Maintenance Manager - K9 & KinKalmbach Feeds

About the Role

As K9 & Kin continues to grow, we are seeking an experienced and results-driven Maintenance Manager to lead maintenance and reliability functions at our pet food manufacturing facility. This leadership role is responsible for ensuring the reliability, safety, and performance of equipment, utilities, and infrastructure while supporting efficient manufacturing operations. 

Reporting to the Complex Manager, you will lead a skilled maintenance team responsible for preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs that maximize equipment uptime and production efficiency. Working closely with Operations, Quality Assurance, Food Safety, Warehouse, and Engineering teams, you will help build a proactive maintenance culture focused on reliability, continuous improvement, and employee development. 

Primary Responsibilities

• Maintenance & Reliability Leadership: Lead all maintenance operations across the manufacturing facility, ensuring equipment reliability, safety, and operational performance. 

• Preventive & Predictive Maintenance: Develop and manage maintenance programs that maximize equipment uptime, improve asset longevity, and support production goals. 

• Team Development & Engagement: Build, coach, and develop a high-performing maintenance team focused on safety, accountability, technical excellence, and continuous improvement. 

• Operational Support & Continuous Improvement: Partner with Operations to reduce downtime, improve equipment performance, conduct root cause analysis, and implement long-term corrective actions. 

• Project & Resource Management: Support equipment installations, commissioning, upgrades, and capital projects while managing maintenance budgets, spare parts inventory, contractors, and scheduling processes. 

Who You Are

• Experience: You have progressive maintenance leadership experience in a manufacturing environment, including leading maintenance technicians, contractors, and technical teams. 

• Education: A bachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrial Technology, Maintenance Management, or a related field is preferred. Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered. 

• Technical Expert: You possess strong knowledge of mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, automated manufacturing systems, and equipment reliability practices. 

• Problem Solver: You have excellent troubleshooting, analytical, and root cause analysis skills, with a proactive approach to continuous improvement. 

• Leader: You are a hands-on leader who enjoys developing people, building strong teams, and creating sustainable maintenance systems. 

• Technology & Systems Focused: You are experienced with CMMS platforms, predictive maintenance practices, and preferably PLC-controlled equipment, automation systems, and industrial controls. 

• Collaborator: You communicate effectively across departments and can successfully manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. 

Working Conditions

This role is primarily based within a manufacturing environment and requires regular interaction with production, warehouse, quality, and engineering teams. The position may involve extended periods on the production floor and exposure to industrial manufacturing conditions. 

About the Company

K9 & Kin is a family-owned, U.S.-based pet food company built to develop, produce, and support a diverse portfolio of high-quality pet nutrition brands across multiple segments of the industry. Our platform is designed to serve the unique needs of the farm, feed, and specialty retail channels, delivering products that balance performance, value, and trust. 

Being family-owned shapes how we operate. We take a long-term view, value relationships over transactions, and hold ourselves accountable to the same standards we expect from our partners. We collaborate closely with retailers and suppliers who share our commitment to reliability, transparency, and sustainable growth. 

Above all, we are driven by a simple goal: to produce pet food people can trust, from a company they enjoy doing business with. 

K9 & Kin Offers

• Competitive compensation package
 • Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits with eligibility from the date of hire
 • 401(K) with company match
 • Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) policy
 • Company-paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability insurance
 • Company-paid Life Insurance
 • Professional development opportunities
 • A collaborative and dynamic work environment 

K9 & Kin is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate applicants based on their qualifications and experience, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Employment is subject to verification of credentials, reference checks, and a pre-employment drug screening and background check.