Plant Maintenance and Engineering Manager

The Plant Maintenance and Engineering Manager is responsible for leading the maintenance and engineering functions to ensure optimal equipment reliability, production efficiency, and workplace safety. This role drives a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence while managing capital projects, maintenance budgets, and a skilled trades workforce. As a key member of the Plant Operations Leadership Team, this leader will develop and implement strategic initiatives to enhance plant performance and future technological advancements.

Leadership & Strategy:

• Foster a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with OSHA regulations and company safety policies.

• Provide leadership, training, and development for the maintenance team, including skilled trades employees and supervisory staff.

• Lead the engineering and maintenance departments in strategic planning and execution of continuous improvement initiatives.

• Develop and execute the annual capital budget, ensuring cost-effective project implementation.

• Oversee all aspects of maintenance planning, contractor management, and operational excellence strategies.

• Directly supervise the Plant Electrical Supervisor/Engineer, Plant Mechanical Supervisor/Engineer, and Utilities/Facilities Manager.

• Manage a team of 45 skilled trades employees and oversee a maintenance budget of approximately $5.5M.

Operations & Project Management:

• Oversee the execution of engineering and maintenance projects, ensuring alignment with production goals and budgetary constraints.

• Lead multiple projects using best-practice project management methodologies, including scope definition, scheduling, resource allocation, and risk management.

• Collaborate with plant leadership and production staff to align engineering and maintenance strategies with overall plant objectives.

• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations related to maintenance and engineering functions.

• Monitor and continuously improve the operation of plant equipment and systems to minimize unplanned downtime and optimize efficiency.

• Drive implementation of predictive and preventive maintenance programs.

Financial & Resource Management:

• Manage maintenance and engineering controllable expenses, including repair materials, utilities, and labor costs.

• Identify cost-saving opportunities and implement process improvements to drive operational efficiency.

• Optimize resource allocation to maximize productivity and minimize downtime.

Continuous Improvement & Technical Innovation:

• Lead daily continuous improvement initiatives, utilizing Lean, Six Sigma, and other methodologies to enhance plant performance.

• Stay ahead of emerging technologies and implement innovative solutions to improve plant operations and reliability.

• Ensure maintenance practices are integrated into engineering designs.

• Promote a culture of problem-solving and knowledge sharing across teams.

What It Takes:

• Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing, Engineering, or a related field.

• 5-7 years of experience in a manufacturing environment, with a strong background in maintenance and engineering leadership.

• Demonstrated success in managing capital projects and delivering measurable operational improvements.

• Strong project management skills, including prioritization, problem-solving, and resource allocation.

• Experience leading diverse teams with a focus on employee engagement and development.

• Expertise in continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, etc.) with a track record of driving cost reductions and performance enhancements.

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to drive change and influence at all levels of the organization.

• Strong ability to work in ambiguous situations and maintain a sense of urgency to meet organizational goals.

What We Can Offer You:

We prioritize the health and happiness of our employees by granting new hires eligibility for benefits starting on the 1st of the month following their hire date. Our comprehensive benefits package includes full, low-cost coverage for health, vision, and dental insurance. Additionally, we provide an array of other perks, including:

• Complimentary access to our 24/7, onsite fitness center.

• 100% 401(k) match up to the first 5% contributed, with full vesting day 1.  

• Generous annual time off package: vacation starts at two (2) weeks and increases based on previous experience, supplemented by one (1) week of sick and emergency time, twelve (12) holidays per year, and paid volunteer and parental leave.

• Tuition reimbursement (up to $5,250 annually), scholarships for dependents, monthly cell phone reimbursement, and much more!

Who We Are:

Appvion is the market leader in manufacturing specialty and high-performance coatings for direct thermal and film applications in North America. We innovate sustainable specialty coating solutions that are a part of many tickets, labels, tags, and packages consumers touch daily.

As a premier employer of choice, distinguished by the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce Employee Friendly Workplace certification, our success is rooted in our people. We are committed to promoting work life balance and integration by investing significantly in employee-friendly policies and practices. Whether you are looking to start, make a change, or advance your career, find your path at Appvion, and leave your mark on the world.

The Fine Print:

A post-offer, pre-employment background check, and drug screen is required.Appvion provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact human resources at recruiter@appvion.com.