Strouse is seeking a Manufacturing Process & Maintenance Technician to support equipment maintenance, process optimization, and manufacturing improvement initiatives within a fast-paced converting environment. This role combines hands-on mechanical and technical troubleshooting with process-focused problem solving for someone who enjoys learning how equipment functions and identifying opportunities to improve reliability, efficiency, and overall manufacturing performance. Successful candidates will have a strong mechanical foundation, a logical and analytical troubleshooting mindset, and a passion for continuous improvement and practical innovation. This position offers opportunities for technical growth, cross-functional collaboration, and involvement in future automation and manufacturing technology initiatives.
Summary/Objective:
The Manufacturing Process & Maintenance Technician plays a critical role in supporting equipment reliability, manufacturing efficiency, and continuous improvement across Strouse’s various production operations. This position is responsible for performing preventive and corrective maintenance, troubleshooting mechanical and electrical issues, supporting equipment installations and upgrades, and assisting with process optimization initiatives that improve safety, quality, uptime, and productivity. The role requires a hands-on, mechanically minded individual with strong problem-solving skills, a logical approach to troubleshooting, and a willingness to learn and grow within a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This position works closely with production, quality, engineering, and external vendors to help ensure equipment and manufacturing processes operate safely, effectively, and reliably.
Essential Functions:
- Perform routine preventive and corrective maintenance on various types of machinery, per ISO and other regulatory requirements, to prevent unexpected downtime.
- Log maintenance activities and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), as needed.
- Ensure all relevant paperwork, production, and planning activities undertaken on behalf of Strouse are managed with due regard to the required Safety (including lock-out/tag-out), Quality, ISO Standards, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
- Prepare for and execute new equipment installations.
- Inspect, operate, and test equipment to diagnose mechanical, electrical, or software issues and determine how to correct them.
- Disassemble machines, equipment, or devices to access and remove defective parts, using hoists, cranes, hand tools, and/or power tools.
- Perform required equipment repairs, including fabrication and/or outsourcing fabrication of parts, as needed.
- Coordinate with suppliers and vendors for; troubleshooting, tools, and parts procurement and negotiate reasonable related costs.
- Identify opportunities and implement changes to improve manufacturing processes to reduce costs, using knowledge of processes, equipment, assembly methods, quality control standards, materials, etc.
- Apply continuous improvement methods, such as lean manufacturing, to enhance manufacturing quality, reliability, or cost-effectiveness.
- Provide technical expertise and support related to manufacturing.
- Enrich production knowledge on functionality of the equipment.
- Contribute to the creation, improvement, implementation, documentation, and performance of the processes and procedures of The Strouse Corporation Quality Management System.
- Embody Strouse’s values, through respect, and continual focus on process improvement and customer delivery excellence.
Competencies
Attributes:
- Autonomous/Resourceful
- Self-motivated/Strong ownership mentality/ Pride in work
- Hands-on/Preferred production floor presence
- Practical/Analytical/Logical
- Curious/Naturally observant /Attention to detail/Eye for quality
- Strong Interpersonal skills/Team-player mentality
- Effective communicator/Active listening skills
- Adaptable/ Willingness to learn
- Calm under pressures related to manufacturing
- Safety First Mindset
Skills & Abilities:
- Capable of implementing predictive and preventative maintenance
- Proficient in reading schematics, technical drawings, and using diagnostic tools like multimeters
- Good documentation practices and organizational skills
- Proficient in troubleshooting and root cause analysis
Knowledge:
- Solid foundation of mechanical knowledge of machinery and machine components
- Fundamental understanding of general machine mechanics, electronics, hydraulics, pneumatics, and programmable logic controllers (PLCs).
- Process Awareness – Fundamental understanding of the relationship between machine condition, machine settings, and process output
- Process Optimization- Understanding of lean manufacturing and application of process efficiency, waste reduction and downtime reduction
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described herein are those that must be met by the employee (with or without reasonable accommodation) to successfully perform the essential functions of the Manufacturing Process & Maintenance Technician position:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move objects that weigh up to 50 pounds, frequently lift and/or move objects that weight 50 to 75 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move objects that weigh more than 75 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
Travel:
Travel is expected less than 5%, travel ranges from a partial day to multiple days. Primarily in North America but OUS may occur.
Required Education and Experience:
- High School Diploma or GED and 2-5+ years of related work experience in an industrial equipment maintenance, or similar environment
- General industrial machinery and/or manufacturing experience
- High Mechanical Aptitude
Preferred Education and Experience:
- Associate’s degree or technical certification in electronics, industrial maintenance, Process Technology, automation, engineering, or a related field or a related vocational certificate.
- Background in a manufacturing or converting environment
- Exposure to equipment similar to converting machinery
- Strong maintenance, toolroom/machinist, and/or manufacturing technician experience
- Manufacturing Technician Level 1 (MT1) Certification or the Certified Production Technician credential
- OSHA General Industry Credential
- Familiar with automated systems – sensors, cameras, controllers, actuators, HMIs, communication networks robotics, etc.
- AutoCAD design experience
- Electrical experience
- Lean Manufacturing and/or process Improvement experience in manufacturing
- Time management skills with a successful track record of meeting due dates
- Project management experience
Other Duties:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. All employees are expected to perform other duties as assigned to support Strouse’s growing, and fast paced business. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Pay: From $50,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
