Maintenance Manager - Chemical Plant

Maintenance Manager - Chemical Manufacturing

A well-established specialty chemical manufacturing organization is seeking a Maintenance Manager to lead maintenance operations across two North Carolina production facilities. This role is responsible for developing and executing long-term maintenance strategies that improve equipment reliability, reduce downtime, and support safe, efficient plant operations.

This is a hands-on leadership role for a maintenance professional who enjoys being close to the plant, troubleshooting complex equipment issues, and driving continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support daily maintenance operations across multiple manufacturing sites

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve preventive and predictive maintenance programs

• Drive equipment reliability and reduce unplanned downtime

• Provide hands-on technical leadership for batch chemical reactor systems (glass-lined and stainless steel)

• Oversee plant utilities including steam boilers and hot oil heating systems

• Support and manage CAPEX projects, upgrades, and equipment installations

• Establish, monitor, and improve maintenance KPIs using data-driven decision making

• Utilize CMMS systems (SAP preferred) to build a world-class maintenance organization

• Prepare and manage maintenance budgets; optimize resources and control costs

• Lead and develop maintenance teams; manage contractors and vendor service agreements

• Ensure compliance with OSHA, safety, environmental, and regulatory standards

• Partner closely with operations and plant leadership to improve overall plant performance

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in maintenance management within a manufacturing environment

• Strong background in chemical or batch manufacturing

• Experience with batch reactor systems (glass-lined and stainless)

• Hands-on knowledge of mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and utilities

• Experience with steam boilers, hot oil systems, rotating equipment, piping, and welding

• Proven ability to troubleshoot complex equipment and process issues

• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills

• Experience managing budgets, contractors, and capital projects

• Working knowledge of CMMS systems (SAP preferred)

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Chemical, or Electrical Engineering

• Multi-site maintenance leadership experience

• Reliability or maintenance excellence initiatives experience

Why This Role

• High-visibility role with real ownership of maintenance performance

• Opportunity to make lasting improvements across multiple plants

• Balance of strategic leadership and hands-on technical involvement

• Stable, established manufacturing environment with long-term growth focus

Oscar Associates Limited (US) is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.