Sr Maintenance Manager - Aurora, IL Stock Yards

Stock Yards Maintenance Manager

Join Our Community of Food People!

We've been providing chefs with expertly cut and portioned beef and pork for over 120 years, based on rigid meat-selection criteria, precise beef aging and expert trimming. Whatever your need, from white-linen presentation to casual family dining, our procurement experts will find the best-quality options that work for your budget and pack-size needs, carefully selected from our extensive meat assortment.

This role provides leadership and oversight of both production equipment maintenance and full-facility infrastructure operations. This includes managing maintenance mechanics, coordinating vendor and contractor services, overseeing capital improvement plans, and ensuring compliance with safety and environmental regulations. The role is responsible for ensuring operational readiness and supporting business continuity across the facility footprint. This position supports standalone Stock Yards facilities, including Stock Yards Super Centers - the largest and most complex sites in the Stock Yards network.

Bilingual - Spanish - Preferred

Responsibilities

• Direct maintenance operations for all production and facility systems, including grinders, Multivac machines, HVAC, ammonia refrigeration, and other mission-critical assets.
• Supervise and develop maintenance staff and ensure effective execution of preventive and corrective maintenance programs.
• Utilize a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) or equivalent platform to manage PM schedules, track repairs, and analyze performance data.
• Ensure regulatory compliance with OSHA, EPA, USDA, and other applicable standards, including documentation and routine audits.
• Lead vendor and contractor coordination, including performance management, COI documentation, and service contract oversight.
• Develop and execute long-range capital maintenance and replacement plans, including budgeting, forecasting, and justification.
• Maintain operational readiness through proactive equipment assessments and collaboration with production leadership.
• Respond to unplanned maintenance events with urgency to minimize downtime and impact to operations.
• Collaborate with Risk Management and insurance carriers to address audit findings and risk mitigation strategies.
• Oversee facility-wide infrastructure, including sanitation systems, office space, docks, and building grounds.
• Travel up to 10% to support consistency and alignment across regional or cross-site maintenance operations.

Supervision:

The incumbent is responsible for the direct supervision of maintenance technicians and mechanics responsible for the upkeep of production equipment refrigeration systems and facility infrastructure.

Relationships:

• The incumbent is required to interact with employees, customers, and vendors at all levels of responsibility throughout the company in a professional manner.

Work Environment:

The work is performed in a dynamic food production and warehouse facility that includes refrigerated and frozen environments. Temperatures range from 35F to 45F in refrigerated areas and can drop to -10F in freezer zones. The role requires frequent walking, standing, and exposure to industrial equipment, loud noise, and wet or slippery surfaces. The incumbent must be able to navigate tight mechanical spaces, climb ladders, and occasionally lift up to 50 pounds. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is required in designated areas.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in facility or maintenance leadership roles
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills in managing maintenance teams
• Expert knowledge of production and facility equipment operations
• Proficiency in CMMS or similar maintenance tracking systems
• Working knowledge of HVAC, ammonia systems, and refrigeration
• Familiarity with environmental and safety regulations and documentation standards
• Demonstrated ability to build business cases for capital investments
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Competency in Microsoft Office and facility-related software platforms
• Occasional travel (up to 10%) is expected to support maintenance operations at other locations.

Education:

High School Diploma or GED required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certification as a mechanic, professional engineer, or certified facility manager.

This role will also receive an annual incentive plan bonus and long-term incentive.