Maintenance Manager

***THIS IS NOT A JOB AT FORCEBRANDS***

Maintenance Manager

Location: Cleveland, OH (Onsite)

Schedule: Monday–Friday, with flexibility as needed

Industry: Food / Confectionery Manufacturing

Position Overview

An established confectionery manufacturer in the Cleveland, OH area is seeking a hands-on Maintenance Manager to lead and develop its maintenance function.

This individual will be responsible for improving equipment reliability, implementing preventive maintenance processes, and building a strong maintenance team within a 55,000-square-foot manufacturing and warehouse facility.

The ideal candidate combines deep technical troubleshooting expertise with a builder mentality and a willingness to work alongside the team.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Maintenance Lead or Supervisor looking to step into a management position, or an existing Maintenance Manager who enjoys remaining hands-on.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily maintenance operations and oversee a small team of maintenance technicians.
• Develop, implement, and maintain a structured preventive maintenance program.
• Establish maintenance tracking systems, equipment records, and work-order processes.
• Perform hands-on troubleshooting and repairs across manufacturing and packaging equipment.
• Diagnose mechanical, electrical, PLC, motor, drive, pneumatic, and hydraulic issues.
• Support equipment installations, upgrades, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Oversee facility maintenance needs, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and utility systems.
• Partner with Production and Operations to minimize downtime and improve equipment reliability.
• Manage spare parts, maintenance supplies, vendor relationships, and contractor coordination.
• Ensure adherence to equipment safety, lockout/tagout procedures, and applicable food safety standards.
• Train, mentor, and develop technicians while supporting future department growth.

Qualifications

Required:

• 5+ years of industrial or manufacturing maintenance experience.
• Prior experience leading technicians, coordinating maintenance activities, or supervising a maintenance team.
• Strong mechanical and electrical troubleshooting skills, including experience with industrial electrical systems.
• Working knowledge of PLC diagnostics, motors, drives, sensors, and production equipment controls.
• Experience developing or executing preventive maintenance programs.
• Ability to read electrical schematics, technical manuals, and mechanical drawings.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills.
• Comfortable serving as a hands-on working manager in a manufacturing environment.

Preferred:

• Experience within food, beverage, confectionery, or other CPG manufacturing environments.
• Experience troubleshooting 480V electrical systems within applicable safety and qualification requirements.
• Familiarity with high-speed automated production or packaging equipment.
• Experience implementing or improving a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS).
• Knowledge of GMPs, HACCP, SQF, and manufacturing food safety requirements.
• Technical certification, apprenticeship, or associate degree in a related field.
• Experience hiring, developing, or scaling a maintenance team.

What Makes This Opportunity Unique

• Build a department: Help establish maintenance processes, systems, and team structure.
• Stay hands-on: Continue troubleshooting and working directly with production equipment.
• Grow as a leader: Opportunity for a strong Maintenance Lead or Supervisor to advance into management.
• Make an impact: Play a key role in improving plant reliability, equipment performance, and operational efficiency.
• Team growth: Lead a small existing team with the opportunity to support additional hiring over time.

Equal Opportunity

The employer is committed to considering qualified candidates based on their experience, skills, and ability to perform the responsibilities of the position. Reasonable accommodations will be considered in accordance with applicable law.