Maintenance Director – Granite City, IL

Location: Granite City, IL
Position Type: Full-Time | Exempt | Salaried
Department: Operations / Plant Production

Position Summary

Friedman Industries is seeking an experienced and driven Maintenance Director to lead maintenance operations at our Granite City steel processing facility. This leadership role is responsible for overseeing all maintenance functions to ensure equipment reliability, operational efficiency, workplace safety, and continuous improvement throughout the plant.

The ideal candidate will bring strong leadership experience within a heavy industrial or steel manufacturing environment and possess a hands-on approach to maintenance strategy, team development, compliance, and operational excellence.

As the Maintenance Director, you will play a critical role in minimizing downtime, improving equipment performance, managing maintenance budgets, and driving modernization initiatives that support plant productivity and long-term operational success.

Key Responsibilities
Maintenance Operations Leadership
Oversee all plant maintenance operations to ensure maximum equipment uptime and reliability
Lead, mentor, and develop maintenance personnel while fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, and safety
Assign priorities, supervise work crews, and ensure efficient execution of maintenance activities
Preventive & Predictive Maintenance
Develop and implement preventive and predictive maintenance programs
Establish maintenance procedures, schedules, and best practices to improve equipment performance and reduce unplanned downtime
Analyze maintenance metrics and operational data to identify trends and improvement opportunities
Safety & Regulatory Compliance
Ensure all maintenance activities comply with OSHA, environmental, and company safety standards
Promote and maintain a strong safety culture throughout the facility
Coordinate inspections, audits, and compliance-related activities
Budgeting & Resource Management
Manage maintenance budgets, capital expenditures, and inventory planning
Oversee procurement and inventory management for spare parts, tools, and maintenance materials
Make cost-effective decisions that optimize operational performance and resource utilization
Operational & Strategic Support
Collaborate with production and plant leadership to align maintenance priorities with operational goals
Lead equipment modernization and facility improvement initiatives
Coordinate with external contractors and vendors for specialized maintenance services
Develop emergency response plans for equipment failures and plant incidents
Provide regular reporting and updates to senior leadership regarding maintenance performance and strategic initiatives
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Maintenance, or a related field
(Extensive maintenance leadership experience may be considered in lieu of a degree)
Minimum 5 years of maintenance management experience in a heavy industrial or steel manufacturing environment
Strong understanding of steel manufacturing processes and industrial equipment
Demonstrated experience leading and developing maintenance teams
Knowledge of preventive and predictive maintenance systems
Experience managing large-scale maintenance projects and budgets
Familiarity with maintenance management software and industrial technologies
Strong problem-solving, organizational, and decision-making skills
Excellent communication and leadership abilities
Knowledge of OSHA and industrial safety standards
Ability to work flexible hours and respond to operational emergencies as needed
Preferred Qualifications
Industry-specific engineering education or technical training
Additional experience in steel processing or manufacturing operations
Work Environment
Industrial steel processing facility environment
Combination of office and plant-floor responsibilities
Requires interaction with maintenance teams, production personnel, contractors, and leadership
Ability to work flexible schedules and be on-call when necessary
Why Join Friedman Industries?

Friedman Industries is a growing leader in the steel industry committed to safety, operational excellence, innovation, and employee development. We value our employees as our greatest asset and provide opportunities for career growth, leadership advancement, and relocation within our expanding operations.

This position offers the opportunity to play a significant leadership role in shaping the future of plant operations while contributing to the continued growth and success of Friedman Industries.

Apply today to join a team dedicated to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.