What are the responsibilities and job description for the Industrial Maintenance Mechanic position at Calico Cottage, Inc.?
Company Information:
Since 1964, we have been the world’s largest supplier of fudge making equipment, ingredients, and marketing expertise. If you ever go on vacation (and we hope you do!), you’ve probably seen and maybe purchased our fudge. Since our fudge is always made fresh in each retail store (and sold under the retailer’s own name), we are the best kept secret in retail confectionary. With a strong presence in numerous countries and a vast network of retailers, including well-known establishments in the tourism sector, we are committed to delivering outstanding products and services.
Our company culture fosters growth and embodies the "Hungry, Humble, Smart" philosophy. We seek individuals who are driven, self-motivated, and always eager to learn and do more. Being humble, our team members prioritize the team over self and lack excessive ego or concerns about status. Additionally, they possess strong interpersonal skills, enabling them to work effectively with others. We value a strong work ethic and a positive & vibrant work environment.
Job Summary:
We are seeking a skilled and safety-conscious Industrial Maintenance Mechanic to perform preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance on production and facility equipment in a food manufacturing environment. Reporting to the Regional Maintenance. Planner and Reliability Manager, this position requires hands-on proficiency in electro-mechanical, pneumatic, and basic control systems, along with practical fabrication and troubleshooting skills. The Maintenance Mechanic plays a key role in ensuring equipment reliability, supporting production uptime, and maintaining compliance with safety and food manufacturing standards.
Key Responsibilities:
Maintenance & Equipment Repair
Perform troubleshooting, repair, and adjustment of mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems used in processing and packaging equipment.
Diagnose and repair issues involving bearings, chains, gearboxes, valves, motors, conveyors, pumps, and other rotating or driven components.
Read and interpret equipment manuals, blueprints, and technical schematics to perform accurate repairs.
Perform routine and emergency maintenance work in response to equipment breakdowns or performance issues.
Assist with installation, startup, and testing of new or modified equipment.
Preventative & Predictive Maintenance
Execute scheduled preventive maintenance (PM) tasks as defined in the CMMS.
Inspect, lubricate, calibrate, and adjust machinery to prevent unexpected failures.
Record completed work accurately and provide feedback on task effectiveness or recurring issues.
Support development and improvement of maintenance procedures and schedules.
Participate in vibration, temperature, or visual inspections for predictive maintenance activities.
Fabrication & Technical Support
Perform light welding, cutting, and basic metal fabrication to support maintenance and equipment modifications.
Assist with the fabrication and installation of guards, brackets, and supports following safety standards.
Use appropriate tools and materials to perform repairs to production and support systems.
Collaborate with engineering and production teams to identify process improvement opportunities.
Controls & Electrical Support
Assist in troubleshooting electrical circuits, sensors, relays, and basic control wiring.
Replace or repair switches, photo eyes, solenoids, and control devices as directed.
Support integration with PLC-controlled systems by identifying mechanical causes of control-related issues.
Always follow lockout/tagout (LOTO) and electrical safety practices.
Safety, Food Safety & Compliance
Follow all company, OSHA, and NFPA 70E safety standards when performing maintenance work.
Adhere to GMP, HACCP, and SQF food safety and sanitation requirements.
Maintain tools, work areas, and maintenance shop in clean and organized condition.
Participate in safety meetings, audits, and training sessions.
Immediately report any unsafe conditions, near misses, or potential food safety hazards.
Continuous Improvement & Collaboration
Support continuous improvement and reliability initiatives to reduce downtime and improve OEE.
Provide input to improve the design, maintainability, and reliability of equipment.
Work collaboratively with production and sanitation teams to schedule and prioritize work.
Participate in root cause analysis and assist with corrective and preventive action implementation.
Qualifications:
Education/Experience
High school diploma or equivalent required; technical or trade school certification preferred.
Minimum 3–5 years of industrial maintenance experience, preferably in food, beverage, or CPG manufacturing.
Demonstrated experience troubleshooting mechanical, pneumatic, and electrical systems.
Knowledge of GMP and food production maintenance practices is highly desirable.
Technical Skills
Proficient with hand tools, power tools, and diagnostic instruments (multimeters, gauges, calipers).
Ability to read mechanical and electrical schematics. • Basic knowledge of PLCs, sensors, and control wiring.
Welding and basic fabrication experience (MIG, TIG, or stick).
Experience using a CMMS for work order tracking and documentation.
Soft Skills
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Reliable, self-motivated, and able to work independently or within a team.
Committed to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
Effective communication and documentation skills.
Flexibility to work overtime, weekends, or different shifts as production requires.
As an integral member of our team, you will enjoy a comprehensive benefits program that includes:
- Competitive Salary
- Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
- Company Paid Long Term Disability Insurance
- Paid Time Off Plan and Paid Holidays
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Health and/or Dependent Care Expenses
- Length of Service Awards
- Employee Assistance Program (employee benefit program that assist employees with personal problems and/or work-related problems that may impact their job performance, health, mental, & emotional well-being).
- 401(k) Plan
- Life/AD&D Insurance
Performance Metrics (KPI Framework)
KPI Category Example Metrics
Equipment Reliability Mean time between failures (MTBF); mean time to repair (MTTR); OEE support
PM Compliance Preventive maintenance completion rate; overdue work order reduction
Safety & Compliance Zero recordable injuries; LOTO compliance; PPE adherence
Quality & Food Safety Zero foreign material incidents; GMP compliance; maintenance audit scores
Response & Efficiency Response time to breakdowns, work order accuracy, and downtime reduction contributions
Want to make your world a little sweeter? Come join the Calico Cottage team!
Job Type: Full-time/Hourly
Work Location: In Office in Belleville, Il.
Salary: $34.00/Hour
Calico Cottage provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.