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
Expertise in electrical and mechanical systems is vital for a Maintenance Manager in Tupelo’s packaging sector, especially when overseeing plant assets. Familiarity with PLC/DCS systems and computerized maintenance management (CMMS) software enhances equipment reliability and uptime, critical for continuous production efficiency.
Advancing in industrial maintenance management involves refining strategic planning, safety leadership, and team motivation skills. Experience with KPI analysis and continuous improvement initiatives often propels professionals toward senior roles, where overseeing broader operational efficiency and safety compliance becomes central.
While Maintenance Supervisors focus on daily crew oversight, a Maintenance Manager strategizes long-term maintenance plans, aligns department goals with company values, and negotiates labor contracts. Managers also analyze operational KPIs to drive performance excellence across the plant.
In Tupelo's manufacturing sector, certifications like OSHA 30-Hour, NFPA 70E (Electrical Safety), and Six Sigma are often preferred for maintenance leaders. These credentials demonstrate commitment to workplace safety and process optimization, aligning with regional regulatory expectations.
Affinity Search’s Tupelo site requires Maintenance Managers to balance high uptime targets with rigorous safety standards in a corrugated packaging environment. Navigating union negotiations and fostering a culture of safety and reliability add layers of complexity unique to this setting.
Affinity Search emphasizes continuous learning through comprehensive training and development programs. Maintenance Managers can benefit from exposure to industry best practices, leadership coaching, and opportunities to lead initiatives that advance plant operational excellence.
Maintenance Managers in Tupelo’s packaging sector typically earn between $85,000 and $110,000 annually, influenced by experience, technical qualifications, and supervisory scope. Affinity Search offers competitive compensation reflecting skills and potential along with a comprehensive benefits package.
Tupelo’s growing manufacturing base intensifies demand for seasoned Maintenance Managers skilled in both leadership and technical maintenance. The regional emphasis on manufacturing efficiency and safety drives competition, encouraging candidates to showcase both strategic and hands-on expertise.
Packaging Maintenance Managers often juggle rapid equipment turnaround with strict quality standards tied to customer products. Unlike heavy industry, this role demands acute attention to corrugated machinery uptime and adaptability to fast-paced production cycles typical in Tupelo.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel and Outlook, combined with experience in JDE ERP systems and CMMS platforms like PLC/DCS, is essential. These tools enable effective maintenance planning, data analysis, and communication critical for managing plant reliability.
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