The Maintenance Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, and leading preventive and corrective maintenance programs for a network of three (3) biotech pilot manufacturing facilities. This role provides enterprise-level maintenance leadership while maintaining direct operational ownership at the Maple Grove pilot facility.
During the construction and startup phases of the pilot plants, the Maintenance Manager will play a critical role in configuring and deploying the maintenance management system, establishing standardized maintenance processes, asset hierarchies, KPIs, and work execution practices across all sites. Following startup, the Maintenance Manager will ensure ongoing maintenance excellence, asset reliability, cost control, and safe work execution across the network.
This role requires a strong hands-on technical foundation, proven leadership capability, and a demonstrated commitment to safety, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
Maintenance Systems & Program Development
- Lead the configuration and deployment of the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) or equivalent maintenance software across all three pilot plants
- Establish standardized:
- Preventive maintenance (PM) strategies and task libraries
- Asset hierarchies and equipment records
- Work request and work order processes
- Maintenance KPIs and performance reporting
- Work closely with the maintenance software vendor to ensure the system supports pilot plant operations, startup, and future growth
- Ensure all new assets and equipment installed post-startup are properly configured within the maintenance system, including PMs, spare parts, and documentation
Maintenance Operations & Leadership
- Directly manage and oversee the maintenance team at Maple Grove, including: Mechanical technicians, Instrumentation technicians, Electrical technicians
- Provide functional leadership to Maintenance Planners at the other two pilot plants
- Coordinate and manage external contractors and service providers for specialized maintenance, repairs, and outages as appropriate
- Ensure maintenance activities are executed efficiently, safely, and in compliance with site requirements
Reliability & Continuous Improvement
- Monitor equipment performance and maintenance history to identify repeated or premature failures
- Conduct failure analysis and root cause investigations for equipment with higher-than-desired failure frequency
- Develop and implement strategies to improve reliability, including: PM optimization, component upgrades, spare parts strategy adjustments, vendor engagement
- Drive continuous improvement in maintenance effectiveness and asset availability
Spare Parts & Inventory Management
- Establish and maintain spare parts inventory levels appropriate to support preventive and corrective maintenance activities
- Balance equipment reliability needs with cost control
- Ensure spare parts data is properly managed within the maintenance system
Budget & Financial Management
- Develop, manage, and control the maintenance budget for the pilot plant network
- Track maintenance costs, contractor spend, and material usage
- Identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining safety and reliability standard
Safety & Compliance
- Demonstrate and reinforce a strong personal and professional safety record
- Actively support and promote a “Zero Harm” safety culture
- Ensure maintenance work (including contractor work) is planned and executed safely
- Require routine use of Job Safety Analysis (JSA) to plan maintenance tasks
- Stop work when unsafe conditions or behaviors are identified
- Ensure maintenance activities comply with site safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work collaboratively with: Operations, Quality and Microbiology, EHS, Engineering, Logistics and Supply Chain
- Support pilot plant objectives by aligning maintenance activities with production schedules, testing campaigns, and client deliverables
- Communicate clearly and professionally across departments and sites
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Maintenance Management, Industrial Technology, or a related technical field or equivalent experience
- Minimum 8–10 years of progressive maintenance experience in industrial, biotech, pharmaceutical, chemical, or pilot plant environments
- Proven experience implementing or administering a CMMS or maintenance management system
- Demonstrated leadership experience managing technical teams and contractors
- Strong understanding of: Preventive and predictive maintenance; Mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation systems; Maintenance planning and scheduling
- Strong safety mindset with demonstrated commitment to safe work practices
- Excellent communication and collaboration skill
Preferred
- Experience supporting pilot plants, process development facilities, or multi-site operations
- Reliability engineering or asset management experience
- Familiarity with regulated manufacturing environments
- Experience with construction-to-startup transitions
- Formal training in root cause analysis methodologies
Hybrid Work Statement
BioMADE offers flexible (hybrid) work options based on business roles and needs. Employees are expected to work 3 days in the office environment and 2 days remotely. During the construction phase of the pilot facility, this position may follow a hybrid schedule. As the Maple Grove facility approaches completion the Maintenance Manager position will transition from the BioMADE Minneapolis office to the Maple Grove site and will work fully on-site.
Job Benefits
BioMADE provides a comprehensive suite of health insurances, supplemental benefits, and paid time off to all regular full-time employees as outlined below. Additional benefits include:
- 100% employer-paid options for medical, dental, and vision
- Paid time off that accrues from your hire date
- 13 paid holidays, including a winter closure between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day
- Hybrid work policy for most positions; stipend for internet and personal phone use
- 401(k) retirement plan with up to 6% match on compensation (no vesting period!)
- Discretionary Incentive Plan based on organizational and individual performance
- 100% employer-paid short-term disability and life insurance
- Paid parental leave
- Section 125 Flexible Spending Plan for medical and dependent care
- Commuter pre-tax benefit
- Full access to LinkedIn Learning’s suite for professional development
- Free parking, casual dress code, free snacks and beverages, and on-site gym access at both offices
- Fun on and off-site employee activities sponsored by the Employee Engagement Committee
- And much more
We nurture merit, talent, and achievement by supporting equal opportunity and welcome people of all backgrounds and beliefs to join us in our mission to enable domestic bioindustrial manufacturing at all scales.