Maintenance Manager

Job Title: Maintenance Manager Location: Chicago, IL (Greater Metro Area) Industry: Closed Die Forging Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt Position Overview Our client is seeking a seasoned Maintenance Manager to lead their maintenance department in a high-intensity, closed die forging environment. You will be responsible for the uptime, reliability, and safety of heavy industrial equipment, including mechanical forging presses, hammers, and heat treat furnaces. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader who thrives in a heavy manufacturing environment and understands the unique mechanical stresses inherent in the forging process. Key Responsibilities Asset Management: Oversee the repair and preventive maintenance (PM) of all production machinery, including forging hammers, mechanical presses, and heat treat furnaces. Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement a robust predictive maintenance program to minimize unplanned downtime. Team Supervision: Manage, train, and mentor a team of multi-skilled maintenance technicians (mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic). Infrastructure: Maintain facility systems including air compressors, cooling towers, and material handling equipment. Safety & Compliance: Ensure all maintenance activities comply with OSHA standards and environmental regulations. Budgeting: Manage the department budget, spare parts inventory, and capital expenditure (CapEx) projects for equipment upgrades. Required Qualifications Industry Experience: Minimum 7–10 years of maintenance experience specifically within a forging or heavy industrial manufacturing environment. Equipment Mastery: Proven technical expertise with forging presses, hammers, and heat treat equipment is non-negotiable. Technical Skills: * Strong proficiency in industrial hydraulics and pneumatics. Knowledge of PLC troubleshooting (Allen Bradley/Siemens). Understanding of combustion systems and temperature controls for heat treat applications. Leadership: Experience managing union or non-union maintenance crews in a 24/7 or multi-shift operation. Education: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering OR equivalent journeyman-level experience with a strong track record of leadership. Physical & Work Environment This is a "boots-on-the-ground" role in a forging facility. Must be comfortable working around high heat, noise, and heavy vibration. Available for emergency on-call support as needed.