Maintenance Manager – Seafood Processing Plant
Location: Aroor Kerala, India
Department: Machinery & Maintenance
Reports To: Operations Director
Job Summary
The Maintenance Manager is responsible for ensuring uninterrupted operation of all production machinery, refrigeration systems, utilities, and factory infrastructure in the seafood processing plant. The role focuses on preventive and breakdown maintenance, food safety compliance, ammonia refrigeration management, utility optimization, and maintenance team leadership to minimize downtime and maintain export-quality production standards.
Key Responsibilities
Plant & Equipment Maintenance
- Oversee preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance activities for:
- Seafood processing machinery
- IQF/freezing systems
- Conveyors and packing lines
- Compressors and pumps
- Boilers and generators
- Cold storage systems
- Water treatment systems
- Ensure minimal equipment downtime and quick breakdown resolution.
- Develop and implement Annual Maintenance Plans (AMP).
- Troubleshoot, maintain, and optimize PLC-controlled systems and VFD (Variable Frequency Drive) panels used in processing lines, refrigeration equipment, pumps, conveyors, and utility operations to ensure smooth and energy-efficient plant performance.
- Ensure all plant machinery, refrigeration systems, utilities, and engineering assets are adequately covered under preventive maintenance contracts and industrial insurance policies; coordinate with insurers for equipment claims, risk inspections, asset documentation, and compliance related to machinery breakdown, fire, ammonia leakage, and business interruption coverage.
Refrigeration & Utilities
- Manage ammonia refrigeration systems and cold chain infrastructure.
- Monitor utility operations including:
- Compressors
- Chillers
- Boilers
- Air compressors
- DG sets
Food Safety & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with HACCP, Factory & Pollution Control regulations
- Participate in internal and external audits.
- Oversee the maintenance records and calibration logs.
Team Management
- Lead and supervise maintenance engineers, electricians, welders, refrigeration technicians, and utility operators.
- Allocate manpower efficiently for shift operations.
- Conduct technical and safety training for maintenance staff.
Spare Parts & Cost Control
- Maintain inventory of critical spare parts and consumables.
- Coordinate with procurement and vendors for maintenance materials.
- Monitor maintenance budgets and optimize repair costs.
Documentation & Reporting
- Maintain:
- Equipment history cards
- Breakdown reports
- PM schedules
- Utility consumption records
- Calibration and compliance documents
- Track KPIs such as:
- MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures)
- MTTR (Mean Time to Repair)
- Downtime
- Ensure Preventive Maintenance compliance
Safety & Continuous Improvement
- Ensure safe maintenance practices and permit systems.
- Conduct root cause analysis for recurring breakdowns.
- Drive automation and continuous improvement initiatives.
Required Qualifications
- B. Tech / Diploma in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering
- Refrigeration certification preferred
- Knowledge in ERP systems
Experience
- 7–15 years in Seafood Processing.
- Strong experience in:
- Ammonia refrigeration
- Cold storage maintenance
- Electrical Utilities management
- Experience in Seafood export factory operations preferred
Salary
- As per Industry Standards