Maintenance technician

Maintenance Technician

Position Summary

The Maintenance Technician performs preventive, corrective, and emergency maintenance on production equipment, facility systems, and supporting utilities to help ensure safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations. The role troubleshoots equipment failures, completes repairs and changeovers, documents work accurately, and partners with Operations, Quality, Sanitation, and other departments to minimize downtime and protect food safety and product quality.

This job family is structured across three tiers. Higher tiers build on the safety, performance, and technical expectations of prior tiers while demonstrating greater independence, trade proficiency, troubleshooting depth, training responsibility, and leadership capability.

Tier Role Structure

I Entry

Performs routine preventive maintenance and basic mechanical repairs with direction.

Safe work practices, tool use, equipment knowledge, PM completion, and dependable support.

II Intermediate

Works independently on changeovers, mechanical troubleshooting, and selected electrical or pneumatic issues.

Trade proficiency, diagnostics, precision measurement, documentation, and reduced supervision.

III Advanced / Senior

Handles complex mechanical and electrical troubleshooting and serves as a senior technical resource.

PLC capability, root-cause problem solving, training, work coordination, and department step-up responsibility.

Essential Job Functions

All Levels

·       Follow safety, LOTO, GMP, food safety, sanitation, and PPE requirements.

·       Perform preventive maintenance and respond to equipment breakdowns.

·       Troubleshoot, repair, adjust, and maintain production equipment and facility systems.

·       Read work orders, manuals, schematics, and technical specifications.

·       Document maintenance work and parts usage in the CMMS.

·       Coordinate repairs with Operations to minimize downtime.

·       Identify and report equipment, safety, and reliability concerns.

·       Support changeovers, installations, start-ups, and improvement projects.

·       Maintain clean, organized tools, parts, and work areas.

·       Participate in training, maintenance planning, and emergency response as needed.

·       Support maintenance needs across multiple company facilities.

Maintenance Technician I

·       Perform basic preventive maintenance and equipment inspections.

·       Complete basic repairs, adjustments, lubrication, and part replacements.

·       Safely use common hand and power tools.

·       Assist with repairs, changeovers, installations, and troubleshooting.

·       Identify and escalate equipment issues beyond current skill level.

·       Develop technical skills under the guidance of senior technicians.

Maintenance Technician II

·       Independently perform standard equipment changeovers.

·       Demonstrate proficiency in at least one maintenance trade or technical discipline.

·       Troubleshoot and repair mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and basic electrical issues.

·       Use diagnostic and precision-measuring tools.

·       Read and apply schematics, wiring diagrams, and technical specifications.

·       Assist with root-cause analysis and support Technician I development.

Maintenance Technician III

·       Troubleshoot complex mechanical and electrical equipment issues.

·       Troubleshoot PLC-controlled equipment and support authorized programming changes.

·       Lead complex repairs, changeovers, start-ups, and improvement projects.

·       Perform root-cause analysis on recurring equipment failures.

·       Train and coach Maintenance Technicians I and II.

·       Serve as a technical resource for equipment reliability and maintenance improvements.

·       Provide department coverage and work coordination when assigned.

Qualifications

·       High school diploma or GED required; technical training preferred.

·       Industrial or production maintenance experience appropriate to assigned tier.

·       Knowledge of mechanical systems and industrial safety practices.

·       Electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, controls, and/or fabrication skills appropriate to tier.

·       Ability to safely use maintenance, diagnostic, and measuring tools.

·       Ability to read technical manuals, schematics, and work instructions.

·       Basic computer skills; CMMS experience preferred.

·       Effective communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.

·       Relevant trade or equipment certifications preferred.

Tier Placement & Progression

·       Tier placement is based on demonstrated skills, performance, safety, and independence.

·       Advancement requires demonstrated proficiency at the next tier and completion of required training or assessment.

Other Duties and Disclaimer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, or working conditions. Responsibilities may be modified based on business needs and applicable company policies and practices.