Maintenance Group Leader (Afternoons) - Permanent, Full-Time

We Want You to Join Our Team!

You’re a go-getter who looks for better ways to do things. Roadblocks don’t slow you down – they motivate you to keep equipment and facilities running safely and reliably.

You know that people are the heart and soul of a company, and that when you and your team work together, there is no limit to what you can achieve. If you’re ready to make the move to a company where continuous improvement, building on experience, and how the work gets done truly matter, there’s a place for you here at Book Depot Inc. We’re one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies with an award-winning culture – and we’re the largest bargain book wholesaler and online retailer in North America. For 40 years, our hard-working team has been dedicated to getting more books into more hands around the world. With cutting-edge automation, relentless grit, and a strong set of core values guiding us, we’re constantly pushing the limits of what’s possible, all to fulfill our purpose and deliver the best experience to our customers:

• WE NOT ME – Success means putting others first. We win when we lift each other up.
• KICK SOME MOON DUST – We’re not afraid to go where no one has gone before. Innovation takes courage.
• RIDE TOGETHER. WIN TOGETHER. – We believe in team over ego. Together, we move further and faster.
• WE EAT THE STINKY CHEESE – Curiosity fuels progress. We never stop learning or trying something new.
• WAKE UP. BE AWESOME. REPEAT. – A great attitude makes a great day. We bring our best, every day.
• NO DONKEYS. – Life’s too short to work with people who make things harder than they need to be.

Come join our team and help us make the best kind of impact! To learn more about Book Depot Inc., please visit https://www.bookdepotinc.com/

Our Opportunity

We have an exciting opportunity available for a permanent, full-time Maintenance Group Leader (Afternoon Shift) based out of our 500,000-square-foot Thorold, Ontario distribution centre. We’re seeking a skilled and experienced hands-on leader dedicated to supporting the effective operation of all warehouse equipment and machinery at our Thorold, Ontario and St. Catharines, Ontario locations, with a focus on safety, reducing downtime occurrences, and improving efficiency.

Reporting to the Facilities Director, the Maintenance Group Leader (Afternoon Shift) will strategically ensure the safe, reliable, and cost-effective operation of facilities and equipment while developing people, managing risk, and enabling business performance. As the Maintenance Group Leader (Afternoon Shift), you will oversee Maintenance Associates on the afternoon shift, provide direction and guidance for carrying out repairs, troubleshoot issues with equipment and machinery and perform repairs, deliver training and coaching to team members, always enforce safety practices, and support parts sourcing, reordering, and obtaining quotes as required.

Responsibilities

Strategic:

• Work with the Facilities Director to plan and execute continuous improvement initiatives
• Develop improved preventive and predictive maintenance (PM) programs based on previous work orders and PM data
• Ensure facilities and equipment effectively support current and future operational needs
• Align maintenance activities with production and warehouse schedules
• Minimize operational disruptions through effective planning and prioritization
• Lead root-cause analysis for recurring equipment and facility issues

Functional:

Mechanical Maintenance

• Conveyor systems: belt tracking, bearing replacement, roller and gear maintenance
• Pneumatic and hydraulic system repair and troubleshooting
• Gearboxes, chains, sprockets, and drive component service
• Implementation of PM and lubrication schedules

Electrical & Electronic Maintenance

• Reading and interpreting electrical schematics and wiring diagrams
• Troubleshooting sensors, solenoids, motors, and variable frequency drives (VFDs)
• Skilled in the use of multimeters and diagnostic tools
• Strong knowledge of safe electrical practices and Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)

Robotics & Automation

• Familiarity with industrial robots (Fanuc, ABB, KUKA, etc.)
• Understanding of robot teach pendants and basic motion programming
• Performing calibration, homing, and safety zone setup

PLC & Control Systems

• Basic PLC programming and troubleshooting (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Omron, etc.)
• Understanding of sensors, encoders, and networked control systems (EtherNet/IP, Profibus)
• Experience with Human Machine Interface (HMI) systems

People Management

• Lead and manage team members by assigning and monitoring work, setting clear expectations, evaluating performance, and providing ongoing coaching, guidance, and constructive feedback, addressing performance matters as required
• Accurately coordinate and prepare documentation in Upkeep CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System)
• Lead shift huddles for Maintenance Associates to communicate priorities, review safety considerations, promote engagement, and support effective workflow
• Communicate, plan and coordinate maintenance activities with the day shift Maintenance Group Leader and Facilities Director to ensure effective shift handover and continuity

Additional Responsibilities

• Work full-time afternoons (5 shifts per week, 3:45 p.m. to 12:15 a.m.)
• Follow all relevant departmental policies, processes, standard operating procedures and instructions so that work is carried out in a safe, controlled and consistent manner
• Inspect mechanical equipment to locate damage, defects, or wear; test mechanical equipment to ensure proper functioning
• Dismantle machines, equipment, or devices to access and remove defective parts and repair
• Order parts, supplies, or equipment from catalogues or suppliers and pick up from the supplier on occasion
• Perform general cleaning duties of the building or properties
• Perform minor tasks: painting, deconstruction, plumbing, electrical, etc.
• Inspections of fire suppression systems and devices
• Milling and fabrication of parts to the required specification
• Meeting and quoting with contractors
• Perform inspections of emergency systems
• Carry out all preventative maintenance actions
• Manage multiple priorities under pressure
• Clearly communicate with operations, engineering, and safety teams
• Consistently adhere to company safety standards and PPE requirements
• Participate in Lean / 5S / Continuous Improvement initiatives and quality improvements
• Maintain inventory of parts and equipment
• Support the IT department with keeping physical assets up and running, such as printers, Lidder Machine, etc.)
• Maintain up-to-date technical knowledge and skills by attending training sessions and seminars from major manufacturers of automation equipment
• Other responsibilities related to the role as may be required

People and Culture:

• Model Book Depot Inc.’s values in all that you do and hold others accountable in maintaining the integrity of them
• Foster Book Depot Inc.’s purpose-driven culture — to get more books into more hands — by cultivating a values-aligned, family-friendly, high-performing, and innovative environment, and by recognizing team members who consistently bring this culture to life
• Lead an engaged team that is agile, service-oriented and task-driven
• Ensure everyone is pulling together in the same direction and that you are prioritizing departmental and individual goals, holding team members accountable and providing them with meaningful feedback
• Champion, influence, embrace and motivate change, with a strategic mindset for continuous improvement and scalability
• Actively empower the learning and professional growth of your team through coaching and encouraging your team’s participation in Book Depot University (BDU), and also being a participant
• Provide leadership, mentorship and direction to your team, delegating all mission-critical programming projects to elevate your team
• Give meaningful feedback on performance and potential
• Be accountable for overall engagement, productivity, turnover and bench strength of the team
• Recruit, hire, train, onboard, and manage team members

Qualifications

• OSSD or equivalent
• Millwright experience required
• Strong electrical and mechanical aptitude
• Certified Automation Professional (CAP) and commitment to the ISA Code of Conduct are assets
• Basic programmable logic controller (PLC) programming or troubleshooting skills
• Experience with robotics and automation systems
• CPG (consumer packaged goods) experience is an asset
• Comprehensive understanding of electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic schematics and technical drawings
• Willingness to be on-call outside of regular working hours as required
• 5+ years of hands-on industrial or manufacturing maintenance experience with equipment like carton erectors, labelling machines, lidding machines, sortation equipment, etc.
• Conveyor system maintenance knowledge and experience
• Pneumatic and hydraulic system aptitude
• Understanding of Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures
• Strong diagnostic, problem-solving and decision-making capabilities
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting mindset
• Fluent English communication skills (both verbal and written)
• Ability to work under pressure and prioritize repairs based on production needs
• Willingness to work full-time (5 shifts per week) on our afternoon shift (3:45 p.m. to 12:15 a.m.), with the ability to complete a training period on our day shift (7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
• Strong attention to detail, identifying and sharing continuous improvement opportunities
• Ability to effectively work independently and in a team environment
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods
• Ability to bend, kneel, crouch, or crawl throughout the shift
• Positive attitude, punctual, and strong work ethic
• Demonstrated experience coaching, training, and mentoring
• Confident, positive and motivational

Other Considerations

We very much appreciate and thank you for your application and interest in Book Depot Inc., however, only those individuals selected to participate in our interview process will be contacted. We will keep all resumes received for one year.

Book Depot Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace for all. If you are contacted for a job opportunity, please advise us of any accommodations necessary.