Operations & Maintenance Technical Services Manager (reliability - - hybrid Role)

Manager, Technical Services

Sleepy Eye, MN, USA | Repair & Maintenance - NPL | Salary | $125,000-$160,000 per year | Full Time

Christensen Farms is one of the largest, family-owned pork producers in the United States, marketing approximately 3 million hogs per year. Headquartered in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, our 50 year old company operates throughout the Midwest with facilities in Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, and South Dakota. Christensen Farms owns four feed mills, manages 140,000 sows on 44 farms, and oversees more than 350 nurseries and grow-finish sites. Our organization employs nearly 1,000 people and maintains 1,500 contract partnerships. We are an industry leader with a proven commitment to ethical practices, food safety, and nutrition. Join our team!

Position Overview:

The Manager, Technical Services is a critical leadership role within the Asset Planning & Management team, responsible for overseeing a team of technical subject matter experts (SMEs) across mechanical, structural, and electrical disciplines. This position plays a central role in driving technical excellence, reliability strategy, and asset lifecycle optimization for Christensen Farms' fixed asset portfolio. The Manager will guide the team in developing and delivering proactive evaluations, recommendations, and advisory support for capital projects, maintenance strategies, and asset management initiatives. This individual will be instrumental in shaping long-term asset reliability and sustainability through cross-functional collaboration and data-informed planning.

From Our Manager:

"We are looking for a technical leader who can balance big-picture strategy with technical depth-someone who is passionate about building systems that last and teams that thrive." Jacob Fehlen, Director – Asset Planning & Management

What You Will Do:

• Lead and develop a team of 5–8 technical specialists in mechanical, electrical, and structural disciplines.
• Provide guidance and oversight for technical evaluations supporting maintenance, repair, and capital improvement decisions.
• Strategize and implement long-term reliability and asset performance plans aligned with organizational priorities.
• Serve as an internal consultant, delivering expert recommendations and risk-based analysis for fixed asset initiatives.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Construction, Maintenance, Operations) to inform project planning, design reviews, and execution strategies.
• Establish and maintain technical standards, specifications, and design criteria across assets and capital projects.

What You Offer Us:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Structural Engineering.
• 8+ years of progressive leadership experience in technical services, engineering, or asset management.
• Proven success managing multidisciplinary teams in operational or capital-intensive environments.
• Strong knowledge of reliability-centered maintenance, design for maintainability, and asset lifecycle planning.
• Ability to interpret and apply engineering principles to drive practical, cost-effective outcomes.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
• Preferred: Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP), Project Management Professional (PMP), Six Sigma or Lean Certification, or Master's degree in a related field.
• Experience in agricultural, manufacturing, food production, utilities, or facility-heavy sectors is a plus.

What We Offer You:

• An opportunity to directly influence how assets are designed, maintained, and invested in across a growing organization.
• The ability to lead a capable technical team while being deeply embedded in long-term strategic planning.
• We offer a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, a flexible spending account (FSA), life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, a 401(k) plan, paid holidays, paid time off bank, an employee assistance program (EAP), and more.
• Be an active part of an organization that gives back to the community in many ways – including feed programs that support local farms, food shelf programs, food support for veterans, agriculture education and promotion, FFA/4H support, charitable contributions, etc.
• A company that has a passionate purpose for food safety, animal welfare, and for living its core values every day – respect, integrity, excellence, adaptability, and innovation.
• A culture that fosters employee growth, hybrid work options, promotion from within, and a highly team-oriented workplace environment.
• The targeted base pay range for this role is $125,000 to $160,000 with this range reflecting differences in candidate knowledge, skills, and experience.

Reports To: Director, Asset Planning & Management

Christensen Farms promotes a culture of inclusion and strives to attract a diverse set of candidates for each of our open positions. We are an equal employment opportunity employer and proud to offer employment and growth opportunities to all candidates without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or veteran status.