Maintenance Planner in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota at Branding Iron Holdings

About the Company

For over 60 years, Branding Iron Holdings (“BIH”) has been producing high quality beef and pork products while delivering customized solutions to the food service and retail trade industries. With an eye to the future, BIH has put a strong focus on building internal talent and on leveraging unique product lines and national distribution to drive continued growth. Guided by a strong set of core values (Respect, Integrity and Stewardship), reflecting a culture of servant leadership at every level, BIH’s team works hard to foster a culture that embraces and builds meaningful, long-term relationships with both employees and its customer base.

Position Summary:

In a fast-paced food manufacturing setting, the Maintenance Planner is responsible for developing, planning and scheduling preventative and corrective maintenance plans to ensure efficient and timely upkeep of equipment, machinery, and facilities. They assemble work orders, allocate resources, and prioritize tasks to minimize downtime and support production goals. . The role involves strong collaborating with maintenance, operations, teams to track progress, monitor performance, and optimize maintenance workflows. This role improves operational efficiency, equipment reliability, and overall maintenance effectiveness.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Develop, maintain, and optimize preventive maintenance schedules for equipment and facility assets
• Manage work orders, track maintenance activities, and maintain asset history
• Plan preventative maintenance (PM) activities with operations, and maintenance teams to minimize downtime
• Provide leadership and support to the maintenance team through coaching, feedback, and recognition
• Collaborate with Operations and Maintenance departments to align maintenance schedules with operational needs and safety requirements
• Ensure all maintenance activities comply with food safety, quality, and regulatory standards (FDA/USDA, GMPs)
• Analyze maintenance history and equipment performance data to identify trends and optimize scheduling
• Prepare and distribute work orders, ensuring all necessary resources, tools, and parts are available for maintenance tasks
• Monitor completion of maintenance tasks and update records in computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS)
• Assist in resource allocation, and spare parts inventory management for maintenance operations
• Ensure all maintenance planning activities comply with safety regulations, company policies, and industry standards
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by analyzing workflow, identifying bottlenecks, and recommending process enhancements
• Communicate effectively with internal teams and vendors to ensure timely completion of maintenance projects

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Post-secondary technical training (trade school or equivalent) in electrical or mechanical disciplines.
• Experience: 2–5 years of experience in industrial maintenance leadership, or reliability engineering
• Technical Knowledge: Proficiency in computer applications, including MS Office, CMMS, equipment operations, and preventive maintenance practices.
• Maintenance Proficiency: Ability to interpret wiring diagrams, electrical symbols, and measurement techniques. Understanding of electrical/mechanical drive technology (motors, gears) and control systems (controls, inverters)
• Analytical Skills: Ability to analyze maintenance data, identify trends, and make data-driven scheduling decisions
• Problem-Solving: Skill in resolving scheduling conflicts, prioritizing tasks, and optimizing resource allocation
• Attention to Detail: Accuracy in planning, documenting, and tracking maintenance activities
• Communication: Strong verbal and written skills for coordinating with maintenance teams, operations, and management
• Organizational Skills: Ability to manage multiple maintenance schedules and projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines