Position: Maintenance Manager - Packaging
Location: Tupelo, MS
Division: Corrugated
The Opportunity:
The Maintenance Manager is responsible for providing expertise and leadership to the service and maintenance staff while
ensuring the safe maintenance, repair or replacement of plant assets. The Maintenance Manager is
also responsible for driving continuous improvement of plant operations to enable efficient, high-quality production of
customer products.
This position is located onsite at the Tupelo, MS Corrugated Container facility.
How you will impact :
• Provide strategic leadership on maintenance operations to ensure maximum production.
• Develop and implement the short- and long-term maintenance strategy to enable operating efficiency in alignment
with company's values.
• Create Maintenance Department safety goals and plan to ensure a safe work environment.
• Create an effective Plant Maintenance Program using industry best practices to maximize equipment reliability and
uptime.
• Supervise and inspect maintenance work to ensure the most effective, efficient and up to date technology and
preferred maintenance practices are implemented by craftsmen.
• Manage and analyze maintenance department KPIs to assess operating efficiency and identify opportunities to
drive performance excellence.
• Monitor and communicate departmental performance in Safety, Environmental, Reliability, and cost effectiveness.
• Provide guidance in the development of the maintenance business plan and forecasts.
• Lead maintenance staff to exceed industry standards and set new industry uptime and reliability standards.
• Serve as a member of the Plant Leadership Team to align on Plant goals and standards and collaborate on
organizational effectiveness.
• Negotiate using win-win strategies on behalf of company with the Labor Union representatives on contract
issues.
• Ensure a safe work environment and adherence to all corporate, state and federal safety, health and
environmental policies, procedures and regulations by all maintenance staff.
• Foster a culture of care that promotes active participation and buy-in for safety and maintenance reliability from
craftsmen.
• Ensure maintenance staff is adequately trained and motivated to achieve departmental objectives in a safe, timely,
and cost-effective manner.
• Leads and motivates a team of people to achieve performance excellence; ability to read people and situations and
adjust approach; accordingly, proactively leads and enforces initiatives that drive organizational effectiveness;
teaches others how to build trust-based relationships.
• Uses strong problem-solving skills and supporting information to arrive at optimal decisions in an appropriate
timeframe; knows when to decide and/or when to seek additional input, and drive for consensus.
What you need to succeed:
• 2-year technical degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Industrial Engineering - Required
• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical and/or Mechanical Engineering - Preferred
• 10+ years of maintenance experience in a supervisory/management role in manufacturing – Required,
Corrugated Packaging Preferred.
• Proficient with various software packages such as Microsoft Office - Excel, Outlook, JDE, PLC / DCS or similar
CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System.
What we offer:
• Corporate culture based on integrity, respect, accountability, and excellence.
• Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities.
• An attractive salary reflecting skills, competencies, and potential.
• Benefits package to include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401k with match, tuition reimbursement,
employee discounts, employee referral bonus, and much more!
• A career with a global packaging company where Sustainability, Safety and Inclusion are business drivers and
foundational elements of the daily work.
Freqently Asked Questions
Maintenance managers around Okolona, MS focus heavily on preventive maintenance and real-time monitoring to reduce downtime. They implement tailored programs ensuring plant assets in manufacturing environments like packaging remain operational, leveraging best practices adapted to local workforce skills and resource availability.
Yes, the manufacturing industry in Tupelo and nearby Okolona shows steady demand for experienced maintenance managers. Facilities specializing in corrugated packaging value leaders who can drive operational efficiency and safety, making this region competitive but promising for skilled maintenance professionals.
A strong candidate usually holds a technical degree in electrical, mechanical, or industrial engineering, paired with over a decade of supervisory experience in manufacturing maintenance. Familiarity with CMMS software and leadership skills are essential to oversee complex maintenance operations effectively.
Maintenance Managers typically strategize and lead entire maintenance departments, focusing on KPI analysis, safety culture, and continuous improvement. Supervisors are more involved with day-to-day task delegation and hands-on oversight. The manager role demands broader operational insight and cross-functional collaboration.
Advancing to a Maintenance Manager position opens avenues toward senior leadership like Maintenance Director. It requires honing strategic planning, team leadership, and contract negotiation skills. This progression often involves managing larger teams and influencing plant-wide performance excellence.
Affinity Search fosters a culture emphasizing integrity, respect, and continuous learning. Maintenance Managers benefit from comprehensive training programs, development opportunities, and a supportive environment prioritizing safety and sustainability within the packaging industry.
Managing maintenance at this facility involves balancing high uptime standards with safety compliance and labor union negotiations. The manager must implement cutting-edge maintenance programs while fostering a motivated workforce within a fast-paced production environment.
Maintenance Managers in Tupelo, MS typically earn between $80,000 and $100,000 annually, depending on experience and specific industry expertise. Packaging companies often offer competitive benefits and incentives to attract candidates skilled in equipment reliability and leadership.
Well-structured maintenance programs reduce unexpected breakdowns and optimize equipment uptime, directly enhancing production throughput. Managers tailor these programs using industry best practices, ensuring that maintenance activities align with operational goals and safety standards.
Yes, Maintenance Managers frequently use CMMS platforms alongside Microsoft Office tools like Excel and Outlook for scheduling, tracking KPIs, and reporting. Familiarity with PLC/DCS systems also supports effective equipment troubleshooting and maintenance planning.
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