Manager, Maintenance

Job Summary:

The Maintenance Manager leads all aspects of facility maintenance to ensure operational continuity, equipment reliability, and a safe working environment. This role oversees preventive maintenance, inspections, calibrations, and repairs of equipment and tools, coordinating both internal teams and external vendors. The manager ensures high-quality execution, compliance, and documentation of all maintenance activities, supporting uninterrupted and efficient manufacturing operations.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead all maintenance operations to support stable production and ensure safe facility operations

• Manage comprehensive preventive and predictive maintenance program to maintain stable production

and prevent equipment failure.

• Supervise and train Maintenance Section staff, managing labor, development, safety, and performance

• Set departmental targets, assign responsibilities, and track progress using performance indicators

• Collaborate cross-functionally with all departments to resolve issues and support operational goals

promptly

• Respond quickly and effectively to equipment or facility abnormalities to minimize production impact

• Maintain and monitor the maintenance department budget, including labor and materials costs

• Drive continuous improvement through structured problem-solving and root cause analysis (e.g., 5 Whys,

FMEA)

• Manage spare parts inventory and asset tracking to support reliability and cost control

• Perform other duties as required to support operational and organizational goals

Required Education, Training, and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in maintenance within automotive manufacturing.
• 10+ years in automotive manufacturing
• 5+ years in a management role

Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

Deep knowledge of automotive manufacturing processes, production line systems, and facility

equipment (mechanical, electrical, HVAC, and power systems)

• Understanding of safety and environmental regulations, including OSHA, ISO9001, and

ISO14001

• Familiarity with Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) and preventive/predictive maintenance

strategies

• Experience with quality management systems and statistics-based quality methods

• Proficiency in manufacturing optimization tools and philosophies (e.g., TPS, Kaizen, 5S)

• Skilled in KPI tracking and implementation of PDCA and continuous improvement cycles

• Strong leadership, strategic thinking, team development, and cross-functional communication

skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and email communication platforms

Preferred Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

• Japanese language proficiency (daily or business conversation level preferred)

Physical Requirements:

Ability to work on-site in a manufacturing environment with exposure to noise, machinery,

and varying temperatures

• Ability to climb, bend, reach, stand for extended periods, or occasionally lift materials (up to 25lbs) as

needed for operational oversight.

• Comfortable wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety shoes, glasses, and hearing

protection in designated areas

• Must be available to work flexible hours as needed to support production needs

Management Accountabilities:

• Champions a culture of safety by ensuring all operations are conducted in full compliance with safety policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements. Promotes accountability and continuous improvement in safety practices at all levels.
• Interprets and executes policies that typically affect subordinate organizational units.
• Recommend modifications to operating policies.
• Responsible for managing staff function or heads a centralized functional activity.
• Accomplishes results through lower levels of supervision or through experienced exempt levels of employees who exercise significant latitude and independence in their assignments.
• Monitors work operations on a daily basis and actively assists, or provides direction to, subordinates as required.
• May perform, especially in staff or professional groups, ongoing tasks of organizational units.
• Frequent contacts with inter-organizational and outside customer representatives at various management levels concerning operations or scheduling of specific phases of projects or contracts.
• Conducts briefings and participates in technical meetings for internal and external representatives concerning specific operations.