Dairy Farmers of America

Maintenance Manager

Dairy Farmers of America  •  $110k - $125k/yr  •  Cedarburg, WI (Onsite)  •  2 hours ago
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Job Description

Kemps, a farmer-owned brand of Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), is seeking a hands-on, forward-thinking Maintenance Manager to join our fluid milk and cream manufacturing facility in Cedarburg, Wisconsin In this highly visible leadership role, you will partner closely with the Plant Engineer to drive safety, reliability, automation, and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance plant performance and product quality.

Reporting to the Sr. Manager, Engineering, this position offers the opportunity to lead a skilled maintenance team while leveraging technology, automation, and preventive maintenance strategies to maximize equipment effectiveness and operational excellence.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Lead and develop a unionized maintenance team to support safe, efficient, and reliable plant operations.
  • Manage preventive maintenance programs and asset reliability through CMMS utilization.
  • Drive Continuous Improvement initiatives and align maintenance activities with the Management Operating Structure (MOS).
  • Maintain and troubleshoot production equipment, HVAC systems, boilers, utility systems, and 480V three-phase motor controls.
  • Support and optimize automation systems, PLCs, and plant control technologies.
  • Monitor maintenance KPIs and implement corrective actions to improve equipment reliability and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
  • Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations, company policies, food safety standards, and applicable industry codes.
  • Support capital projects and maintenance programs that improve safety, quality, and productivity.

Qualifications

  • High school diploma or equivalent required; associate degree or technical coursework preferred.
  • Minimum of 5 years of maintenance leadership experience in dairy manufacturing preferred, with demonstrated success in food and beverage manufacturing environments also highly valued.
  • 3+ years of supervisory experience leading and developing maintenance technicians.
  • Strong knowledge of industrial mechanical and electrical systems, including PLC troubleshooting and automation.
  • Experience with CMMS, preventive maintenance programs, and equipment reliability strategies.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office and maintenance management software.
  • Proven ability to lead change and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience with dairy or food processing equipment, including fillers, blow mold machines, pneumatic and hydraulic systems.
  • Allen-Bradley PLC experience, including ladder logic troubleshooting and editing.
  • Ammonia refrigeration, HTST pasteurization, fabrication, welding, and machining experience.
  • Knowledge of GMPs, union environments, workers’ compensation, and safety programs.

An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans

Pay Range


$110,000 - $125,000/year

Dairy Farmers of America

About Dairy Farmers of America

At Dairy Farmers of America, our 19,000 employees work with one goal in mind – to bring value to our family farm-owners.

As a farmer-owned cooperative, DFA offers rewarding jobs across the nation in a variety of fields, including manufacturing, accounting, communications, marketing, economics, on-farm field services, and more.

We value our employees and reward them with competitive benefits, a supportive working environment, and growth opportunities. We capitalize on the strengths of each individual and ensure that each employee is challenged in their role. Through Dairy University, employees receive online training and job enhancement, classes. Employees also have the opportunity to grow within DFA.

We also want our employees to live a healthy lifestyle and offer a health and wellness program that provides access to online classes and materials tailored to help our employees make healthier choices, as well as an Employee Assistance Program that helps employees with legal and health issues, such as advice on parenting or stress management, and free counseling sessions.

At DFA, we understand that our employees provide value within our organization and in our community. We cultivate a culture of openness, transparency, and integrity where employees are encouraged to voice their opinions and share their ideas. We also believe we have a responsibility to give back the communities in which we operate and work to do so through the DFA Cares Foundation.

Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. is an equal employment employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to minorities, females, veterans, and disabled individuals.

Industry
Food & Beverage
Company Size
5,001-10,000 employees
Headquarters
Kansas City, KS
Year Founded
1998
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