Maintenance and Engineering Manager

Artisan Kitchens LLC

Newberry, SC

Pay: $125,000+/yr

Shift: Full time

**Maintenance and Engineering Manager**

**Company:** Artisan Kitchens

**Location**: Newberry, South Carolina

**Department:** Maintenance and Engineering

**Reports To:** Director of Operations

**Employment Type:** Full-Time | On-Site

**Company Overview**

Artisan Kitchens is a leading co-manufacturer of refrigerated and frozen, ready-to-eat egg bites and omelet products serving nationally recognized retail, club, private-label, and foodservice customers.

Our manufacturing operation relies on a combination of specialized processing equipment, automated packaging systems, and a dedicated team of employees committed to food safety, quality, and operational excellence.

We are seeking a Maintenance and Engineering Manager who can strengthen our maintenance organization, develop our technical team, and build the systems and relationships necessary to support reliable, efficient manufacturing operations.

**Position Summary**

The Maintenance and Engineering Manager is a key member of the plant leadership team responsible for advancing the effectiveness, capability, and reliability of the facility's maintenance and engineering functions.

This role requires more than strong technical expertise. We are seeking a leader who can develop people, establish effective maintenance processes, and create an environment where equipment issues are addressed systematically and improvements are sustained.

The successful candidate will focus on building a proactive, well-organized maintenance organization that supports production needs, minimizes unplanned downtime, and continuously improves equipment performance.

A central expectation of this position is to develop a team capable of operating effectively without relying on the manager to personally resolve every technical challenge. This includes establishing clear expectations, developing technical skills, delegating responsibilities, and ensuring maintenance activities are properly planned, executed, documented, and followed through to completion.

Equally important is the ability to build productive working relationships across the plant. The Maintenance and Engineering Manager must work collaboratively with Production, Quality, Safety, Finance, and other departments to understand operational challenges, establish shared priorities, and deliver practical, sustainable solutions.

The position also provides oversight of engineering improvements, capital projects, and facility infrastructure to support the company's long-term operational objectives.

**Key Responsibilities**

**1. Maintenance Reliability and Operational Improvement**

Develop and lead a proactive maintenance program that improves equipment reliability, reduces recurring failures, and supports consistent manufacturing performance.

• Strengthen preventive and predictive maintenance practices to reduce unplanned equipment downtime.
• Establish effective processes for maintenance planning, scheduling, execution, and follow-up.
• Utilize equipment performance data, downtime trends, and maintenance histories to identify and prioritize improvement opportunities.
• Lead structured problem-solving and root cause analysis efforts to eliminate recurring equipment failures.
• Ensure the effective use of the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS), including work orders, equipment histories, and preventive maintenance records.
• Establish appropriate spare parts inventory practices and critical equipment support strategies.
• Develop sustainable maintenance standards and processes that improve equipment performance and reduce reliance on reactive repairs.
• Monitor maintenance performance and communicate progress against established reliability objectives.

**2. Team Leadership, Development, and Accountability**

Build and develop a capable, accountable maintenance organization with the technical skills, leadership, and processes necessary to support plant operations.

• Provide leadership, coaching, and direction to maintenance supervisors, technicians, and other assigned technical personnel.
• Establish clear roles, responsibilities, performance expectations, and accountability throughout the maintenance team.
• Assess individual and team capabilities and implement development plans to strengthen technical and troubleshooting skills.
• Develop the leadership and decision-making capabilities of maintenance supervisors and key technical personnel.
• Delegate responsibilities effectively and empower team members to independently identify, troubleshoot, and resolve equipment issues.
• Establish consistent departmental routines, including work prioritization, shift communication, maintenance planning, and follow-up.
• Foster a culture of ownership, teamwork, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
• Address performance concerns constructively while recognizing and reinforcing positive contributions.
• Build a maintenance organization that consistently executes its responsibilities without depending