Maintenance Supervisor in West Chicago, Illinois at BALL HORTICULTURAL COMPANY

Purpose of the Job

The Maintenance Supervisor is responsible for leading the maintenance operations across Ball Horticultural Company's West Chicago campus, consisting of approximately 543,000 square feet (12.5 acres) of office, warehouse, greenhouse, production, and research & development facilities. This role oversees a team of five Maintenance Technicians and ensures the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of all building systems, infrastructure, and equipment. The Maintenance Supervisor coordinates preventive and corrective maintenance activities, manages contractor relationships, and supports facility improvement initiatives that align with operational goals and company standards.

Responsibilities and Duties

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead by example as a working supervisor, actively participating in maintenance activities while directing and coordinating daily workforce assignments.
• Supervise, coach, and develop a team of five Maintenance Technicians, ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, and to established quality standards.
• Provide technical guidance, training, and performance feedback to support employee development and engagement.
• Foster a culture of teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Maintenance & Facilities Operations

• Plan, prioritize, and coordinate preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance activities across office, warehouse, greenhouse, production, and R&D facilities.
• Maintain the reliable operation of a 543,000-square-foot facility located on a 60-acre campus, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, irrigation systems, environmental controls, production equipment and building infrastructure.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex facility, utility, and equipment issues to minimize downtime and maintain operational continuity.
• Participate in root cause analysis (RCA) of recurring equipment, system, and process failures, implementing corrective actions to improve reliability and prevent future occurrences.

Planning, Projects & Resource Management

• Develop and manage maintenance schedules, work assignments, labor resources, and contractor activities to maximize uptime and operational efficiency.
• Manage maintenance inventory, spare parts, tools, and equipment while controlling costs.
• Assist with maintenance budgets, capital projects, facility upgrades, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Safety, Compliance & Emergency Response

• Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations, company policies, and applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
• Lead department safety programs and promote safe work practices, including conducting Job Hazard Assessments (JHAs), identifying risks, and implementing corrective actions to mitigate hazards.
• Support emergency response activities and provide leadership during critical facility issues.

Collaboration & Continuous Improvement

• Partner with Operations, Greenhouse Management, Production, Distribution, Research, and Facilities leadership to support business objectives.
• Utilize maintenance management systems (CMMS) and key performance metrics to monitor maintenance effectiveness and asset performance.
• Identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability, energy efficiency, sustainability, and operational effectiveness.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

• Associate's degree in Industrial Maintenance, Facilities Management, Engineering Technology, Construction Management, or a related field preferred. Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• Minimum of 5 years of facility maintenance experience in multi-building campus environment.
• Minimum of 3 years of supervisory or team leadership experience.
• Experience managing preventive maintenance programs, facility systems, and maintenance personnel.
• Strong knowledge of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical systems, building automation systems, and general facility maintenance practices.
• Experience working with greenhouse environmental systems, irrigation systems, or controlled environment agriculture facilities is preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS).
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across multiple departments and manage competing priorities.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish is a plus.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift/carry up to 50 lbs. up to 20% of the day.
• Ability to push/pull up to 75 lbs. up to 10% of the day.
• Ability to sit/stand/walk up to 90% of the day.
• Ability to kneel, bend, stoop, and crawl up to 25% of the day.
• Ability to reach above shoulders and below waist up to 25% of the day.
• Ability to climb ladders, stairs, and work platforms up to 25% of the day.
• Ability to use hands, fingers, and tools for maintenance activities up to 75% of the day.
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying environmental conditions including office, warehouse, production, greenhouse, and mechanical spaces, with exposure to temperature fluctuations, humidity, dust, noise, and seasonal weather conditions for up to 80% of the day.

Schedule: Monday – Friday, 6:00am – 2:30pm.

After Hour Responsibilities: On Call for equipment failure and mitigation

Salary Range: $80,000 - $95,000

Our Promise to You

Ball is a global leader in horticulture: we develop, produce, and sell plants around the world. Our vision is to color the world through our customers. We create excitement in the world of flowers and are the first choice for service. We deliver all the best and nothing else!

To you, we deliver a work environment and a culture where building long-lasting relationships internally and externally is important. We believe that good communication, sharing ideas, and collaborating on projects will set us up for success. We keep both our feet on the ground and are approachable.

In addition to this, we provide a comprehensive Total Rewards package that includes:

• Medical, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance
• 401(k)/Profit Sharing Retirement Plan
• Paid time off benefits including vacation and holidays
• Tuition assistance
• Employee Assistance Program and Positive Health program