Maintenance Manager (Bakery Food Production Factory)

About the Maintenance Manager Role

We are seeking a highly experienced Maintenance Manager to lead and manage all maintenance and reliability operations for fully automated bakery production lines. This full-time position is based in Jiddah, Makkah, Saudi Arabia, within a large-scale FMCG or food manufacturing plant. The role involves overseeing a multidisciplinary team, ensuring compliance with stringent safety and food standards, and driving continuous improvement initiatives across production processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance for fully automated bakery production lines, including mixing, proofing, baking ovens, slicing, packaging, and palletizing systems.
• Ensure high equipment availability and minimal downtime through effective maintenance planning and execution strategies.
• Implement and champion reliability-centered maintenance (RCM) and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) practices.
• Analyze breakdown data, conduct root cause analysis (RCA), and implement effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Drive initiatives for energy efficiency, process optimization, and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) improvement.

Automation and Technical Systems Management

• Manage the maintenance of complex industrial control systems, including PLC, SCADA, HMI, servo drives, and robotics.
• Troubleshoot intricate electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems to resolve operational issues.
• Coordinate effectively with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and automation vendors for advanced diagnostics, system upgrades, and new line commissioning.
• Support the commissioning of new production lines, factory expansions, and system upgrades.

Team Leadership and Operational Compliance

• Lead, coach, and develop a multidisciplinary maintenance team comprising mechanical, electrical, and automation technicians.
• Prepare shift schedules, manage manpower planning, and conduct performance evaluations for team members.
• Promote and enforce a strong safety-first culture, including LOTO procedures and risk assessments.
• Ensure strict compliance with Saudi regulations, food safety standards (HACCP, ISO 22000, BRCGS), and HSE requirements.
• Maintain accurate documentation for all audits and inspections.
• Prepare and manage the maintenance budget, optimize spare parts inventory, and oversee annual shutdown plans.
• Evaluate Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) proposals for equipment upgrades and modernization projects.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, or Industrial Engineering.
• Minimum of 8–12 years of progressive maintenance experience within large-scale FMCG or food manufacturing plants.
• At least 4–5 years in a managerial or leadership role within maintenance.
• Strong experience with automated bakery or high-speed food production lines is highly preferred.
• Previous experience in the GCC region or Saudi Arabia is considered an advantage.

Work Environment

This is a full-time position within a dynamic food production environment in Jiddah, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The role requires a proactive approach to maintaining operational excellence and leading a dedicated team.