Maintenance Manager

Maintenance Manager

Department: Maintenance

Reports To: Executive Director of Operations

FLSA Status: Exempt

Supervisory Responsibilities: Maintenance Department and Supervisor(s)

The Maintenance Manager is responsible for overseeing the maintenance, repair, and reliability of all die casting and CNC equipment, support systems, and facilities. This role ensures minimal downtime, optimal equipment performance, and compliance with safety and quality standards. The manager leads a team of skilled maintenance technicians, coordinates preventive and predictive maintenance programs, and drives continuous improvement in equipment efficiency and uptime.

• Plan, schedule, and oversee maintenance activities for die casting machines, furnaces, trim presses, cooling systems, and auxiliary equipment.
• Develop and implement preventive and predictive maintenance programs to ensure maximum equipment reliability and lifespan.
• Drive continuous improvement for the preventative and predictive maintenance programs.
• Coordinate with production and engineering teams to minimize production interruption and downtime.
• Supervise, train, and mentor maintenance personnel to ensure technical proficiency and adherence to safety and quality standards.
• Manage staffing levels, performance evaluations, and ongoing training programs.
• Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Analyze equipment performance data to identify and address root causes of downtime or inefficiency.
• Collaborate with engineering and production teams to improve die changeovers, cycle times, and casting quality.
• Recommend and implement upgrades or modifications to improve productivity and safety.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, environmental, and company safety policies including lockout/tagout procedures.
• Conduct regular inspections and risk assessments of equipment and facilities.
• Lead investigations and corrective actions for equipment-related incidents or near misses.
• Prepare and manage the maintenance department budget, including spare parts inventory and contractor services.
• Evaluate and select vendors for equipment, parts, and maintenance services.
• Track maintenance costs and drive cost reduction initiatives.
• Maintain accurate maintenance records in the CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) for work orders and compliance documents.
• Generate reports on equipment uptime, maintenance KPIs, and cost performance.
• Ensure maintenance activities comply with quality standards such as ISO, IATF 16959, or customer-specific requirements.
• Manage external contractors, service providers, and equipment suppliers.
• Participate in capital project planning and equipment commissioning.

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering (or equivalent technical field).
• Relevant certifications (e.g., Maintenance Management Professional, Six Sigma, or Lean Manufacturing) preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in industrial maintenance, with at least 3 years in a supervisory or management role.
• Familiarity with die casting machinery brands (e.g., Buhler, Toshiba, Idra, or UBE) and associated support equipment.
• Strong understanding of mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic systems.
• Proficiency in CMMS software and maintenance planning tools.
• Knowledge of PLCs, robotics, and automation systems preferred.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Strong problem-solving and decision‑making ability under pressure.
• Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

• Equipment uptime / OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness)
• Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) / Mean Time To Repair (MTTR)
• Maintenance cost per machine-hour
• Compliance with preventive maintenance schedules
• Safety incident rate
• Manufacturing plant environment with exposure to heat, noise, and molten metal.
• Requires wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Occasional after‑hours or weekend work may be required to support production schedules.
• May require off‑shift, weekend or emergency support as needed.

Empire is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.