Maintenance Technician III - 1st Shift

Published: 6/14/2022

Real Estate

Job Description

Job Title: Maintenance Technician III - Technician, Inventory, & Planning
Location: 2577 AR-59, Decatur, AR
Job Type: Monday - Friday 6:00 AM - 2:30 PM

About United Petfood

United Petfood is a private label producer of high-quality dry & wet pet food, biscuits and snacks. We are a Belgian family business with 25 high-tech pet kitchens in Europe and the US.

Joining us means joining an international, passionate, and driven team with one common goal: a healthy planet filled with healthy pets! But it doesn’t stop there—we truly care about building encouraging, supportive, long-lasting partnerships, both inside as well as outside of our fast-growing family company. By only working with the very best ingredients and most innovative technology available, we ensure a place in which you can grow, bloom, and make thousands of pets happy worldwide!

Check out our website: United Petfood Producers USA, Inc.

Position Summary

The Maintenance Technician – Planning & Inventory Support is a versatile position responsible for supporting maintenance operations through a combination of hands-on equipment maintenance, spare parts inventory management, maintenance planning, and work order scheduling.

This position serves as a flexible resource within the Maintenance department, assisting with preventive and corrective maintenance activities while supporting the organization, availability, and tracking of maintenance parts and supplies. The role also assists with coordinating work orders, scheduling maintenance activities, and maintaining accurate records within the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).

The ideal candidate has strong mechanical aptitude, organizational skills, and the ability to transition between technical maintenance responsibilities and administrative support based on operational priorities.

Duties & Responsibilities

Equipment Maintenance & Technical Support

Perform preventive, corrective, and general maintenance activities on manufacturing and facility equipment as assigned.
Assist Maintenance Technicians with troubleshooting, diagnosing, and repairing mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment.
Support maintenance activities involving extruders, mixers, conveyors, dryers, packaging systems, motors, pumps, and other industrial production equipment.
Assist with equipment inspections, lubrication, adjustments, component replacements, and routine preventive maintenance tasks.
Respond to equipment breakdowns and production-related maintenance requests based on departmental priorities.
Support equipment installations, modifications, and maintenance improvement projects.
Use appropriate hand tools, power tools, measuring instruments, and diagnostic equipment.
Complete maintenance work in accordance with established safety procedures and equipment manufacturer recommendations.

Maintenance Planning & Scheduling Support

Assist with creating, reviewing, updating, and organizing preventive and corrective maintenance work orders within the CMMS.
Support the development and coordination of daily and weekly maintenance schedules based on production requirements and equipment availability.
Work with Maintenance leadership to identify work order priorities and coordinate maintenance activities around planned production downtime.
Assist with identifying required labor, spare parts, tools, and materials for scheduled maintenance activities.
Review outstanding work orders and help identify tasks delayed by equipment availability, staffing, or missing parts.
Support the rescheduling and tracking of incomplete or deferred maintenance work.
Assist with monitoring preventive maintenance completion and upcoming maintenance requirements.
Communicate work order status, scheduling changes, and equipment concerns to Maintenance leadership and appropriate team members.
Support maintenance shift communication and work order handoffs to ensure continuity of maintenance activities.

Spare Parts & Inventory Management

Assist with receiving, inspecting, organizing, labeling, and storing maintenance parts, tools, and supplies.
Maintain accurate inventory records and update parts transactions within the CMMS or designated inventory system.
Support proper parts checkout, issuance, returns, and inventory adjustments.
Assist with maintaining minimum and maximum inventory levels for critical spare parts.
Monitor parts availability and communicate low-stock conditions or potential shortages to Maintenance leadership.
Support periodic cycle counts, physical inventory audits, and inventory reconciliation.
Assist with identifying obsolete, damaged, or incorrectly stocked materials.
Coordinate with Maintenance personnel to identify replacement parts and materials required for repairs and preventive maintenance.
Support purchase requisitions, order tracking, and follow-up on outstanding parts as directed.
Maintain clean, organized, and accessible maintenance storage areas.

Maintenance Documentation & Coordination

Accurately document maintenance activities, labor hours, parts usage, and work order completion within the CMMS.
Assist with maintaining equipment histories, preventive maintenance records, and maintenance documentation.
Support the preparation of maintenance reports, work order summaries, and inventory information.
Communicate with Production, Maintenance, Warehouse, and other departments regarding equipment availability, parts needs, and scheduled work.
Assist with coordinating contractors, vendors, and maintenance-related services when assigned.
Help identify opportunities to improve maintenance organization, work order accuracy, parts availability, and equipment reliability.
Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent required.
Previous industrial maintenance experience or equivalent technical training.
Working knowledge of mechanical systems and basic industrial equipment troubleshooting.
Ability to safely use hand tools, power tools, and common maintenance equipment.
Basic computer skills and ability to learn maintenance management and inventory systems.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Ability to maintain accurate maintenance and inventory records.
Basic mathematical skills for inventory quantities, measurements, and parts tracking.
Ability to read and interpret maintenance instructions, equipment manuals, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Effective communication skills and ability to work collaboratively with Maintenance and Production personnel.
Ability to balance hands-on maintenance responsibilities with planning, scheduling, and inventory support tasks.
Willingness to learn and perform a variety of maintenance-related responsibilities.

Preferred Qualifications

Two or more years of industrial maintenance experience in a manufacturing environment.
Experience maintaining or troubleshooting conveyors, motors, pumps, packaging equipment, or other production machinery.
Previous experience with maintenance planning, work order scheduling, or spare parts inventory management.
Experience using a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
Familiarity with preventive maintenance programs and maintenance work order processes.
Experience with industrial inventory control, parts identification, or purchasing coordination.
Previous experience in food, pet food, beverage, or continuous-process manufacturing.
Technical certification or education in Industrial Maintenance, Maintenance Technology, or a related field.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Mechanical aptitude and ability to perform routine maintenance and troubleshooting tasks.
Ability to organize and prioritize work based on maintenance and production needs.
Strong attention to detail when managing inventory, parts transactions, and maintenance documentation.
Ability to transition between maintenance repairs, inventory responsibilities, and administrative tasks throughout the workday.
Effective problem-solving and communication skills.
Ability to work independently with appropriate direction and as part of a maintenance team.
Understanding of preventive maintenance principles and equipment reliability.
Ability to identify parts, tools, and materials required for maintenance activities.
Commitment to safe work practices, food safety, and continuous improvement.

Workplace Safety

Follow all company safety policies, procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements.
Comply with Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), machine guarding, electrical safety, and other applicable maintenance safety procedures.
Use required personal protective equipment and follow safe work practices when performing maintenance activities.
Participate in mandatory safety training.
Complete required safety documentation and report deviations from established standards.
Immediately report unsafe conditions, near misses, injuries, and other workplace hazards.
Maintain clean, safe, and organized maintenance work areas and parts storage locations.

Quality & Food Safety

Follow applicable Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), sanitation procedures, and food safety requirements.
Ensure maintenance activities are performed in a manner that protects product quality and prevents contamination.
Follow established procedures for handling maintenance tools, lubricants, parts, and materials in production areas.
Complete required quality and food safety documentation accurately.
Participate in mandatory food safety and quality training.
Follow applicable BRCGS food safety and quality management system requirements and established company procedures.
Report food safety concerns, product contamination risks, and quality system deviations promptly.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

Work is performed in active manufacturing areas, maintenance shops, parts storage areas, and office environments.
Exposure to noise, dust, odors, chemicals, and varying temperatures, including heat and cold.
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, including frequent movement between production and maintenance storage areas.
Regular bending, kneeling, reaching, climbing, and working around manufacturing equipment.
Ability to lift and move maintenance parts, tools, and materials weighing up to 50 pounds, with assistance or mechanical lifting equipment when appropriate.
Ability to safely operate maintenance tools and equipment.
Ability to use computers and inventory systems for documentation, work order management, and parts tracking.
Flexibility to adjust responsibilities based on equipment breakdowns, production needs, and maintenance priorities.
Occasional overtime or schedule adjustments may be required to support maintenance operations.

Why Join Us?

At United Petfood, we believe in investing in our employees and providing opportunities for growth and development. As a Maintenance Technician – Planning & Inventory Support, you will play an important role in keeping our equipment operating efficiently while supporting the planning, organization, and availability of critical maintenance resources.

This position provides an opportunity to develop a broad range of skills across industrial maintenance, inventory management, and maintenance planning within a growing international manufacturing organization.

We offer competitive pay, benefits, and a supportive work environment where your contributions are valued.

Equal Opportunity Employer: United Petfood Producers USA Inc. is an equal opportunity workplace. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.