I understand that depending on the size, goal, and vision of a particular site, what a maintenance manager is at one site can be completely different from another. At one site, it would be someone who is expected to get really hands on and actually start troubleshooting along with the mechanics on a particular problem and turning a wrench. At that point, it appears that that kind of maintenance manager is more of a super mechanic with admin skills that he is expected to do.
At other sites, the maintenance manager is expected to be someone who oversees things, has technical literacy, but is not expected to actually get down on his hands and knees and start turning a wrench. And the last 4 or 5 maintenance managers that were in this position at my plant, none of them were former mechanics.. All were engineering grads... Also, perhaps coordination and being able to direct and oversee troubleshooting and provide direction, but not turning a wrench. This model is more of what is at my site.
I am curious as to the level of effort at your site regarding the maintenance manager and how deeply he gets involved in actual day to day activities to include wrench turning, active trouble shooting etc...
Thanks.
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Christopher Lee, P.E., CMRP, PMP
Maintenance Manager
Ecolab
Martinsburg WV
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