying best-in-class preventive and predictive maintenance strategies. The position plays a critical role in supporting production throughput, quality standards, and cost efficiency through strong technical leadership and disciplined execution.ResponsibilitiesSafety & ComplianceEnsure compliance with all safety, environmental, and regulatory requirementsPromote a zero-incident culture within the maintenance organizationEnsure maintenance activities comply with all safety absolutes, LOTO requirements, electrical safety standards, and company EHS policiesLead safety engagement activities within the maintenance department and ensure all maintenance personnel and contractors follow safe work practicesLead incident investigations and implement corrective actionsCollaborate with EHS to ensure maintenance activities comply with all safety absolutes, environmental requirements, and regulatory standardsMaintenance Strategy & ExecutionDevelop and implement a comprehensive preventive and predictive maintenance (PM/PdM) programLead predictive maintenance initiatives including vibration analysis, thermography, condition monitoring, and root cause failure analysisDrive equipment reliability and uptime across all production areas (buffering lines, jacketing lines, stranding equipment, etc.)Establish and enforce standard work for maintenance activitiesLead troubleshooting and rapid response to unplanned downtime eventsManage and control maintenance spare parts inventory to ensure critical parts availability while controlling costsEstablish maintenance KPIs including MTBF, MTTR, PM completion rates, and equipment reliability metricsSupport emergency breakdown response and drive proactive maintenance strategies to reduce downtimeProvide maintenance leadership support during off-shift hours, holidays, weekends, and emergency situations as needed to support plant operations and equipment reliabilityMaintain flexibility to respond to critical equipment failures and operational needs outside normal working hoursSupport plant startup, shutdown, and major maintenance activities during scheduled outages or off-shift production windows when requiredReliability & Continuous ImprovementImplement reliability-centered maintenance (RCM) and root cause failure analysis (RCFA)Partner with operations and engineering on continuous improvement initiatives (OEE improvement, scrap reduction, yield improvement)Support continuous improvement initiatives including TPM, 5S, reliability improvement, and maintenance best practicesUtilize data (CMMS/MES) to drive failure analysis and predictive insightsLead Kaizen events and maintenance optimization projectsParticipate in plant continuous improvement efforts and support operational excellence initiatives across all departmentsTeam Leadership & DevelopmentLead, coach, and develop a team of maintenance technicians, planners, leads and supervisorsEstablish clear performance expectations and accountabilityBuild technical capability in electrical, mechanical, PLC, and automation systemsDrive a culture aligned to operational principles (e.g., accountability, ownership, continuous improvement)Drive proactive vs reactive culturePlanning, Scheduling & CMMSOversee maintenance planning and scheduling processes to ensure efficient execution and minimal production disruptionEnsure disciplined use of CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System)Optimize work order management, spare parts inventory, and labor utilizationImprove schedule compliance and PM completion ratesManage PM compliance, scheduling, backlog control, and maintenance planning activities.Capital Projects & Equipment LifecycleSupport capital projects, equipment installation, and commissioningProvide input on equipment selection, maintainability, and reliability designManage equipment lifecycle strategies including replacement planning and obsolescence managementCross-Functional CollaborationWork closely with Engineering, Process, Operations, Quality Control, and EHS departments to support production goals, equipment reliability, process improvements, and plant safety initiativesPartner with cross-functional teams to identify and resolve equipment and process-related issues impacting safety, quality, delivery, and productivitySupport plant initiatives by coordinating maintenance activities with Operations and Engineering to minimize downtime and improve overall equipment effectivenessWork with Quality Control and Process Engineering teams to support product quality improvements and corrective action activities related to equipment performanceSupport new product introductions (NPI) and process changesAlign maintenance priorities with production plans and business objectivesCoordinate contractor support and ensure all external resources meet AFL safety and training requirementsQualifications & Technical ExpertiseBachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or related field) preferred7–10+ years of maintenance leadership experience in manufacturing (preferably cable, wire, fiber, or similar continuous processes)Certified Plant Maintenance Manager (CPMM) or Certified Reliability Leader (CRL) certification preferred.Experience with TPM, predictive maintenance technologies, and reliability-centered maintenance practicesExperience with automated production equipment, PLCs, drives, and process control systemsStrong knowledge of: Electrical and mechanical systemsPLCs (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, etc.)Process equipment used in cable/fiber manufacturingExperience with CMMS systems (e.g., SAP PM, Maximo)Understanding of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Reliability Engineering principlesPersonal QualitiesLeadership – model the Operating Principles in your behaviors and actionsFlexibility – open to change/new information and rapidly adapts to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstaclesDetail oriented – excellent attention to detail with the ability to follow through on assigned tasksIndependent - ability to work well under limited supervisionAnalytical Thinking/Problem Solving - capable of complex reasoning analysisResults focused – driven to achieveInterpersonal & Communication skills – able to collaborate on projects, maintain effective relationships, and communicate clearly at all levels of the businessAdaptability - capable of working in a fast-paced environment, adapting to various situations, and prioritizing multiple work assignments simultaneouslyPromote and enforce a strong safety-first culture within maintenance operationsDrive accountability for PM execution, equipment reliability, and maintenance performance.Develop maintenance personnel through coaching, mentoring, and technical leadership.Lead by example in professionalism, urgency, communication, and teamworkEqual Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required