Maintenance & Engineering Manager

Clover Sonoma

Petaluma, CA

Pay: $120,000-$140,000/yr

Shift: Full time

As a purpose-driven, certified B corporation, Clover is leading the way for conscious businesses by demonstrating care for all stakeholders and moving the world forward. We are committed to lowering our environmental impact and meeting our sustainability targets, by providing kids and adults with healthy, nutritious, and delicious products that are made with care for animals, people, and the planet.

**About the Role**

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Clover Sonoma is seeking an experienced Maintenance and Engineering Manager to lead our Maintenance Department and support the reliable, safe, and efficient operation of our 24/7 milk processing, bottling, and distribution facilities. This role is responsible for overseeing maintenance and engineering operations, ensuring the reliability and performance of production equipment, facility infrastructure, and utility systems while minimizing downtime and optimizing operational efficiency.

The ideal candidate will provide strong technical leadership, drive continuous improvement initiatives, and ensure all activities meet Clover Sonoma’s high standards for food safety, production quality, regulatory compliance, and workplace safety. This is an on-site leadership position requiring regular engagement with maintenance personnel, manufacturing operations, and plant equipment. This role reports directly to the Director of Plant Operations.

**Departmental & Facility Operations Management**

• Lead day-to-day maintenance operations for production equipment, processing systems, and plant utilities to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient manufacturing operations.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve preventive and predictive maintenance programs to minimize unplanned downtime, improve equipment reliability, and extend equipment lifespan.
• Plan and prioritize maintenance activities, including work orders, technician assignments, resource allocation, parts availability, and preventive maintenance schedules.
• Establish, document, and standardize maintenance procedures, SOPs, and best practices to promote consistency, accountability, and operational efficiency.
• Utilize computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), such as ManagerPlus, and applicable enterprise systems, including SAP, to manage work orders, maintenance records, parts inventory, and performance reporting.
• Lead equipment troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and corrective actions for recurring equipment failures and operational inefficiencies.
• Ensure reliable operation and regulatory compliance of plant utilities, including boilers, steam, compressed air, refrigeration, HVAC, and wastewater systems.
• Maintain compliance with applicable safety, food quality, environmental, and regulatory requirements, including boiler operating requirements and electrical safety practices.
• Monitor and improve key maintenance performance indicators, including Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), preventive maintenance completion rates, equipment downtime, maintenance costs, and budget performance.
• Oversee spare parts inventory, purchasing, vendor relationships, and maintenance expenditures to support operational needs and budget compliance.
• Collaborate with Operations, Quality, and plant leadership to identify improvement opportunities, resolve equipment-related challenges, and support production goals.
• Support equipment installations, automation initiatives, facility improvements, and capital projects as needed, while maintaining primary accountability for daily maintenance operations.
• Manage and coordinate all third-party vendors related to maintenance activities and engineering services.

**Team Leadership & Supervision**

• Lead, coach, and develop a maintenance team of approximately 10 employees, including Forepersons, Tier 1 and Tier 2 technicians, and apprentice-level maintenance personnel.
• Foster a collaborative, respectful, and accountable team environment that values technical expertise, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement.
• Establish clear expectations, provide constructive feedback, and support the professional and technical development of maintenance team members.
• Identify skill gaps, coordinate training, and standardize technical knowledge and maintenance practices across the team.
• Conduct daily maintenance briefings, assign work priorities, and ensure effective coordination of scheduled and emergency maintenance activities.
• Promote a proactive maintenance culture focused on safety, equipment reliability, operational discipline, and problem-solving.
• Lead effectively through changing priorities, equipment emergencies, and challenging operational situations while maintaining professionalism and sound judgment.
• Track team performance, review work order completion, and reinforce accountability for safety, quality, productivity, and maintenance standards.
• Exercise supervisory responsibilities related to hiring, performance evaluations, employee development, timecard appr