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Back To ListTPM/Maintenance Manager
TITLE
TPM/Maintenance Manager
POSITION SUMMARY
This position will serve to be the key technical, maintenance and infrastructure leader. The successful candidate will be a member of the operations leadership team to drive continuous improvement and the proper maintenance of plant equipment. The role will serve as the plant’s Progressive Maintenance (PM) Pillar Owner and will be responsible for driving the key result metrics of the pillar. Additionally, the role will serve to deliver the business in the areas of Safety, Quality, Reliability, Efficiency, Cost, Delivery, and Sustainability. The Technical Manager is responsible for the leadership, development, and support of our Maintenance resources and systems.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Perform maintenance management by leading maintenance resources and establishing priorities in maintenance schedules
- Support the operating departments’ Technical Leaders, Maintenance Leaders, Planners and Technicians to:
- Develop their technical acumen
- Understand and apply Progressive Maintenance tools
- Prioritize work effectively through use of a CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System)
- Respond to process failures and breakdowns with a sense of urgency
- Train all levels of the organization to complete mechanical work
- Drive high-performance work culture by engaging with team members on the floor and coaching to problem solve, make decisions, and become self-reliant
- Coach operating teams and leadership to root cause identification, elimination of losses, and the use of problem-solving tools to identify gaps and prioritize work.
- Lead the plant facilities team to ensure reliable operations and maintenance of plant infrastructure, utilities, buildings & grounds
- Lead the maintenance storeroom staff to:
- Operate and maintain all aspects of the maintenance storeroom
- Develop and teach Storeroom DMS (Daily Management Systems), including all In-process measures
- Responsible for the maintenance shop to ensure staffing, skills and equipment to support plant maintenance repair activities
- Lead the Site Progressive Maintenance (PM) Pillar and collaborate with the corporate PM Pillar Team
- Responsible for electronic reliability data and improving methods for collecting accurate data
- Establish and track KPIs as required to successfully manage the safety, quality, and efficiency of the maintenance operations
- Working closely with the Plant Engineer, lead and execute on the 5-year Capital Expenditure strategy to upgrade and maintain plant facilities and equipment
- Participate in and/or lead improvement teams to provide targeted improvements to meet plant and company objectives
- Address gaps in line/area performance through the implementation and effective coaching of Continuous Improvement methodologies; foster a zero-loss culture
- Owns a safety key element and/or a quality key element
- Support and foster our Company Culture through role modeling our Basic Beliefs and Our Commitment to Each Other
- Embrace the Plant Vision and CBN (Compelling Business Need)
- Participate in the annual Site Master Planning process
- Support HPO (High Performance Organization) vision and work system
- Support continuous improvement programs and Role model behaviors
- Achieve an excellent understanding of operational capabilities and product flow including all inputs and outputs
- In conjunction with the HR Manager and Plant Manager, effectively manage employee relations issues
- Professionally represent the site to all constituents and stakeholders, including but not limited to: Internal Corporate Business Partners; Customers; Vendors; Contractors; Regulatory Representatives, etc.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Education
Bachelor’s degree is preferred, Engineering degree is preferredExperience
- 5 years of relevant experience is required
- Demonstrated ability leading a team to deliver business needs where employee safety receives top priority, followed closely by product quality and productivity
- Demonstrated ability building and developing leaders
- Experience coaching & growing capability in maintenance technicians. Identification of capability gaps, plans to close gaps in self and others to assure team skills meet immediate and future business / team needs
- Experience with maintenance work development, planning, and scheduling
- Experience with a CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System)
Other
- Demonstrated priority setting and problem solving
- Demonstrated ability to be decisive, proactive and strategic in decision making
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively across organization boundaries and with diverse teams
- Experience developing and maintaining a budget
- Demonstrated experience in building a high-performance work culture and systems is preferred
- Effective presentation, verbal, and written communication skills
- Ability to gather and validate data independently, analyze data to determine optimal solutions. Share analysis and solutions with others.
- Strong demonstrated technical and mechanical ability in order to coach others on equipment maintenance and troubleshooting.
- Project management experience would be valued for this role, as the individual will manage costs, schedules and resources for the work.
- Operates with discipline – set objectives, target timing and task priorities; follows through to meet commitments.
- Available to provide technical support and coordinate resources during major outages
- Willingness and ability for occasional travel as required
Freqently Asked Questions
Topeka's industrial sector shows a moderate demand for experienced TPM/Maintenance Managers, especially in food processing and manufacturing. Local companies value candidates with strong leadership and technical skills, making it important to showcase expertise in maintenance management and continuous improvement to stand out.
Certifications like Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP) and OSHA safety credentials are highly regarded in Kansas. These demonstrate a candidate’s commitment to safety and equipment reliability, aligning well with local employers’ expectations for leadership in plant maintenance.
Key competencies include strategic planning for asset reliability, proficiency in CMMS tools, and coaching abilities to develop maintenance teams. Strong data analysis skills for KPI tracking and a proactive approach to problem-solving are vital for driving continuous improvement in manufacturing environments.
Professionals often progress toward senior operations or plant management positions, leveraging their technical expertise and leadership experience. Expanding skills in project management and cross-department collaboration can significantly enhance advancement opportunities in industrial settings.
Managing unexpected equipment breakdowns while maintaining safety standards is common. Balancing resource allocation for preventive maintenance alongside urgent repairs requires sharp prioritization. Additionally, coordinating capital expenditure projects to upgrade aging facilities demands effective communication and project oversight.
Food Management Search emphasizes proactive coaching to foster a self-reliant, problem-solving team culture. Candidates who demonstrate decisiveness, strategic thinking, and the ability to drive high-performance work systems align with the company’s commitment to safety, quality, and operational excellence.
The TPM/Maintenance Manager is pivotal in leading root cause analyses and eliminating operational losses through collaborative problem-solving. The role involves close partnership with corporate PM teams and active participation in improvement projects, ensuring alignment with company-wide sustainability and efficiency goals.
Competitive salaries for TPM/Maintenance Managers in Topeka typically range from $85,000 to $110,000 annually, reflecting experience and industry expertise. Those with strong leadership and technical skills in maintenance management can command compensation near the upper end of this scale.
Topeka offers a close-knit industrial community where collaboration and long-term team development are highly valued. The pace is steady but allows for deeper engagement with operational challenges, fostering a culture that emphasizes safety, reliability, and continuous improvement without the high-pressure environment of bigger cities.
While regional maintenance roles exist, Topeka’s market leans toward facility-specific leadership like TPM/Maintenance Managers to support strong local plants. This focus means job seekers should highlight hands-on leadership and technical expertise tailored to single-site operational excellence.
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