Maintenance Manager

Aplin has been retained to recruit a Maintenance Manager for a large, asset-intensive manufacturing operation in Atlantic Canada. This is a senior leadership role responsible for the effective management, reliability, and continuous improvement of the site-wide maintenance program within a unionized industrial environment.

The Maintenance Manager will lead a team of maintenance supervisors, planners, and skilled trades, ensuring equipment availability targets are achieved while maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality, and cost control. This role will play a key leadership role in the implementation of a new Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) and will work closely with Operations and Engineering to support production objectives and long-term asset reliability.

The position also requires strong cross-functional collaboration with Purchasing, Accounting, and other internal stakeholders, as well as ongoing engagement with external suppliers, contractors, and technical consultants.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight of the maintenance function to achieve budgeted equipment availability and reliability targets
• Lead and develop maintenance supervisors, planners, and skilled trades within a unionized workforce
• Drive the implementation and effective adoption of a new CMMS, including planning, scheduling, and data integrity
• Partner with Operations and Engineering to align maintenance strategy with production and asset lifecycle objectives
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental standards
• Manage maintenance budgets, contractor performance, and vendor relationships
• Support preventive, predictive, and condition-based maintenance programs to reduce unplanned downtime

Experience & Education

• Minimum 10 years of progressive maintenance experience within a manufacturing or heavy industrial environment
• Demonstrated supervisory or management experience in a unionized setting
• Experience in pulp, paper, or similar process manufacturing environments is considered a strong asset
• Third-party certifications in maintenance, reliability, or asset management are an asset
• Formal leadership training or demonstrated people leadership experience is preferred

Skills & Competencies

• Proven ability to lead and influence safety performance in a high-risk industrial environment
• Strong leadership and people management skills with experience managing unionized teams
• Highly organized with strong decision-making, problem-solving, and planning capabilities
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency with CMMS platforms and strong overall computer literacy
• Solid understanding of maintenance planning, scheduling, preventive, and predictive maintenance practices
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, operationally demanding environment

Why Consider This Opportunity
This role offers the opportunity to lead maintenance excellence within a well-established, forward-looking manufacturing organization that values safety, integrity, environmental stewardship, and operational performance. The organization operates with a collaborative, non-bureaucratic culture and plays a meaningful economic role within its region.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
The organization is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace. Hiring decisions are based on qualifications, experience, and demonstrated capability, with respect for the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of all applicants.


At Aplin — together with our brands CompuStaff and Impact Recruitment — we connect great people with great organizations across North America. We believe diverse teams build stronger companies, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We use AI tools to assist in a fair and efficient matching process, helping our recruiters connect the right people with the right opportunities. To be considered, applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada, including holding any required permits. Our recruitment services are always free for job seekers.