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For more than 115 years, Ferrara has created sugar confections that enable moments of sweetness, celebration, and connection for candy lovers of all generations. Today, the company is the #1 sugar confectioner in the United States. Ferrara boasts a passionate team of nearly 9,000 employees creating and delivering hundreds of products sold under 20 popular brands like Brach’s®, NERDS®, SweeTARTS®, Laffy Taffy®, and Trolli® to more than 66 million U.S. households annually and popular Dori snacking products under brands such as Dori, Gomets, Pettiz, and Yogurte 100 in Brazil. Additionally, Jelly Belly, known world-wide for its confections, was acquired in November of 2023.

Maintenance Manager

Job Location: Itasca

Want to make an impact?

The Maintenance Manager provides technical direction and leadership to the maintenance group and supporting functions. Role ensures that the facilities, layout and machinery used to produce new and existing materials and goods run to their maximum efficiency and output. The key being asset reliability and overall plant performance.

Ways you will make a difference

Lead the site Maintenance function in providing both a reactive and proactive, multi-skilled maintenance service on all operational equipment and facilities infrastructure.

• Responsible for planned scheduling creation and overseeing the adherence and timely completion of work carried out

• Increase the site operational effectiveness; improve on project delivery, downtime reduction, and driving other maintenance Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) as assigned.

• Manage the team on technical best practice and establish standard policies and procedures whilst mentoring and leading the department.

• Implement and manage continuous improvement and modern manufacturing principals by highlighting deficiencies and recommending changes in training, working practices and processes. This would include, but not limited to TPM (Total Productive Maintenance).

• Define, propose and monitor the maintenance improvement plans and objectives as established in the annual strategic plan.

• Propose and implement work processes, procedures and technical resources related to improving equipment reliability

• Maintain competencies, motivation and performance to achieve the site targets and objectives.

• Propose, prioritize, and control the repair and maintenance (R&M) budget.

• Ensure that there exists within the maintenance team an attitude of absolute intolerance for unsafe situations. That all team members are encouraged never to implement any change, whether directly instructed to, or under his/her own initiative, without first questioning its impact in relation to product safety/quality, people safety and the environment. No compromises should be tolerated.

• Build successful interaction between production, quality, sanitation and warehouse teams in equipment repairs and maintenance. • Ensure that the technical integrity and availability of equipment complies with all regulations.

• Any other tasks assigned by the Factory Manager

Skills that will make you successful

Leadership Framework:

In order to accomplish this task, the Maintenance Manager must be skilled at empowering, motivating and developing the capabilities of site maintenance personnel.

Key leadership traits would include:

Inspiring People

• Lead people by actively practicing and demonstrating Ferrara principles and values.

• Develop maintenance personnel through coaching and training. Working with others

• Proactive cooperation with others through commitment and group objectives and understanding the needs of others and adapting one’s own priorities when appropriate.

• Impact/convince others to commit to company’s interest.

Adding Value

• Results focused. Drive performance objectives and safety/quality standards to deliver the best business results

• Innovation/Renovation. Drive for improvement with new ideas to operate more efficiently.

• Anticipate future issues by taking initiative and acting in a pro-active way. Opening Up

• Know yourself. Understand your strengths and weaknesses and their effect on personal development and effectiveness in the organization.

• Service oriented towards manufacturing expectations and needs. Provide high quality service and build relationships.

• Curiosity to learn more.

• Courage to take decisions while understanding the risks and consequences. • Insight to explain the consequences of different scenarios.

Experiences that will support your success

Education:

BS degree or related fieldwork experience. Mechanical or Electrical Engineering degree preferred o Minimum of 3 years of supervisory/managerial experience in technical field; food manufacturing with maintenance responsibilities preferred

Experience:

Exposure to implementing continuous improvement, employee involvement techniques, and change management. o In-depth knowledge of equipment maintenance and technology.

o Applicable maintenance techniques and systems

o Knowledge of food safety, regulatory requirements for food safety

o General understanding of financial analysis, budget reports and relevant business drivers.

Skills:

o Strong written and verbal communication skills, along with problem solving / trouble shootings skills are essential.

o Demonstrated leadership abilities and interpersonal skills

o Must be proficient in standard computer applications including Excel and PowerPoint.

o Strong organization and multi-tasking skills – ability to balance and prioritize several projects simultaneously

Ferrara’s success in industry-leading innovation has been driven by deep consumer insights, strong retailer co-creation and partnerships, and a dedication to diversity of thought, experience, and people. A privately held company, Ferrara has its global headquarters in Chicago and an operational network of more than 27 locations in North America, Brazil, and China that includes manufacturing, distribution, sales, and R&D facilities. Ferrara is a privately held Ferrero related company. Learn more at www.ferrara.com or www.linkedin.com/company/ferrara-.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, employment decisions and opportunities at Ferrara will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital or civil union status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, military or veteran status, disability, handicap, genetic information, pregnancy (childbirth or related medical condition), or on any other basis prohibited by law. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.