Ice Cream Maintenance Supervisor

Lead and develop a high-performing maintenance team to ensure equipment reliability, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement in a 24/7 food manufacturing environment.  Champion continuous improvement methodologies to drive operational excellence and support Ben & Jerry’s social, product, and economic missions.  A key focus of this role is achieving high OTIF (On Time In Full) performance for Preventive Maintenance tasks, ensuring maintenance activities are completed as scheduled to maximize machine efficiency, reliability, and production readiness.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Development

• Supervise Mechanical & Electrical Technicians, Stockroom Attendants, and Maintenance Planners.

• Develop shift structures, vacation schedules, succession plans, and training programs.

• Conduct recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, and skill gap analysis (Skill Matrix).

• Spend 75% of time on the shop floor (6/2 rule) to coach and guide technicians.

Maintenance Operations

• Plan and execute preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance using CMMS.

• Ensure completion of PMs, F-tags, and AM tasks with quality and timeliness.

• Validate Autonomous Maintenance standards and partner with FLMs for compliance.

• Lead root cause analysis and execute EWOs for breakdowns >4 hours.

• Maintain 5S standards in maintenance areas and storerooms.

Continuous Improvement & Projects

• Champion continuous improvement initiatives across maintenance operations.

• Identify and implement cost-saving strategies and low-cost maintenance solutions.

• Collaborate with Engineering on innovation projects, line modifications, and new installations.

• Document Maintenance Improvements and communicate with Engineering.

• Lead projects including rebuilds, upgrades, and new equipment installations.

Compliance & Safety

• Ensure adherence to OSHA, HACCP, FDA, PSM, and other regulatory standards.

• Train new hires on certified safety procedures and SHE policies.

• Investigate incidents and implement CAPAs.

• Ensure MOC compliance for equipment changes impacting food safety.

Systems & Budget Management

• Track labor costs, overtime, and absences via Kronos.

• Maintain accurate maintenance records and logs.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Align with Production, Quality, and Engineering teams to optimize downtime usage.

• Coordinate maintenance activities during product trials, commissioning, and seasonal shifts.

• Support site security and vendor management.

QualificationsRequired

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering (or equivalent experience).

• 3–5 years of industrial maintenance experience, preferably in food manufacturing.

• Proven supervisory experience in a unionized environment.

• Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills.

• Proficiency in CMMS, Microsoft Office, and maintenance analytics.

Preferred

• Certifications: CMRP, Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing.

• Experience with sanitary design, HACCP, and food-grade maintenance practices.

• Familiarity with predictive maintenance technologies (vibration, thermal, ultrasonic).

Work Environment

• 24/7 manufacturing operation requiring flexibility across shifts.

• Frequent time on the shop floor with exposure to factory conditions.

• Use of PPE and compliance with safety protocols required.

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Unilever is an organization committed to diversity and inclusion to drive our business results and create a better future every day for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal law and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. 

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If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please contact us at NA.Accommodations@unilever.com. Please note: This email is reserved for individuals with disabilities in need of assistance and is not a means of inquiry about positions or application statuses. The Protected Veterans or Individuals with Disabilities AAP narratives are available for inspection by any employee or applicant for employment Monday through Friday during normal business hours at establishment.

At Unilever, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. We welcome applicants from all walks of life and are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive/succeed. All applicants will receive fair and respectful consideration, and we actively support the growth and development of every employee.

Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities.

For more information on your federal rights, please see Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.

If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please contact us at NA.Accommodations@unilever.com. Please note: This email is reserved for individuals with disabilities in need of assistance and is not a means of inquiry about positions or application statuses.