what is it like to work as a maintenance manager?
The maintenance manager is the head of the company's maintenance department. Their responsibility is to oversee the upkeep of the company's facilities and equipment, ensuring that employees have the best resources available to perform their daily tasks. Their primary duties include supervising operations and activities within the department and managing the technical staff.
what does a maintenance manager do?
The role of a maintenance manager is quite different from other leadership positions. Their scope of responsibilities is broader than just typical administrative tasks. In addition to understanding the technical issues and equipment handled by their team, a key challenge is fostering a motivated workforce. As a maintenance manager, you should see yourself as a higher-level supervisor and facilitator. You need to stay informed about your team’s needs whether they require assistance, additional training, or specialized tools to perform their tasks more effectively. Additionally, you may also be involved in other activities such as preparing budgets and tracking expenses within the department.
As a maintenance manager, they work in electrical power plants, manufacturing companies, or commercial facilities. Therefore, a good maintenance manager should have fundamental knowledge of electrical and mechanical systems, building operations, or even plumbing systems. Additionally, they need to be well-versed in maintenance regulations and safety procedures. In smaller organizations, they may perform some maintenance tasks themselves, but in larger enterprises, their primary role is to oversee operations.
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average salary of maintenance manager.
Using our salary calculator, you can explore the pay ranges for maintenance managers at different experience levels. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced professional, these ranges give you an idea of what you can expect to earn. Keep in mind, actual salaries may vary depending on the specific responsibilities you handle within an organization. Companies in manufacturing and logistics sectors typically offer more opportunities and higher salaries in this field.
want to know how much a maintenance manager earns? check out our salary calculator!
salary calculatorhow can you earn more as a maintenance manager?
Education, certifications obtained, additional skills, and experience all influence the base salary. Employees with exceptional abilities and more experience generally earn higher starting pay. Salary levels also depend on the location of the organization. Maintenance managers in urban centers tend to earn more than those in smaller towns, reflecting differences in demand and living costs.
types of maintenance manager positions.
We need maintenance managers with expertise in various industries. The most common ones are:
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Plant maintenance manager: responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of the plant's systems and equipment. This role involves overseeing the installation of new machinery, repairs, and preventive maintenance to support efficient and timely production.
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Facility maintenance manager: responsible for all servicing and engineering tasks within a facility. They often work alongside plumbers, mechanical engineers, and electrical engineers to ensure the facility remains safe and operates according to its intended purpose.
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Utility maintenance manager: responsible for directing and leading maintenance supervisors within government agencies. Some of their duties include overseeing landscape construction as well as the maintenance of roads, parks, and recreational facilities.
- Building complex maintenance manager: responsible for ensuring the proper technical condition of residential complexes, commercial buildings, and offices. Their job includes overseeing daily maintenance operations, such as cleaning, and managing maintenance procedures.
working as a maintenance manager.
If you envision your career as a maintenance manager, keep reading to learn more about the role, its responsibilities, and what it entails.
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responsibilities of the maintenance manager
As a maintenance manager, the nature and number of responsibilities vary from organization to organization depending on the company's size and industry. However, some tasks are common across the board, including the following:
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Supervision of maintenance activities: the maintenance manager's primary responsibility is overseeing the staff. Their job includes planning daily work schedules and assigning tasks based on employees' skills. They must have a clear understanding of the organization's goals to match the right individual with the right task to achieve these objectives. Additionally, they need to monitor the progress of projects according to the schedule.
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Employee training: as a maintenance manager, mentor your team members to help achieve organizational goals. Identify their weaknesses and provide the necessary training to enhance their skills. To build better relationships with your workforce, act as a trusted advisor. If your team encounters any issues, resolve them directly or escalate the problems to the appropriate person within the organization.
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Implementing health and safety procedures: maintenance involves high-risk activities that can expose workers and other employees to hazards. As the maintenance manager, it is your responsibility to ensure that your team carries out all tasks in accordance with occupational safety guidelines. The best way to implement such procedures is to provide every employee with the appropriate safety equipment and to select personnel who are well-trained to perform the tasks safely.
- Budget management: as a maintenance manager, you are responsible for overseeing the department's budget to ensure best practices are followed, helping you manage resources and expenses effectively. Your role includes monitoring equipment inventories and placing orders when needed. As a leader, you should develop better strategies to improve productivity and reduce costs within the department.
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work environment
The maintenance manager's daily activities vary depending on the industry. They may work in the private or public sector, across different environments and locations. Whether indoors or outdoors, they spend much of their time moving around within the facility to provide proactive solutions when needed. If they work for a manufacturing company, a significant portion of their time is dedicated to troubleshooting hydraulic, mechanical, and electrical issues within the facility.
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who does a maintenance manager work with?
Depending on the employer, colleagues may include mechanical maintenance technicians and maintenance engineers. They might also work alongside cleaners, railway track maintenance workers, and other specialists such as gas fitters, caretakers, security guards, and shift supervisors.
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working hours schedule
The supervisory requirements for maintenance managers entail long working hours. They are likely to work full-time, but in some cases, they may need to work overtime or operate on rotating shifts. Typically, they work a standard 40-hour week. However, if they are employed in industries where immediate action might be necessary, they should be prepared to respond to emergency calls. In certain situations, they may need to work evenings, weekends, and holidays. Many facilities operate 24/7. As a maintenance manager, you need to be available on-site to oversee tasks, so remote work is not an option.
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development opportunities
Companies have recognized that maintenance is essential to business success, and they are quickly adopting the principles of predictive maintenance. Nowadays, most organizations no longer wait for equipment to fail; instead, they employ maintenance teams to keep machinery and systems in optimal condition and prevent breakdowns. This opens up opportunities to specialize in specific maintenance tasks, such as railway and road maintenance. If you work in manufacturing facilities, there’s potential to advance into roles like facility manager or maintenance consultant over time.
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why it's worth looking for a maintenance manager position through randstad
There are several advantages to seeking a maintenance manager position with the assistance of a Randstad consultant:
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a consultant with a strong understanding of the manufacturing and production sector of the labor market supports the selection process
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you can find a wide range of job opportunities on our website
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whether you're looking for a fixed-term or indefinite position, we help you find the job that best fits you
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required studies and skills.
studies.
To work as a maintenance manager, acquiring professional knowledge is essential. The required level of education to become a maintenance manager depends on the size and nature of the company. In smaller organizations, you can start with a secondary education and relevant work experience. However, in larger organizations, a higher education degree is typically necessary for the position. It is advisable to choose one of the following training programs to get started:
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university degree
A good entry point for a maintenance management position, especially if you hold a basic degree in industrial maintenance, chemical engineering, or mechanical engineering. It can also be helpful to pursue further studies in leadership and management through a master's program.
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vocational training
Some maintenance managers start their careers not with a university degree, but as professionals working in the maintenance field. For example, they may choose training in plumbing or electrical maintenance, which is related to their job roles. A few maintenance managers begin their careers with technician positions and certifications obtained in various trades.
skills.
The following skills are required for a maintenance manager to perform their duties:
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leadership skills
As a maintenance manager, you need to oversee various team members to ensure tasks are completed on time. Strong leadership abilities are essential to inspire and motivate your team toward a common goal, as well as to assist with delegation and effective multitasking.
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computer skills
Basic computer knowledge is required for placing material orders, organizing training programs, and creating schedules. A maintenance supervisor also needs to understand engineering concepts to perform certain tasks when a team member is unavailable.
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problem-solving skills
As a maintenance manager, you need to have quick problem-solving abilities to resolve issues swiftly and prevent disruptions to other departments' work.
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social skills
As a maintenance manager, you work with a wide range of colleagues, from cleaners to engineers and executives. Excellent social skills are essential to build effective relationships and communicate professionally with everyone.
frequently asked questions.
We have compiled the most frequently asked questions regarding the maintenance manager position:
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what does a maintenance manager do?
Maintenance managers oversee the installation, repair, and upkeep of an organization's machinery, equipment, buildings, and other structures. They also handle administrative tasks such as budget planning, hiring personnel, and negotiating contracts.
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what is a maintenance manager 's salary?
Our salary calculator allows you to explore pay ranges to see how much a starting or experienced maintenance manager earns. The salary range can vary depending on the specific responsibilities within the organization.
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what makes someone a good maintenance manager?
A good maintenance manager needs to have strong time management, organizational, and communication skills. This position is best suited for ambitious individuals who can work long hours and handle multiple deadlines simultaneously.
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what are the responsibilities of a maintenance manager?
The maintenance manager's primary responsibility is to regularly inspect the organization's facilities and equipment. Additionally, they perform repairs, installations, and replacements to ensure the smooth operation of the facility.
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how can I become a maintenance manager?
Most employers require both relevant qualifications and experience when hiring maintenance managers. Earning a basic diploma is a good starting point, especially if you want to work in technology industries or aim for career advancement later on.
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how can I apply for the maintenance manager position?
Applying for a maintenance manager position is easy: create your profile on Randstad, and browse our job offers near you. Once logged in, you can apply with just one click to the opportunity that interests you directly through our website!