Position: Manager, Operations & Maintenance
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Shift Time: Day Shift
About Green Era
At Green Era, we are transforming food waste into energy, jobs, food, and healthy neighborhoods, and our work has received numerous awards and accolades for our contributions to sustainability and community development. We are looking for candidates who embrace and appreciate this mission and are eager to be part of an organization driving meaningful environmental and economic change.
The Role
This is not a desk job. You’ll lead plant maintenance operations from the floor up — managing a team of mechanics, electricians, and contractors while staying hands-on: installing, aligning, troubleshooting, and improving equipment. If you love building strong teams and solving tough problems with your hands (and a multimeter), you’ll thrive here.
What You’ll Do
● Own accountability for all plant maintenance operations, translating strategy into clear priorities for the team.
● Lead, schedule, and develop a team of mechanics, electricians, and contractors; manage the maintenance budget and CMMS program while remaining hands-on.
● Work alongside the team to properly install, align, and maintain pumps, tanks, screens, conveyors, filtration, gearboxes, motors, and utilities.
● Guide diagnosis & repair of mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical (24V–480V) systems; coordinate with licensed electricians as needed.
● Work with industrial controls: PLCs (e.g., Allen-Bradley), VFDs, HMI/SCADA, instrumentation, sensors, and control logic.
● Oversee and perform preventive/predictive maintenance programs using a CMMS; ensure accurate work logs and parts usage tracking.
● Support welding, fabrication, and rigging (mild/stainless); ensure safe operation of hoists/cranes/forklifts to move heavy equipment.
● Drive root-cause analysis and continuous improvement initiatives to reduce downtime and boost throughput.
● Enforce LOTO, Confined Space, Hot Work, NFPA 70E, OSHA 1910 and site PPE requirements across the team.
What You Bring
● 8+ years hands-on experience in industrial maintenance, millwrighting, or mechanical engineering (manufacturing, waste processing, food/beverage, chemicals, or similar), including 2+ years leading or supervising a maintenance team.
● Strong mechanical fundamentals plus working knowledge of 24V–480V equipment and VFDs/controls.
● Proficiency in welding/fabrication/rigging, reading prints/schematics/P&IDs, and using precision tools.
● Experience managing a CMMS program, parts kitting/inventory, maintenance planning, and departmental budgets.
● Proven people leadership: hiring, coaching, setting priorities, and holding a team to high standards.
● OSHA compliance and LOTO experience a must.
● Valid driver’s license; ability to lift 50+ lbs and work at heights/in confined spaces (with permits).
● Degree paths: Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering (preferred); technical/vocational training strongly valued.
Nice to Have
● Experience with anaerobic digestion, pumps/centrifuges, depackaging systems, or process plant.
● Allen-Bradley programming, basic ladder logic edits, instrumentation calibration.
● Forklift/crane/signalperson certifications; CWI or pressure vessel welding experience.
● Prior experience managing maintenance budgets or capital improvement projects.
Schedule & Working Conditions
● Oversee the on-call rotation for emergencies; occasional OT/weekends/holidays during turnarounds or breakdowns.
● Industrial environment: noise, odors, heat, dust, chemicals; rigorous adherence to safety protocols.
● Participates in on-call rotation for urgent equipment issues as needed.
Equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can contribute their fullest potential each day. Candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $50.00 - $60.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Relocation assistance
- Vision insurance
Ability to Commute:
- Chicago, IL 60620 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Chicago, IL 60620: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
