OPPORTUNITY 

Position: Maintenance Technician, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas

Reports to: Maintenance Supervisor, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas

Location: Waukegan, Illinois, about 40 miles north of Chicago’s Loop

Position Summary:

• The primary role for the Maintenance Associate is to perform assigned duties connected to the general plant and equipment maintenance.

Key Responsibilities may include:

• Perform preventive and predictive maintenance on food-processing equipment (conveyors, mixers, packaging machines, ovens, pumps, motors, etc.).
• Diagnose mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and electrical issues.
• Repair or replace faulty components such as bearings, belts, sprockets, shafts, sensors, pumps and valves.
• Perform general building repair to include painting, drywall repair etc.
• Reduce downtime by responding quickly to breakdowns. 
• Follow GMPs (Good Manufacturing Practices), HACCP, and facility sanitation requirements.
• Ensure equipment repairs support hygienic operation (no contamination risks).
• Use food-safe lubricants and materials. 
• Assist with cleaning-in-place (CIP) systems and equipment disassembly for sanitation crews. 
• Complete PM maintenance logs, work orders, and downtime reports.
• Collaborate with production supervisors, quality teams, and sanitation.
• Train operators on proper machine use and basic troubleshooting.
• Ability to use hand and power tools safely and effectively
• Provide technical support during product changeovers.
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Stop any act or process that seems dangerous or unhealthy.
• Create positive relationships with all fellow employees.
• Follow all established departmental/company rules and regulations, including but not limited to work, safety, housekeeping, uniform, and security rules.
• Follow security protocol and report any suspicious activity and/or security violations.
• Provide Feedback to the Management team to share ideas and improve operation, recommending, supporting, and implementing continuous improvement activities and process and procedure improvements to optimize results and improve quality of delivery.
• Work effectively with other departments that support the manufacturing process.
• Must be punctual and timely in meeting all requirements of performance, including, but not limited to, attendance standards and work deadlines; beginning and ending assignments on time; and scheduled work breaks; where applicable.

Personal Characteristics:

• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations.
• Technical Skills - Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.
• Internal Working Relationships – Develops and maintains courteous and effective working relationships with Team, employees of other departments and any other representatives of external organizations.

• Business Acumen - Demonstrates knowledge of market and competition; Aligns work with strategic goals; Analyzes market and completion and adapts strategy to changing conditions.
• Business Necessity – The needs of the employer may be dependent on responding to and anticipating rapidly changing external and internal demands in all aspects of how business is conducted. This may include, but is not limited to, organization structure, finances goals, personnel, work processes, technology, and customer demands. Therefore, it may become necessary to make modifications to how business is conducted, and work is accomplished, with minimal or no advance notice to employees. Accordingly, the employees must be capable of adapting, with minimal or no advanced notice, to changes in how business is conducted, and work is accomplished, with no diminishment in work performance.
• Safety and Security –All employees are responsible for observing safety and security procedures as applicable and reporting potentially unsafe conditions to management.

Knowledge and Physical Abilities

• Standing / Walking 85%, stooping/bending 15%.
• Reach at times above shoulder/ below knee level
• Lift/ Carry up to 50 lb.
• Must be physically able to climb ladders, bend, or crawl into awkward spaces.
• Good hand grasping and fingering skills.
• Effectively communicate in a professional manner with all levels of management, staff and other department personnel.
• Must be a self-starter, highly motivated and results oriented.
• Ability to effectively manage time and prioritize high-demands tasks.
• Convey a positive, professional, and helpful image to both internal and external customers.
• Ability to read, speak, and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or one to three months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.