Plant Maintenance Foreman

Dickerson & Bowen - Paving the way for growth and development since 1947

D&B is a leading provider of aggregates, asphalt and asphalt paving services in central and southern Mississippi. D&B operates four asphalt plants and two active sand and gravel plants and is a natural extension to our recently established Southeast platform, further strengthening our vertically integrated footprint.

General Summary

The Maintenance Foreman is a working foreman responsible for leading and participating in the safe inspection, troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance of fixed plant equipment supporting asphalt hot plants and aggregate mine pits. The position supports the Plant Maintenance Superintendent by coordinating daily maintenance activities, assigning and monitoring work, communicating equipment status, and helping ensure preventive and corrective maintenance is completed safely, efficiently, and to company standards.

Job Description

This role combines hands-on mechanic responsibilities with first-line field leadership. The Maintenance Foreman works alongside mechanics, welders, electricians, contractors, and operations personnel to maintain plant reliability and production readiness. The position provides day-to-day direction in the field while escalating major equipment, staffing, parts, safety, and scheduling needs to the Plant Maintenance Superintendent.

Essential Job Accountabilities

• Lead by example and perform work in compliance with MSHA, OSHA, environmental requirements, company policies, and site-specific safety procedures.
• Conduct or participate in pre-task planning, job hazard analyses, lockout/tagout verification, workplace examinations, and maintenance safety inspections.
• Coordinate daily maintenance assignments and provide clear work direction to maintenance employees and contractors as directed by the Plant Maintenance Superintendent.
• Work alongside the maintenance crew and personally perform mechanical troubleshooting, repair, welding, fabrication, installation, adjustment, and preventive maintenance tasks.
• Inspect asphalt plants, aggregate plants, crushing and screening systems, conveyors, wash plants, bins, silos, hoppers, feeders, pumps, gearboxes, bearings, pulleys, idlers, belts, chutes, tanks, dryers, drums, burners, dust collection equipment, and related support systems.
• Perform or assist with conveyor belt changes and repairs, bearing and pulley replacement, screen changes, pump and gearbox repairs, equipment alignment, steel replacement, structural repair, and replacement of worn components.
• Utilize hand tools, power tools, welding equipment, cutting torches, rigging, lifting equipment, and diagnostic tools safely and properly.
• Troubleshoot equipment failures, identify likely causes, make safe repairs, and communicate recurring or significant reliability concerns to the Plant Maintenance Superintendent.
• Support weekly maintenance planning, planned shutdowns, emergency repairs, major rebuilds, equipment installation, and contractor activities.
• Help prioritize work based on safety, production impact, equipment condition, labor availability, and parts availability.
• Monitor work quality and progress, verify completed work, and communicate plant readiness and outstanding maintenance needs to Maintenance and Operations leadership.
• Complete and review work orders, inspection forms, parts usage records, and equipment maintenance documentation accurately and timely.
• Assist with preventive and predictive maintenance activities, lubrication programs, equipment history, and identification of maintenance backlog items.
• Identify required tools, materials, and critical spare parts; assist with parts inventory organization and notify the Superintendent of shortages or long-lead needs.
• Provide hands-on coaching and training to mechanics and maintenance employees on safe work practices, repair methods, equipment care, housekeeping, and company expectations.
• Promote accountability, teamwork, quality workmanship, equipment care, and continuous improvement within the maintenance crew.
• Coordinate respectfully with Plant Operations, Quality Control, Safety, vendors, and contractors to minimize downtime and support production requirements.
• Provide status updates and promptly escalate serious safety concerns, extended downtime, major component failures, or repair-versus-replace decisions to the Plant Maintenance Superintendent.
• Respond to breakdowns and maintenance needs at multiple asphalt plant and aggregate mine locations, including outside normal working hours when required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education

• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience required.
• Technical or vocational training in industrial maintenance, welding, diesel technology, electrical systems, or a related field preferred.

Work Experience

• Five or more years of industrial, asphalt plant, aggregate plant, mining, heavy equipment, or related maintenance experience preferred.
• Previous experience as a lead mechanic, crew lead, working foreman, or similar first-line leadership role preferred.
• Experience working in an MSHA-regulated environment preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong mechanical aptitude and demonstrated ability to diagnose and repair fixed plant equipment.
• Working knowledge of asphalt plant and aggregate processing equipment, including crushers, screens, conveyors, pumps, bins, silos, dryers, drums, burners, and material handling systems.
• Working knowledge of bearings, belts, pulleys, gearboxes, hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems, lubrication practices, welding, fabrication, and rigging.
• Ability to read and apply equipment manuals, parts diagrams, blueprints, and basic mechanical or electrical schematics.
• Ability to plan and prioritize daily work, organize people and materials, and adjust to changing production and equipment needs.
• Ability to direct and coach employees while remaining actively engaged in hands-on repair work.
• Ability to communicate clearly with maintenance employees, plant personnel, contractors, vendors, and leadership.
• Ability to document maintenance activity using work orders, inspection forms, and basic computer or mobile applications.
• Ability to make sound field decisions within assigned authority and recognize when issues require escalation.
• Ability to obtain and maintain required MSHA Part 46 training and other site-specific qualifications.
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record required.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

• Work is performed primarily outdoors and in industrial plant and mine environments with exposure to heat, cold, rain, dust, noise, vibration, grease, moving equipment, and uneven terrain.
• Ability to work at heights up to approximately 110 feet and safely use stairs, ladders, platforms, and catwalks.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and frequently stoop, bend, crouch, kneel, climb, crawl, reach, push, pull, and use hands and arms.
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 80 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment and work safely around crushers, conveyors, asphalt plants, mobile equipment, and other industrial hazards.
• Ability to travel between company facilities and work extended hours, nights, weekends, or emergency call-outs as operational needs require.

Additional Requirements/Skills

• Safety-conscious working leader who models company standards and holds the crew accountable for safe, quality work.
• Team player with a strong sense of urgency, reliability, and ownership.
• Commitment to housekeeping, equipment care, preventive maintenance, and continuous improvement.
• Willingness to support the Plant Maintenance Superintendent and assume field leadership responsibilities when assigned.
• Ability and willingness to comply with the Company Code of Conduct and all company policies.

We have committed to leading the highway construction and aggregate industries by rewarding our most valuable resource... our employees!

It is the policy Dickerson & Bowen Company not to discriminate against any applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex (to include pregnancy and sexual orientation), national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, or because he or she is a protected veteran or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

The statements included in this job description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria necessary to successfully perform the job. Other duties may be assigned as required. Requirements for this job are subject to modification by Dickerson & Bowen Company and their designees, and reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-hire drug testing.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled and veterans.