Production Maintenance Manager

Location: Cokato

The Production Maintenance Manager is responsible for leading the production maintenance team to ensure all farm facilities, equipment, and egg-handling systems operate safely, efficiently, and reliably across the assigned farm site. This role focuses heavily on preventive maintenance execution, equipment reliability, and consistent upkeep of critical farm systems such as egg packers, fans, augers, conveyors, feed and manure handling equipment, and building infrastructure.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader who thrives in an agricultural environment, understands the demands of live production, and takes pride in building a strong maintenance culture centered on safety, biosecurity, equipment reliability, and productivity. Basic PLC and automated equipment troubleshooting skills are essential to support modern farm systems.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, train, and develop Production Maintenance Technicians to ensure high performance, safety, and accountability.
• Promote a strong safety and biosecurity culture by enforcing policies, conducting regular training, and modeling proper work practices.
• Schedule and coordinate daily and weekly maintenance activities across assigned farm locations.

Preventive Maintenance & Equipment Reliability

• Strengthen, execute, and continuously improve the farm's Preventive Maintenance (PM) program.
• Develop PM schedules for equipment such as egg packing systems, dryers, fans, augers, conveyors, motors, feed systems, and building components.
• Monitor PM completion rates, adjust frequencies based on equipment performance, and reduce unplanned downtime.
• Document maintenance work, inspections, and repairs accurately and consistently.

Farm Equipment, Automation & Facility Maintenance

• Oversee maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs for all farm mechanical, electrical, and automated systems.
• Support and troubleshoot PLC-controlled equipment, including sensors, relays, drives, and automated farm processes.
• Collaborate with automation/controls personnel as needed to diagnose system issues and support software/hardware upgrades.
• Ensure reliable operation of:
  • Egg packing and collection systems
  • Automated conveyors and augers
  • Ventilation and Environmental Control Systems
  • Dryers, motors, and variable frequency drives (VFDs)
  • Barn utilities, lighting, and general building infrastructure
• Respond promptly to equipment issues and partner with farm management to minimize disruption to flock care and production.

Resource & Vendor Management

• Maintain appropriate inventory of critical spare parts, including sensors, drives, and automation components.
• Coordinate work with internal teams and external contractors for scheduled maintenance, equipment upgrades, and facility projects.

Safety, Biosecurity & Compliance

• Ensure maintenance activities follow farm biosecurity standards, sanitation requirements, and animal welfare considerations.
• Support regulatory compliance related to facility upkeep, equipment function, and environmental controls.
• Ensure maintenance staff follow protocols before entering and exiting barns and during on-farm work.

Operational & Continuous Improvement Support

• Collaborate with farm leadership to identify opportunities for improved equipment reliability, automation efficiency, and cost savings.
• Support farm capital projects including new equipment installations, facility expansions, controls upgrades, and system improvements.
• Participate in long-term planning for asset management, equipment replacement, and infrastructure improvements.

Other Duties

• Perform other farm-related maintenance responsibilities and projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in maintenance leadership within agricultural, poultry, livestock, or industrial environments.
• Strong understanding of mechanical and electrical systems common to farm operations (conveyors, fans, augers, motors, ventilation systems, etc.).
• Basic PLC troubleshooting experience, including familiarity with sensors, I/O, controls wiring, and automated equipment.
• Experience with VFDs, motor controls, and automated farm equipment preferred.
• Demonstrated success developing and implementing preventive maintenance programs.
• Ability to lead and motivate a technical team working across multiple farm locations.
• Commitment to safety, biosecurity, and continuous improvement.
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work in farm environments and respond to urgent maintenance needs.

Salary Description

$80,000 - $100,000/year