How to hire a plant maintenance manager

How to hire a plant maintenance manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step plant maintenance manager hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a plant maintenance manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new plant maintenance manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a plant maintenance manager do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your plant maintenance manager job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a plant maintenance manager for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A plant maintenance manager's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, plant maintenance managers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of plant maintenance manager salaries for various roles:

   Type of Plant Maintenance Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Plant Maintenance Manager	Architectural and engineering managers plan, direct, and coordinate activities in architectural and engineering companies.	$34-65
   Research And Development Director	A research and development director spearheads and oversees the research and development initiatives and projects in a company. It is their duty to set goals and guidelines, establish timelines and budgets, direct and manage different departments, liaise with internal and external parties, gather and analyze data to implement solutions against problem areas, and utilize expertise in developing strategies to optimize company operations... Show more	$45-96
   Engineering Supervisor	An engineering supervisor is responsible for monitoring the engineering operations of an organization, developing strategic processes and techniques to improve staff's performance, and facilitating training and programs to maximize productivity. Engineering supervisors evaluate technology procedures and reports to identify and design new opportunities that would generate more resources for revenues and profits... Show more	$34-62

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Plant Maintenance
   • Continuous Improvement
   • Plant Equipment
   • Parts Inventory
   • HVAC
   • Plumbing
   • Electrical Systems
   • OSHA
   • Lean Manufacturing
   • Project Management
   • Safety Program
   • CMMS
   • PLC
   • Production Equipment

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead a team of union and non-union employees from electricians, HVAC, grounds, security and transportation staff.
   • Create a preventative maintenance schedule for all HVAC, mechanical, electrical and plumbing equipment as well as irrigation systems.
   • Maintain compliance with FDA, OSHA, EPA, and other regulatory agencies.
   • Conduct safety training and guide maintenance team in safe operating practices in accordance with OSHA standards.
   • Task also include development, implementation and oversight of the budget, coordination of facility for outside/inside decor of buildings.
   • Perform facility tool and system PMs according to manufacturing and internal specifications.

   More plant maintenance manager duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your plant maintenance manager job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A plant maintenance manager salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, plant maintenance managers' average salary in missouri is 47% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level plant maintenance managers earn 48% less than senior-level plant maintenance managers.
   • Certifications. A plant maintenance manager with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a plant maintenance manager's salary.

   Average plant maintenance manager salary

   $98,762yearly

   $47.48 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level plant maintenance manager salary

   $71,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 24, 2026

   Average plant maintenance manager salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$152,019	$73
   2	Oregon	$107,824	$52
   3	Texas	$99,186	$48
   4	Illinois	$93,806	$45
   5	New York	$91,649	$44
   6	North Carolina	$91,523	$44
   7	Arkansas	$91,364	$44
   8	Rhode Island	$85,402	$41
   9	Florida	$84,337	$41
   10	Pennsylvania	$83,862	$40
   11	South Carolina	$77,948	$37
   12	Iowa	$77,506	$37
   13	Oklahoma	$77,016	$37
   14	Georgia	$76,898	$37
   15	Tennessee	$75,133	$36

   Average plant maintenance manager salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Pacifi	$119,268	$57.34	5
   2	General Electric	$103,240	$49.63	23
   3	American Axle & Manufacturing	$96,903	$46.59	5
   4	Aramark	$95,428	$45.88	35
   5	New York University	$94,690	$45.52	3
   6	Covanta	$93,245	$44.83
   7	Accenture	$91,539	$44.01	27
   8	Allied Reliability	$90,972	$43.74	2
   9	GPAC	$90,442	$43.48
   10	Freeport-McMoRan	$89,373	$42.97	3
   11	Bison Gear & Engineering	$89,019	$42.80
   12	Vulcan Materials	$87,675	$42.15	51
   13	O-I Glass	$85,902	$41.30
   14	Mack Group	$83,612	$40.20
   15	Stericycle	$83,073	$39.94	3
   16	Pactiv	$80,856	$38.87	11
   17	AmeriPride Services	$78,352	$37.67
   18	The Lauren Corporation	$69,658	$33.49
   19	Healthtrax	$62,680	$30.13	1
   20	Tyson Foods	$56,097	$26.97	63

4. Writing a plant maintenance manager job description

   A plant maintenance manager job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a plant maintenance manager job description:

   Plant maintenance manager job description example

   Primary responsibility is performing and/or overseeing maintenance on all plant machinery (compressed air system, heat reclaimer, boiler, HVAC, water softener, electrical systems etc). Manage a staff of maintenance mechanics. Utilize proper skilled techniques to assure the safe, efficient operation of all plant machinery. Responsible for the timeliness and accuracy of all necessary reports and paperwork. Document all work performed.
   • Responsibilities/Essential Functions:
   
   Recruit, select, hire, develop and educate Maintenance Technicians. Coach to improve performance. Hold technicians accountable for meeting goals established by the Market Center; Create time effective work schedules; Maintain / Repair or replace equipment when necessary and perform basic plumbing, mechanical, and electrical and building repair work when necessary; Order necessary parts, tools, equipment, etc. in a timely manner by following company policies; Maintain a complement of critical spares on the shelf for plant equipment and maintain parts inventory (quantity and value matches with the records); Perform root cause analysis for any abnormal conditions/ failures, take required corrective and preventive actions to prevent recurrence of such conditions; Track utility consumption data, prepare reports and circulate it for management review, propose/ implement corrective actions or solutions to control these costs; Communicate and co-ordinate with the equipment suppliers to resolve plant equipment related issues; Maintain satisfactory Market Center targets for cost controls and downtime; Create and implement preventive maintenance schedule in accordance with the equipment manufacturer's recommendation/ industry accepted best practices for all plant equipment; Support an environment of continuous improvement by making/implementing suggestions; Drive company Action Plans and hold the mechanics accountable for executing against those plans; Maintain close coordination with production department to resolve equipment breakdowns and other production related opportunities; Through implementation and execution of company safety initiatives, create an environment where safety is a primary concern. Maintain compliance with all Federal, State and Local laws and regulation that affect Market Center operations; Perform other duties as required or assigned by management.
   
   • Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
   
   Displays mechanical and electrical aptitude; Possesses basic knowledge of required codes; Displays process driven mentality; Displays ability to plan pro-actively and adhere to a schedule; Proficiency in Microsoft Office; Basic knowledge of Inverter drives, controllers, AC or DC power supplies; Ability to read electrical wiring diagrams, control logic and mechanical drawings.
   
   • Working Environment/Safety Requirements:
   
   Must be able to routinely lift and maneuver a minimum of 25 pounds and load/unload product from truck without assistance. Must be able to stand for extended periods of time on concrete floor; Must be able to occasionally lift and maneuver 50+ pounds; Exposure to adverse and varying weather conditions which may include extremely hot/cold temperatures; Fast-paced environment requiring irregular and long hours.
   
   • Experience:
   
   Minimum of 5 years of maintenance work experience; 2 years of prior management experience is preferred.
   
   • Travel Requirements:
   
   • Education:
   
   Two-year college degree or equivalent experience preferred.
   
   • License Requirements/ Certifications:
   
   Must possess current and valid driver's license.
   
   Miami, FL
   
   Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
   
   The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)
   
   Connect With Us!
   
   Not ready to apply? Connect with us for general consideration.
   
   Interested in this opportunity?
   
   ARAMARK is an EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION employer - Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran
   
   Aramark will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance ordinance.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find plant maintenance managers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any plant maintenance managers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level plant maintenance managers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your plant maintenance manager job on Zippia to find and recruit plant maintenance manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with plant maintenance manager candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new plant maintenance manager

   Once you've decided on a perfect plant maintenance manager candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a plant maintenance manager?