Job Description

Maintenance Supervisor
(Non-Union / Salaried)

Department: Maintenance

Reports To: Plant and General Manager

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Pay Range + other compensation components:

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, STD, LTD, Thrift, Life Insurance, FSA, Paid time off, Paid holidays, Employee Assistance Program

Shift: 1st shift, typically 5 days a week. Additional hours and days (holidays, weekends) are required as needed.

80% on site-supervision, problem-solving, implementing, and observing, 10% office, planning, and reporting, 10% staff meetings, group planning, audits, tours, misc.

The Maintenance Supervisor oversees the manufacturing and plant operations on a shift basis. This position has direct responsibility for work teams and larger projects in compliance with food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

The Maintenance Supervisor shall be responsible for, but not limited to, the following:

• Provide support to improve quality excellence, food safety, and product development efforts, cooperating closely with the quality control team.
• Develop a culture of accelerated continuous improvement utilizing standard work, problem identification, A3 problem solving, and decision making at the level of execution.
• Leading operational improvements in the assigned work team areas.
• Ensure work area teams follow the continuous improvement framework in the areas of Safety, Food Safety Quality, and Productivity when conducting Daily Management meetings.
• Help other group leaders and Team members achieve their goals through guidance and modeling.
• Work with other group leaders, both operational and functional, to identify, prioritize and resolve issues between the teams.
• Develop the leadership capabilities of work area team leaders with formal bi-weekly coaching, goal setting, training, and timely completion of performance reviews.
• Keep a pulse on the engagement level and attitude of other group leaders and team leaders.
• Support team leaders in developing and maintaining standard work, implementing following defined standards.
• Support in hiring process with candidate reviews and interviews.
• Primary liaison between work areas and other management.
• Stay current with industry trends and technology.
• Live and promote our vision and mission.
• Ensure appropriate implementation and management of Safety and Food Safety Quality GMP’s.
• Ensure that we adhere to all state and federal regulations in the areas of safety and food safety quality.
• Ensure that we follow all company and customer standards.
• Work with teams to set goals to improve and demonstrate meaningful improvements in Safety, Food Safety Quality, and Productivity.
• Manage all company business according to the objectives of the company.
• Understand and execute the principles of the company’s Operational Excellence program driving the right behaviors, standards and continuous improvements across all operating entities.
• Participate in cross-functional teams as required to advance the business trends of the company.
• Compliance will all company and regulatory policies/guidelines relating to associate safety, food safety and food quality.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• 3-5 years leadership experience in a manufacturing environment.

The following is preferred

• Associate’s degree in mechanical or electrical discipline.
• Bachelor's degree in mechanical or electrical engineering.
• Technical experience with ammonia refrigeration and Process Safety Management.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Must demonstrate excellent analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• At ease in a fast-paced, dynamic, unionized manufacturing environment.
• Strong aptitude for automation, automation controls and control logic.

Required Soft Skills:

• Ability to work without direct supervision.
• Excellent verbal communication skills.
• Excellent leadership, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills.
• Coachable and willing to learn.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to adapt to changing organizational and operational needs.
• Ability to multitask when needed.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and have attention to detail.
• Ability to coach, develop, engage, and retain a team of employees.

Competency

• Must be able to read and write English and perform basic math calculations.
• Effective time management skills to achieve results through prioritizing demands.
• Demonstrates critical thinking skills and effective decision-making skills.
• Strong attention-to-detail and organizational skills.
• Must demonstrate proficiency in essential tasks and a willingness to learn.

Working Conditions

• Comfortable working in a refrigerated environment for extended periods up to an entire shift.

• Ability to stand, bend, sit, and move throughout the shift.

• May be required to wear appropriate PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) in designated areas.
• While performing the duties of this job, he/she may be frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts and forklifts.
• May be occasionally exposed to wet / humid / cold conditions (non-weather).
• The noise level in the work environment may be loud.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends and holidays, as needed.
• Willingness to work overtime, as needed.

In return we offer:

• Competitive compensation
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage so you and your family can focus on wellness—not medical bills
• Thrift retirement plan with company contribution to help you build long-term financial security
• Company‑provided uniforms—no need to buy or plan work clothes.
• A stable, long‑term leadership role with consistent schedules and clear expectations.
• opportunities to lead improvement projects, develop your team, and continue growing as a technical and people leader.

About Prairie Farms – “Farmer Owned. Locally Produced. Since 1938.”

We are a farmer-owned cooperative. This means we are owned and operated by over 800+ farm families who are critical members of society. They have selflessly taken on the tremendous task of producing nutritious, high-quality milk for a growing population, which requires being on the job 24/7, 365 days a year.

We have represented American agriculture since our founding in 1938. Many of our dairy farms are operated by several generations of family members with roots dating back to the 1800s. On average, each farm milks around 120 cows and everyone pitches in to keep them happy and healthy - which means around-the-clock care!

Our Mission:

• To produce dairy products of the highest quality
• To conduct our business with professional integrity
• To exceed expectations of our customers and consumers
• To support our communities in a positive, sustainable manner
• To deliver exceptional patronage to our network of farm families
• To simply “do right” for our farm families, employees, and communities

EEO Statement

Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.