Guided Search Partners (GSP)
Guided Search Partners is an Executive Search firm built on Trust, Transparency, Specialization, and Long-term Relationships.
We connect high-performing professionals with organizations that value people, performance, and growth—helping leaders find roles where they can make an impact and build meaningful careers.

About the Opportunity

We’re partnering with a well-established, family-owned food manufacturing company that has grown significantly over the last decade—expanding from a regional operation to one of North America’s leading sous vide producers. Built on a foundation of quality, innovation, and investment in people and infrastructure, the organization continues to scale its production capacity and capabilities to meet growing customer demand.

This role exists as part of that ongoing evolution—ensuring that the Alma, GA facility remains a high-performing, reliable cornerstone of the company’s operations. The incoming Maintenance Manager will take the reins of a skilled maintenance team, driving system reliability, safety, and operational excellence across a large-scale, multi-line production environment. This is an opportunity for a grounded, hands-on leader who thrives in complex manufacturing settings and enjoys the blend of technical challenge, team leadership, and process improvement.

What You’ll Do

You’ll lead a dedicated team of supervisors, leads, and technicians—approximately 12 in total—fostering accountability, teamwork, and proactive problem-solving.

• Guide and develop the maintenance team to support production uptime, product quality, and compliance goals.

• Evaluate systems, equipment, and preventive maintenance programs to improve reliability and reduce downtime.

• Oversee utilities such as boilers, ammonia refrigeration, and water treatment, ensuring safe and efficient operation.

• Partner with production, engineering, and quality teams to align maintenance priorities with operational goals.

• Troubleshoot equipment issues and coordinate with outside contractors managing automation systems.

• Drive initiatives around safety, energy efficiency, and continuous improvement.

• Support new installations, expansions, and process upgrades as the plant continues to evolve.

Every day brings new technical challenges and opportunities to lead by example—building a team culture that values precision, ownership, and collaboration.

Who You Are

You’re a hands-on, solutions-driven leader who thrives in a fast-paced, production-focused environment. You balance technical skill with an approachable leadership style, earning trust through consistency and communication. You value teamwork and take pride in developing others while keeping an eye on the long-term performance of systems and people alike.

You’re the type who runs toward complexity, not away from it—motivated by the challenge of optimizing legacy systems, mentoring a diverse team, and sustaining excellence in a facility with both history and momentum.

Preferred Experience & Attributes

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Maintenance Management, or related field (or equivalent experience).

• 5+ years of progressive leadership in maintenance or plant operations.

• Working knowledge of boiler and ammonia refrigeration systems.

• Basic troubleshooting ability for PLCs and control systems.

• Experience leading maintenance programs in a food manufacturing or regulated environment (GFSI/BRC/SQF).

• Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills.

• Practical, steady leader who balances urgency with attention to detail.

Why This Role Matters

The Maintenance Manager plays a pivotal role in sustaining the operational excellence and growth trajectory of the Alma facility—one of the largest sous vide manufacturing sites in North America. Your leadership ensures that production lines run smoothly, safely, and efficiently, supporting both daily output and long-term strategic initiatives.

You’ll work closely with senior leadership and cross-functional partners, contributing to continuous improvement, safety culture, and system modernization. It’s a chance to lead within a company that truly invests in its people, rewards initiative, and values commitment.

With significant capital investments, strong executive support, and a culture grounded in integrity and quality, there’s no better time to join this team and make an impact.