Job Description

Corporate Maintenance Director

AJM Packaging Corporation

Southgate, MI

Salary: $175,000 - $225,000

Bonus: Performance Based

-

AJM Packaging Corporation, one of America’s leading manufacturers of sustainably sourced and produced paper products, including a broad range of paper plates, cups, bowls and bags, is seeking to redefine maintenance leadership. This isn’t just about keeping machines running; it’s about engineering reliability, sustainability, and innovation across a dynamic manufacturing network. The Corporate Maintenance Director will champion world-class maintenance practices, leveraging TPM, RCM, and data-driven strategies to deliver operational excellence across multiple manufacturing operations all based in the USA. Leverage company subject matter experience/experts to advance current maintenance and reliability efforts through enhanced communication and best practice sharing.

Responsibilities & Duties -

• Drive Maintenance Transformation: Responsible for the strategic leadership, design and implementation of a Maintenance Excellence Program integrating TPM, Lean, Reliability-Centered Maintenance, and Continuous Improvement principles for high volume, paper converting manufacturing. Initiate and manage the corporate maintenance programs based on best practices in the CPG industry, with an emphasis on equipment criticality, time-based maintenance & condition-based maintenance, effective planning, and scheduling, completing high quality maintenance repairs, following health, safety, & environmental policies and procedures.
• Lead Predictive & Preventive Strategies: In concert with Corporate Manufacturing develop and execute the maintenance strategy aligned with corporate and plant objectives. Deploy condition-based monitoring, IoT-enabled diagnostics, and CMMS optimization to maximize uptime and asset health. Establish clear performance metrics (MTBF, MTTR, maintenance cost, energy usage, etc.) and drive continuous improvement. Institutionalize the culture of planned maintenance across our network of plants as well as put in place the right governance. Analyze operational data and equipment performance history to deliver improvements in critical maintenance related metrics including unplanned downtime, PM compliance, schedule compliance, MTBF, and maintenance related costs.
• Mentor & Build Talent: Develop high-performing teams and future technical leaders through structured training, coaching, and engagement.
• Collaborate Across Functions: Partner with Engineering, Operations, and Quality to align maintenance strategies with capital projects and sustainability goals.
• Optimize Resources: Manage multi-site budgets, spare and critical parts programs, and vendor relationships for cost efficiency and reliability; eliminate obsolete inventory.
• Champion Safety & Compliance: Embed HSE, SQF, and regulatory standards into every process, ensuring risk assessments and safe work practices. Collaborate with EHS to manage environmental permits, waste handling, emissions, and sustainability initiatives. Drive a strong safety culture within maintenance and engineering teams, including incident reporting, investigations, and corrective actions.
• Administrative Management: Develop and manage annual budgets for maintenance and facilities.
• Monitor and control maintenance and facilities spending, identifying cost-reduction and efficiency opportunities. Negotiate and manage contracts with external service providers, contractors, and key equipment/parts suppliers. Maintain accurate documentation, records, and reporting for audits, compliance, and internal reviews.
• Advance Sustainability: Lead energy-reduction initiatives and environmental compliance programs.
• Support Capital Projects: Oversee installations, upgrades, and modernization efforts in collaboration with corporate engineering.
• Leverage Advanced Technology: Troubleshoot and program robotics, PLCs, drives, and automation.

Minimum Requirements -

• Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing/mechanical engineering, Industrial Management, Maintenance Management, or equivalent experience required.
• Minimum of 10+ years in high-volume manufacturing maintenance leadership, including 3 + years overseeing multi-site maintenance groups managing multi-disciplinary teams (maintenance technicians, engineers, facilities staff. Significant experience in leading asset reliability manufacturing performance in fast-moving manufacturing environments with exceptional results (CPG experience) with a career that has seen time at the Front Line and Maintenance Manager level.
• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Demonstrable and intuitive knowledge on fundamentals of good manufacturing practice, process improvement and optimization, reconfiguration and imbedding of new or enhanced technology, 
• Experience managing costs and variance, motivators and engagement levers for shop floor-based performance, experience in TPM-Total productive maintenance, 5S, LEAN, 6 sigma tools and concepts.
• Deep knowledge of industrial maintenance practices, reliability engineering, and facilities management. Strong knowledge of predictive maintenance technologies, OEE improvement, and asset management.
• Proficiency with EAM systems and data-driven decision making.
• Solid understanding of electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems.
• Expertise in industrial automation, PLCs, robotics, and integrated systems.
• Excellent problem-solving, root cause analysis, and project management skills.
• Effective communication and cross-functional collaboration abilities.
• Ability to develop and optimize standardized operating procedures that enhance reliability and productivity.
• CMRP (Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional) certification preferred but not required.

Benefits -

At AJM, our comprehensive “Cafeteria Benefits Plan” and “Flexible Spending Arrangement” (FSA), truly sets us apart from the competition. Under the cafeteria plan you’ll receive a comprehensive package of company paid medical, dental, optical, life and disability insurance coverage.

of Benefits –

• Medical Insurance (BCBS)
• Dental Insurance
• Optical Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Short & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Cafeteria Benefits Plan
• Flexible Spending Agreement
• Health Savings Account
• Child & Dependent Care Savings Account
• 401 K Retirement Plan (with Safe Harbor Company Match)
• Tuition Assistance
• Employee Assistance/Wellness Program
• Paid Vacations
• Paid Holiday
• Paid Sick & Personal Time
• Professional Development Program (AJM University)

About Us -

AJM was originally founded as a distributor of commercial paper, plastic and foil packaging products and related cleaning, janitorial and order processing supplies and equipment by three (3) Detroit area brothers operating out of a small warehouse in Detroit’s Eastern Market. In 1957 they built and moved into slightly larger quarters on Detroit’s southwest side, where, for the very first time, they began manufacturing their own products. Over the ensuing decades, AJM gradually evolved from its broadline distributor beginnings into a major paper products manufacturer, today employing nearly 3,000 people and operating eight (8) manufacturing and five (5) warehouse/distribution facilities strategically located throughout the United States.

Some things have undoubtedly changed since AJM was founded, but the company’s commitment to its customers and employees, alike, has not wavered and is deeply embedded in its DNA. So, too, is the founding brothers’ entrepreneurial spirit, “can do” attitude and singular focus on the value proposition that has fueled the company’s success from the very beginning. We’re still family owned and operated, still manufacturing our products in the good old USA and still providing our customers with the same reliable service and quality products they’ve come to expect from AJM for more than 75 years now.

Career Development -

At AJM, we realize we will only go as far as our employees can take us and, for that reason, we invest millions of dollars every year on both classroom and on-the-job training to develop our employees’ skills and promote a culture of learning and continuous improvement. There are no barriers to impede your progress here and no ceilings to halt your advance. You’ll control your own destiny, and we will help you reach your full potential with both in-house development programs and tuition reimbursement for undergraduate and graduate level college studies. Join our team and see where your AJM journey takes you!

For More Information -

Visit our website at www.ajmpack.com

AJM Packaging Corporation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin or other legally protected status.