Position Summary
The Head Maintenance Technician is responsible for leading all maintenance operations to maximize equipment reliability, minimize downtime, and ensure a safe, efficient manufacturing environment. This is a hands-on leadership position responsible for maintaining production equipment, facility infrastructure, utilities, and preventive maintenance programs while mentoring maintenance personnel and supporting production.
The ideal candidate is an exceptional troubleshooter with strong mechanical and electrical abilities who takes ownership of equipment reliability and continuously seeks opportunities to improve plant performance.
Primary Responsibilities
Equipment Reliability
- · Lead maintenance activities for all production equipment including extrusion systems, feeders, blenders, pelletizers, material conveying systems, packaging equipment, chillers, dryers, cooling systems, dust collection systems, and auxiliary equipment.
- · Diagnose and repair mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and process-related failures.
- · Respond quickly to equipment breakdowns to minimize production downtime.
- · Perform root cause analysis on recurring equipment failures and implement permanent corrective actions.
Preventive & Predictive Maintenance
- · Develop, maintain, and improve preventive maintenance schedules.
- · Utilize predictive maintenance techniques whenever practical.
- · Maintain equipment history and maintenance records.
- · Ensure preventive maintenance tasks are completed on schedule.
Facility Maintenance
- · Maintain building electrical systems, HVAC, plumbing, compressed air systems, lighting, fire protection systems, and general facility infrastructure.
- · Coordinate outside contractors when specialized repairs are required.
- · Ensure the facility remains clean, organized, and compliant with OSHA and company standards.
Leadership
- · Lead and mentor maintenance personnel through training, coaching, and daily direction.
- · Prioritize work orders and communicate maintenance schedules with production.
- · Foster teamwork between maintenance, production, quality, and engineering departments.
- · Promote accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement throughout the maintenance function.
Continuous Improvement
- · Identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability and manufacturing efficiency.
- · Recommend equipment upgrades and process improvements.
- · Participate in capital improvement projects and equipment installations.
- · Support Lean Manufacturing and 5S initiatives.
- Inventory & Documentation
- · Manage spare parts inventory.
- · Maintain accurate maintenance logs and repair documentation.
- · Assist with maintenance budgeting and vendor management.
Safety
- · Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations and company safety policies.
- · Enforce Lockout/Tagout procedures.
- · Promote safe work practices and proper use of PPE.
- · Maintain a clean, organized maintenance shop.
Required Qualifications
- · High School Diploma or GED required.
- · Technical degree or skilled trades certification preferred.
- · Minimum 7 years industrial maintenance experience.
- · Previous maintenance leadership experience preferred.
- · Strong troubleshooting skills across mechanical and electrical systems.
- · Experience working with:
- o Industrial motors
- o 120V, 240V and 480V electrical systems
- o VFDs and motor controls
- o Pneumatic systems
- o Hydraulic systems
- o Bearings, gearboxes, conveyors and drive systems
- o Extruders
- o Pelletizers
- o Material conveying systems
- o Heating and cooling systems
- o Air compressors
- o Industrial pumps
- o PLC troubleshooting (Allen-Bradley preferred)
- · Ability to read blueprints, electrical schematics, and technical manuals.
- · Welding and fabrication experience preferred.
- · Forklift and aerial lift experience preferred.
Physical Requirements
- · Lift up to 55 pounds frequently.
- · Stand and walk on concrete for extended periods.
- · Climb ladders and work at elevated heights.
- · Work safely around moving machinery, high temperatures, and industrial equipment.
- · Ability to respond to occasional after-hours emergencies.
Pay: $25.00 - $40.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
