Maintenance Lead - UniFirst

At UniFirst, we Always Deliver - for our customers and our people. As a Maintenance Lead, you will help ensure asset reliability and that maintenance activities are completed in accordance with Company policies, approved practices, and safety requirements.

The Maintenance Lead is a hands-on technical leader responsible for coordinating daily maintenance activities, performing advanced troubleshooting and repairs, supporting preventive maintenance programs, and providing technical guidance and training to maintenance partners. The Maintenance Lead works closely with the Maintenance Supervisor and Production Manager to ensure safe, effective, and reliable maintenance operations.

Equipment Maintenance & Reliability

• Diagnose, troubleshoot, repair, and maintain mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, steam, PLC, and control-system equipment using blueprints, schematics, manuals, and technical resources.
• Inspect, test, adjust, lubricate, align, and replace equipment components to restore reliable operation and minimize downtime.
• Perform basic welding and brazing activities, including MIG, TIG, and ARC, when qualified and authorized.
• Identify recurring equipment issues and recommend corrective actions and reliability improvements to reduce downtime and improve equipment performance.

Preventive & Predictive Maintenance

• Perform and coordinate preventive maintenance activities for production and facility equipment in accordance with established schedules, manufacturer requirements, and site standards.
• Review upcoming maintenance work, prioritize activities, verify parts availability, and communicate constraints or risks to the Production Manager.
• Conduct required boiler and wastewater pretreatment testing, maintain records, and make authorized adjustments.
• Inspect equipment components and operating conditions to identify potential failures before they impact production.

Maintenance Leadership & Work Coordination

• Coordinate daily maintenance assignments and priorities in alignment with the Production Manager and established maintenance plans.
• Serve as the first technical point of contact during assigned shifts and help coordinate responses to equipment breakdowns and emergency repairs.
• Provide technical guidance, coaching, and hands-on training to Maintenance Technicians, Maintenance Utility partners, trainees, and other assigned employees.
• Support effective shift handoffs by communicating equipment status, incomplete work, follow-up requirements, and operational risks.
• Reinforce accountability, teamwork, respectful communication, and consistent maintenance practices across shifts.

Safety & Compliance

• Lead by example and reinforce a safe, clean, and compliant work environment by following and enforcing applicable policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Perform and reinforce required safety practices, including Lockout/Tagout, Confined Space, Hot Work, chemical handling, fall protection, and other site-specific requirements.
• Stop work and escalate conditions that present an immediate safety risk or fall outside approved procedures or employee qualifications.
• Support maintenance-related regulatory, environmental, and compliance activities, including required inspections, training, and documentation.

Maintenance Systems & Administration

• Use the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) to document work requests, labor, parts, failure details, repair activities, and completion status.
• Maintain accurate equipment histories, maintenance records, shift logs, meter readings, inspections, and compliance documentation.
• Review and prioritize open work orders based on safety, operational risk, urgency, and business impact.
• Provide regular maintenance updates and debriefs to the Production Manager and coordinate closely with the Maintenance Supervisor.

Parts, Inventory & Vendor Coordination

• Monitor critical maintenance spare-parts inventory, identify shortages, support replenishment, and verify receipt of orders.
• Use maintenance parts, tools, equipment, and supplies responsibly and efficiently.
• Assist with identifying qualified outside service providers, gathering bids, and coordinating onsite vendor activities as assigned.
• Ensure vendors comply with site safety, access, and maintenance requirements.

Continuous Improvement & Development

• Identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability, safety, energy efficiency, maintenance processes, work quality, and cost effectiveness.
• Recommend improvements to preventive maintenance plans, equipment, procedures, parts strategies, and technician training.
• Maintain and expand technical knowledge through required training, technical publications, workshops, and other professional development opportunities.

The Maintenance Lead and Maintenance Supervisor are at the same organizational level and both report directly to the Production Manager. Neither role is senior to the other.