Job Description
Job DescriptionPosition Summary
The Maintenance Technician is responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, repairing, and improving processing, packaging, refrigeration, electrical, mechanical, and facility equipment in a sweet potato processing plant. This position helps ensure safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations while minimizing equipment downtime.
The ideal candidate is mechanically inclined, safety-minded, dependable, and able to diagnose and repair equipment in a fast-paced food-processing environment.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
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Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on processing and packaging equipment.
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Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and conveyor systems.
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Repair and maintain equipment such as:
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Conveyors and belt systems
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Washers, graders, sorters, and sizing equipment
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Pumps, motors, gearboxes, and bearings
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Cutters, peelers, and processing machinery
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Packaging and labeling equipment
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Boilers, compressors, and refrigeration equipment, as applicable
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Electrical control panels, sensors, switches, and motors
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Diagnose equipment problems and make repairs quickly and safely to minimize production downtime.
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Perform scheduled preventive maintenance and document completed work.
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Inspect equipment for wear, damage, leaks, abnormal noise, vibration, or other potential failures.
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Assist with equipment installation, modification, and start-up.
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Perform welding, fabrication, plumbing, and general mechanical repairs as needed.
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Maintain and repair facility systems, including doors, lighting, drains, water systems, and other plant infrastructure.
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Follow lockout/tagout (LOTO), confined-space, machine guarding, and other safety procedures.
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Maintain a clean and organized maintenance area and follow good housekeeping practices.
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Work closely with production personnel to identify equipment problems and opportunities for improvement.
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Respond to emergency maintenance calls and equipment breakdowns.
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Maintain accurate maintenance records, work orders, parts usage, and equipment history.
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Assist with maintaining an adequate inventory of spare parts and maintenance supplies.
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Follow all company policies, food-safety requirements, GMPs, and applicable OSHA regulations.
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Perform other duties as assigned by the Maintenance Supervisor or Manager.
QualificationsRequired
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High school diploma or GED preferred.
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Previous industrial maintenance or mechanical experience preferred.
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Basic knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems.
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Ability to troubleshoot equipment and identify the cause of mechanical or electrical problems.
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Ability to use common hand and power tools safely.
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Ability to read and understand equipment manuals, schematics, and basic electrical diagrams.
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Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
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Ability to work in a wet, humid, dusty, noisy, and temperature-variable food-processing environment.
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Ability to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime during peak processing periods.
Preferred
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2+ years of experience in industrial or food-processing maintenance.
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Experience with conveyors, pumps, motors, gearboxes, and pneumatic systems.
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Electrical troubleshooting experience, including 120/240/480V systems.
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Experience with PLCs, VFDs, sensors, and automated equipment.
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Welding and fabrication experience.
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Experience with refrigeration, boilers, compressors, or other utility systems.
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Technical degree, industrial maintenance certificate, or relevant trade certification.
Physical Requirements
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Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
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Ability to lift and carry up to [50] pounds.
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Ability to climb ladders and stairs and work from elevated platforms.
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Ability to bend, kneel, crawl, reach, and work in confined or awkward positions.
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Ability to work around water, food products, machinery, chemicals, noise, and varying temperatures.
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Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).
Work Environment
This position works primarily in a food-processing plant and may be exposed to wet floors, water spray, dirt, dust, noise, moving machinery, cleaning chemicals, heat, cold, and varying environmental conditions. Strict adherence to safety and food-safety procedures is required.
Safety and Food Safety
The Maintenance Technician is expected to:
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Follow all OSHA and company safety requirements.
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Properly use required PPE.
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Follow lockout/tagout procedures before performing maintenance.
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Maintain machine guards and safety devices in proper working condition.
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Follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and food-safety procedures.
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Prevent maintenance activities from creating contamination risks to food or food-contact surfaces.
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Immediately report unsafe conditions, equipment hazards, or food-safety concerns.
Key Performance Expectations
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Safe completion of maintenance work.
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Timely response to equipment breakdowns.
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Reduction of unplanned equipment downtime.
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Completion of preventive maintenance on schedule.
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Accurate maintenance documentation.
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Proper care and use of tools, equipment, and spare parts.
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Compliance with food-safety, quality, and workplace-safety requirements.
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Positive communication and teamwork with production and maintenance personnel.
Equal Opportunity Employer: [Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants without regard to legally protected status.