Maintenance Planner

We got our start over 125 years ago when Joseph Lodge founded the Blacklock Foundry in South Pittsburg, TN. His scrappy, hardworking spirit continues to lead us today. As a team, we believe cast iron is for everyone. We’re dedicated to manufacturing American-made cookware that we’re proud to use in our very own homes and excited to bring to kitchens, backyards, and campfires around the world.

Day in and day out, we work together to stay safe, have fun, and be better than we were the day before.

By now, you may have caught on to the fact that we’re serious about spreading the joys of cast iron. And while we’re always on the lookout for ways to innovate, we believe in the adage:
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. That’s why we stand by a simple recipe of just iron and oil (no forever chemicals, since forever!). It’s also why we’re passionate about keeping our campus in our hometown of South Pittsburg, Tennessee, providing great jobs to our community. As we bring our cookware to the next generation of cast iron chefs, we’re looking for people to help us stay true to our roots every step of the way.

Does that sound like something you can get behind?

The Maintenance Planner creates, manages, and optimizes maintenance schedules for equipment and facilities to ensure they operate efficiently and reliably. Key responsibilities include generating work orders, coordinating resources like parts and labor, and liaising with production teams to minimize downtime. They also maintain records, manage parts inventory, and may develop preventative maintenance plans.

The ideal candidate will have a strong mechanical or industrial maintenance background, excellent organizational and communication skills, and the ability to balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

This position plays a key role in improving the effectiveness of the maintenance process, maintaining accurate records in the CMMS, and supporting the foundry’s goals of safety, reliability, and continuous improvement.

• Develop, manage, and communicate daily, weekly, and long-term maintenance schedules for all foundry operations.
• Coordinate planned work with production and engineering to minimize impact on melting, molding, and finishing operations.
• Review, prioritize, and plan work orders based on safety, production impact, urgency, and available resources.
• Ensure all parts, tools, permits, and documentation are available before scheduled work begins.
• Maintain accurate CMMS records of work performed, labor hours, parts usage, and equipment history.
• Lead weekly maintenance planning and scheduling meetings to align maintenance and production priorities.
• Track and report key performance indicators (KPIs) such as backlog, schedule compliance, and PM completion.
• Support the development and continuous improvement of preventive and predictive maintenance programs.
• Assist in developing detailed job plans and standard work instructions for recurring maintenance activities.
• Support reliability initiatives and continuous improvement efforts focused on reducing unplanned downtime.
• High School Diploma or GED required, technical certificate or degree preferred.
• 3+ years of experience in industrial maintenance, planning, or scheduling (foundry experience highly preferred).
• Strong understanding of mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems used in foundry operations.
• Proficiency with CMMS software (eMaint, SAP, or similar) and Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Outlook, Word).
• Excellent communication, coordination, and time management skills.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, schematics, and equipment manuals.

• Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Advanced Excel skills for reporting and data analysis.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact effectively across departments.
• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Demonstrated problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
• Experience in a heavy industrial,…