Demo

Maintenance Lead

Mars
Columbia, SC Full Time
POSTED ON 4/9/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/17/2026
Job Description:

Location:

Mars Petcare

1720 Pineview Road

Columbia, SC 29209

A Maintenance Lead's role is to effectively and efficiently communicate, facilitate, co-ordinate, and prioritize all maintenance activities within their area. This position requires working closely with other supply groups particularly Quality Control and Operations to ensure consistent product quality, productivity and safety.

The Maintenance Lead will make assignments and monitor progress, co-ordinate training, schedule and develop associates in their area of responsibility. The Maintenance Lead is responsible for developing and implementing continuous improvement activities that address safety, quality, and efficiency. The Maintenance Lead is responsible for detailed planning of planned work in their area. The Maintenance Lead will partner with production to schedule jobs. Leads must have in-depth knowledge of the entire maintenance area and be recognized as an expert in area of responsibility.

The Maintenance Lead role requires strong leadership, communication, interpersonal and team building skills to support site objectives. The maintenance lead handles the 1st level of escalation support on and off hours. Responsible for maintaining dry receiving area, batching, and grinding which includes screw conveyors, bucket elevators, hammermills, mixers, scaling equipment, bins, and hoppers and as a recognized leader at the team and area level.

Additional Responsibilities include:

  • Make logical/timely decisions on job execution and troubleshooting
  • Take initiative to be proactive with improvement teams
  • Takes initiative to organize and lead team meetings
  • Good speaking, writing, and listening skills.
  • Responsible for written documentation control for area
  • Shares information across teams and across managers
  • Relates well with associates at all levels
  • Can tactfully give and receive timely feedback to team members
  • Demonstrates good listening skills
  • Seeks first to understand and coaches team members.

Continuous Improvement

  • Drives continuous improvement at the department level
  • Continually searches for ways to eliminate maintenance issues.
  • Supports and searches for improvements within assigned areas.
  • Lead continuous improvement efforts.
  • Displays ownership and a high standard of performance for systems in the area.
  • Collaborates with team members and others to optimize system and area performance.
  • Contributions are primarily on a shift/daily/weekly basis. Strong impact on team performance.

Problem Solving Skills

  • Advanced troubleshooting skills at the system level on operational basis, troubleshooting electrical circuits as needed.
  • Ability to troubleshoot non-routine problems at the system level and leads routine PMs and minor enhancements.
  • Utilizes information systems in tracking trends/performance to stimulate corrective action.
  • Displays advanced troubleshooting and analytical skills at the system level.
  • Takes steps for prevention.

Initiative

  • Displays a high degree of initiative and participation within the area. Assumes ownership of area.
  • Demonstrates strong drive, commitment, and initiative.
  • Displays dependability and responsibility.
  • Utilizes time and maintains good attendance.
  • Is driven to go beyond routine thinking and tasks.
  • Self-starter and can work with minimal direct supervision.

Work Standards

  • Works with SAP for work order initiation and closure.
  • Provides detailed job plans and develop standard work procedures.
  • Knows and follows all plant safety policies and performs work in safe manner.
  • Works to drive output and waste targets to improve performance of area.
  • Knows and follows all GMPs and product protection policies.
  • Maintains a clean work area.

Minimum Qualifications

  • 5 years of experience in Industrial Maintenance
  • High school diploma or GED
  • Successful completion of a drug and background screen

Preferred Qualifications

  • 10 years of experience in Maintenance

What Petfood brands are produce in Columbia, SC?

Pedigree and Temptations

What can you expect from Mars?

Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles. Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today. A strong focus on learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University. An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.

Salary.com Estimation for Maintenance Lead in Columbia, SC
$104,299 to $139,445
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