Job Description

Maintenance Supervisor - Food & Beverage Manufacturing 

Location: Vernon Hills, IL

Compensation:  62,000 - 71,500

Job Description:

Maintenance Supervisor – Food & Beverage Manufacturing

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Maintenance Supervisor to lead and coordinate maintenance activities within a fast-paced food and beverage manufacturing facility. This role is responsible for supervising maintenance personnel, ensuring reliable operation of production equipment, minimizing downtime, and maintaining a safe, efficient, and compliant manufacturing environment.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on maintenance leader with strong mechanical and electrical troubleshooting skills, experience with automated manufacturing equipment, and a proven ability to develop and motivate maintenance teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise, schedule, and develop maintenance technicians and mechanics across assigned shifts.

• Lead preventive and predictive maintenance programs to improve equipment reliability and reduce downtime.

• Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and automated equipment issues.

• Coordinate emergency repairs and prioritize maintenance activities based on production needs.

• Support maintenance and repair of conveyors, pumps, motors, gearboxes, packaging equipment, processing equipment, and utilities.

• Troubleshoot PLCs, VFDs, sensors, controls, and automated production systems.

• Review maintenance work orders and ensure timely completion and accurate documentation.

• Partner with Production, Quality, Sanitation, and Engineering teams to resolve equipment and process issues.

• Monitor equipment performance and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

• Maintain accurate maintenance records, inventory, parts, and equipment documentation.

• Ensure maintenance activities comply with OSHA, food safety, GMP, HACCP, and company requirements.

• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure all maintenance work is performed safely.

• Assist with equipment installation, upgrades, facility improvements, and capital projects.

• Train and mentor maintenance employees on troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and safe work practices.

• Manage outside contractors and vendors when necessary.

• Participate in root-cause analysis and corrective-action initiatives to prevent recurring equipment failures.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of industrial maintenance experience, preferably within food, beverage, dairy, meat, or other high-volume manufacturing.

• 1–3+ years of maintenance leadership or supervisory experience preferred.

• Strong mechanical and electrical troubleshooting capabilities.

• Experience with PLCs, VFDs, automated equipment, sensors, and control systems.

• Working knowledge of hydraulics, pneumatics, motors, pumps, conveyors, and mechanical drive systems.

• Ability to read electrical schematics, mechanical drawings, and equipment manuals.

• Experience with preventive and predictive maintenance programs.

• Strong understanding of OSHA and workplace safety requirements.

• Food manufacturing experience and knowledge of GMP/HACCP requirements preferred.

• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and respond effectively to equipment emergencies.

• Technical degree, industrial maintenance certification, or equivalent experience is a plus.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a hands-on maintenance leader who can effectively balance people management with technical problem-solving. You should be comfortable working alongside technicians, production teams, and plant leadership while taking ownership of equipment reliability, downtime reduction, safety, and continuous improvement.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience

• Comprehensive benefits package

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• 401(k) with company match

• Paid time off and holidays

• Opportunities for career advancement

• Stable work environment within a growing manufacturing organization

All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, age, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable laws or regulations. GPAC (Growing People and Companies) is an award-winning search firm specializing in placing quality professionals within multiple industries across the United States since 1990. We are extremely competitive, client-focused and realize that our value is in our ability to deliver the right solutions at the right time.