Maintenance Manager in Essex

Reports to: Head of Farms Operations

Based at: Kingsville, ON

Type of Employment: Full-Time, permanent, 5-6 days a week to a minimum of 40 hrs./wk. Additional hours may include Saturdays, depending on workload and priorities.

Grow Your Career with Mucci Farms! At Mucci Farms, we don’t just grow produce—we grow innovation, sustainability, and careers. As a leader in greenhouse-grown fruits and vegetables, we are committed to delivering premium quality products while investing in advanced technology, people, and processes.

The Maintenance Manager is responsible for overseeing all maintenance operations across greenhouse, packhouse, and facility environments. This role ensures optimal equipment reliability, infrastructure performance, and operational uptime while maintaining a safe, compliant, and cost-effective maintenance program. The position leads a team of maintenance supervisors and technicians across Mucci Farm locations and supports continuous improvement initiatives aligned with production goals.

Job Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Lead and manage all preventative and corrective maintenance initiatives across greenhouses, packhouse, and other facilities.
• Leads a team of Maintenance Supervisors and Maintenance Technicians across all local operations.
• Develop and execute maintenance strategies to minimize downtime and maximize equipment efficiency.
• Ensure all mechanical, electrical, HVAC, irrigation, and automation systems operate in a safe and reliable manner.
• Oversee troubleshooting and resolution of equipment failures in a timely manner.
• Manage third-party contractors and service providers.
• Champion the use of preventative maintenance software to ensure tracking of inventory, turnaround time and project completions.
• Direct maintenance activities related to facility and equipment repair and installation.
• Communicates daily with operations personnel to prioritize maintenance activities and escalates issues as required.
• Coordinates work of outside contractors and ensures that the facility operates in a safe and efficient manner providing the best cost reduction solutions.
• Maintain PM schedule that ensures machine reliability and coordination with production schedule needs.
• Ensures that all maintenance documentation is correctly completed and updated regularly.

Greenhouse Systems Responsibilities:

• Maintain and optimize greenhouse climate control systems (heating, cooling, CO₂, lighting).
• Ensure irrigation, fertigation, and water systems are functioning efficiently and sustainably.
• Support crop production teams by ensuring environmental systems meet operational requirements.
• Monitor and maintain automation systems (climate control software, sensors, control panels).

Packhouse Equipment & Automation:

• Oversee maintenance of packaging lines, conveyors, grading/sorting equipment, and robotics.
• Ensure all equipment meets food safety standards and is audit-ready.
• Support continuous improvement projects to enhance throughput and efficiency.
• Collaborate with production to minimize disruptions and maintain schedule adherence.
• Participates in new equipment purchases and responsible for the coordination of "Pre-Start Review" on all new equipment.
• Communicates and coordinates with other departments and vendors with regards to all maintenance issues and reports maintenance or equipment related concerns to Management.
• Hires, trains, develops and mentors maintenance team to ensure a productive, efficient and competent workforce to meet scheduled requirements in a safe environment.
• Responsible for ensuring all training and SOPs are completed within the department.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Post Secondary education in mechanical or engineering technology (diploma or degree), coupled with a Millwright and/or Electrician license (or equivalent) is considered an asset.
• Minimum of 5 years progressive experience and responsibility in plant maintenance.
• Minimum of two years in a supervisory role is required.
• Must be a champion in CMMS (Eptura) type software.
• Solid troubleshooting and problem-solving skills and experience with preventative (predictive) maintenance is required.
• Progressive approach to maintenance and process improvement driven.
• Ability to prioritize, plan and schedule work effectively with a production team in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and working knowledge of electrical and mechanical systems and standards.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and work independently.
• TPM experience, HVAC, Electrical and Plumbing experience would be an asset.
• Experience working with PLC, Hydraulics and Pneumatics would be an asset.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong knowledge of Windows and MS Office suite.
• Knowledgeable of Ontario Health and Safety Act (OHSA) regulations.

Physical Abilities:

• Must be able to sit, stand, and/or walk for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with body, arms, and/or legs.
• Must be able to lift material regularly up to 14 kg / 30 lbs; and occasionally up to 23 kg / 50lbs.
• Must be able to climb stairs and stand on feet for an extended period of time.
• Must be able to work in a temperature-controlled environment of approximately 13 ˚C / 55 ˚F to 21-31°C (70-86°F).

Job Requirements:

The incumbent will be committed to customer service excellence and leading by example. A positive attitude in the workplace is required as is the ability to adhere to all human resources, operational and food and health safety policies and procedures.

Note: This description is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties. Responsibilities, tasks, and duties of the jobholder might differ from those outlined and other duties may be assigned.

Mucci welcomes and encourages applications with disabilities to apply. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. If you require a specific accommodation due to a disability or documented medical need, please contact the Human Resource Department so that arrangements can be made for the appropriate accommodation. Mucci is achieving a culture and work environment that is supportive of employees with disabilities and promotes dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity.