Maintenance Superintendent

Maintenance Superintendent

Company Overview

Our client is a pioneer in the plastic value chain, leveraging proprietary technology to convert post-use plastic waste into high-quality feedstock for recycling. They provide customized solutions for brands and companies aiming to achieve their recycled content goals, actively supporting the development of a circular economy.

Their state-of-the-art advanced recycling facility, currently under construction in Houston, TX, will be one of the first large-scale facilities in the United States designed to process a diverse range of post-consumer, commercial, and industrial plastic waste. This innovative center will have the capacity to produce 300 million pounds of custom-formulated feedstock per year and convert it into ISCC-PLUS-certified feedstock suitable for mechanical and advanced recycling applications.

They are dedicated to operating safely and improving the recyclability of all plastics. Customers are at the core of their mission, and they strive to exceed expectations by understanding unique needs and delivering exceptional value. They uphold the highest standards of accountability and integrity in all operations.

The organization is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive work environment where every voice is valued. An open-door policy encourages employee engagement and feedback, promoting continuous improvement through collaboration and transparency. They believe that working together can drive meaningful change in the recycling landscape.

Role Overview

The Maintenance Superintendent role at this cutting-edge recycling center will require an established team leader with a proven track record of optimizing the asset utilization and uptime of material handling and processing facilities. The role also requires a person with an aptitude for:

• Building and leading teams
• Managing the equipment maintenance of a large, bulk material handling facility
• Flexing between leadership and individual contributor activities in support of standing up and operating the facility

This position requires a hands-on manager who regularly interacts with the operations team and has a keen eye towards process improvement and optimization.

During the mechanical completion and commissioning of the plant (scheduled to be operational in early 2026), the focus of this role will be on supporting the Plant Manager through the development of processes and systems that maintain optimal up-time for all plant equipment. In this leadership position, the role will be responsible for team building, personnel management (including goal setting and progression), training adherence, and improvement plans.

The Maintenance Superintendent will have prior experience in leading complex efforts, particularly in equipment reliability, and will ideally have prior experience with plastics recycling or bulk material processing and handling operations on an industrial scale.

The safety of all personnel is the highest priority. The Maintenance Superintendent is responsible for supporting and contributing to a strong safety culture that is evident in the plant's daily operations and EHS-related KPIs.

The Maintenance Superintendent has direct and substantial impact on the ability of the facility to meet its operational and financial goals.

Key ResponsibilitiesEquipment Maintenance and Reliability

1. Preventive Maintenance Program

• Develop and implement a comprehensive preventive maintenance program for all equipment, including equipment such as optical sorters, conveying equipment, shredders, pelletizers, and mobile equipment.
• Schedule regular inspections, lubrication, adjustments, and part replacements to prevent unexpected breakdowns.

2. Equipment Repair and Troubleshooting

• Oversee and coordinate repairs when equipment malfunctions, ensuring minimal downtime.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, and control issues to restore equipment functionality quickly.
• Read Process and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs) and apply them to operational equipment, including experience reading OEM manuals and documentation.

3. Condition Monitoring

• Use condition monitoring tools and techniques to track the performance of critical machinery.
• Administer systems to analyze data from sensors and diagnostic equipment to predict potential failures and address them proactively.

Team Management and Training

1. Staff Supervision

• Lead and supervise the maintenance teams, including hiring, training, and evaluating maintenance personnel.
• Schedule and assign work to maintenance staff, ensuring proper coverage for all shifts.

2. Training and Development

• Provide ongoing training for maintenance staff to ensure they are skilled in the latest maintenance techniques and safety practices.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and knowledge sharing within the team.

Inventory and Resource Management

1. Spare Parts, Tools and Consumables Inventory

• Manage spare parts inventory and supplies to ensure critical components are available when needed.
• Develop relationships with suppliers to ensure timely procurement of high-quality parts.

2. Resource Allocation

• Allocate resources effectively to balance maintenance needs with budget constraints.
• Prioritize maintenance tasks based on criticality and impact on production.

Process Improvement and Efficiency

1. Process Optimization

• Identify opportunities to improve maintenance processes and increase equipment reliability and efficiency.
• Implement best practices and innovative solutions to reduce maintenance costs and enhance equipment performance.

2. Root Cause Analysis

• Conduct root cause analysis of equipment failures to identify underlying issues and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Collaborate with operations and engineering teams to develop long-term solutions for chronic equipment problems.

Documentation and Reporting

1. Maintenance Records

• Maintain detailed records of all maintenance activities, including work orders, equipment histories, and maintenance schedules.
• Utilize computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) to track and document maintenance tasks and performance metrics.
• Create and establish processes with the ERP and CMMS as part of the initial plant commissioning.

2. Reporting

• Prepare and present regular reports on maintenance performance, including equipment uptime, maintenance costs, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Communicate effectively with senior management and other stakeholders regarding maintenance plans and progress.

Safety and Compliance

1. Safety Management

• Ensure that the facility and all personnel operate safely at all times and promote an environment whereby safety is a priority.
• Follow standard safety procedures, correct safety and environmental hazards. Read, understand, and implement lockout/tagout, safety rules, job hazard analyses, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Thoroughly and promptly investigate any accidents or near misses in conjunction with the designated investigation team to ensure that any unsafe practices or conditions are addressed and eliminated immediately.
• Conduct regular safety audits and risk assessments, and implement corrective actions as needed. Develop and oversee the implementation of standard operating procedures (including emergency procedures) and their associated safety precautions built into the routine workflow.

2. Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure all maintenance practices comply with local, state, and federal regulations, including environmental, health, and safety regulations.
• Maintain records of maintenance activities to demonstrate compliance during inspections and audits.
• Responsible for maintaining plant cleanliness.

Coordination and Collaboration

1. Interdepartmental Coordination

• Collaborate with production, quality control, and engineering teams to ensure maintenance activities align with production goals and quality standards.
• Participate in cross-functional teams to address facility-wide challenges and initiatives.
• Support plant management and financial teams with maintenance budgets and strategies.
• Prepare specifications to be used in the negotiation of bids, contracts, and rate estimations for new business.

2. Project Management

• Lead and manage maintenance projects, such as equipment upgrades, retrofits, and installations.
• Ensure projects are completed on time, within scope, and within budget.

3. Industry/SME Application

• Read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.
• Learn about new equipment through OEM training/literature and apply this knowledge to operational maintenance.

Experience / Knowledge

• Minimum 10 years' experience leading industrial maintenance efforts, with 3 years as a department lead with direct reports and 3 years in reliability.
• Excellent judgment regarding health, safety, environmental and fire protection risks with emphasis on injury prevention and business continuity.
• Experience in developing and implementing preventive maintenance and reliability plans.
• Experience working in a functional planning and scheduling process and use of a computerized CMMS (D365, SAP or similar).
• Experience in creating and managing maintenance budgets.
• Experience with mechanical recycling equipment and processes, including but not limited to shredders, contaminant removal technologies, belt and pneumatic conveyors, optical sortation, and pelletization.
• Experience managing vendors/contractors.
• Proficient communication skills both verbally and in writing.
• Excellent business acumen, commitment to teamwork, and results driven.
• Confident, proactive, and possessing strong problem-solving skills.
• Impeccable personal and professional ethics.
• Ability to build, maintain, and contribute to a team environment.

Education / Training

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering from an accredited program (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical or specialized Mechanical preferred).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook).
• Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems; Microsoft Dynamics preferred.
• Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) experience.
• Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) or Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) experience preferred.

Position Mechanics

• Reports to: Plant Manager
• Type: Exempt; Full-time
• Work Hours: Flexible, but must be available 8:00–5:00, Monday to Friday, with occasional evening and weekend work.
• Location: Houston, Texas
• Work environment: Primarily office environment but may also work in an industrial environment at times where the use of PPE is required.
• Travel: Less than 25% per year.

Physical demands vary between work performed in an office environment and that of equipment operators.

Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.

Pay: $150, $180,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person