Maintenance Subject Matter Expert (SME)- Filler/Seamer

Mark Anthony Group is an entrepreneurial drinks company, built from the ground up by thinking differently, innovating and doing the unexpected. Our company is rooted in family values, a bold vision and relentless determination to continuously raise the bar and make a positive difference in consumers' lives. Founded in 1972, we’ve grown organically from a one-person import wine business into an international drinks company whose hallmarks include a portfolio of luxury wineries and iconic beverage brands, including White Claw® Hard Seltzer, Mike’s Hard Lemonade, and Cayman Jack.

Role Purpose:

The Maintenance Subject Matter Expert (SME)- Filler/Seamer provides in-depth technical expertise in a specialized focus area: Filling/Seaming. The SME owns the processes, drives reliability and efficiency improvements, and serves as a key resource for solving complex problems. This role ensures safe, high-quality, and efficient operations by leading troubleshooting efforts, developing standards and best practices, mentoring technicians, and driving continuous improvement initiatives in partnership with not only cross-functional but also cross-departmental teams. Serves as the primary technical authority for all filling and seaming systems, ensuring product quality, packaging integrity, equipment reliability, and operational performance through ownership of filler and seamer technologies.

Accountabilities & Impact: 

Technical Expertise 

• Act as the technical authority for all filler and seamer equipment.
• Own equipment centerlines and critical operating parameters for fillers, seamers, can handling systems, and associated inspection equipment.
• Lead troubleshooting of seam defects, low fills, high fills, foam issues, product loss, and filler/seamer performance losses.
• Develop expertise in seam evaluation, teardown analysis, timing adjustments, and machine setup.
• Monitor equipment health through predictive maintenance technologies and condition monitoring techniques.
• Maintain expert-level knowledge of OEM equipment and recommended maintenance practices.

Process Improvement 

• Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives to eliminate recurring issues and production bottlenecks.
• Collaborate with reliability and engineering teams to execute projects focused on enhancing performance, efficiency, and safety.
• Actively participate in Root Cause Analysis (RCA), overhaul planning, and line improvement initiatives.
• Leads OR Co-Leads all Kaizen/RCA events related to equipment centers they are considered SME over.
• Document and implement OEM recommendations, ensuring consistent application across teams.
• Perform other various job duties as required.
• Lead initiatives focused on reducing leakers, knocked-down flanges, low fills, product loss, and unplanned downtime.
• Own root cause analysis related to packaging quality defects originating from the filling and seaming process.
• Drive OEE improvements for filler and seamer systems.
• Champion best practices for changeovers, startup procedures, and sanitation recovery

Training & Mentorship 

• Train and mentor technicians, operators, and peers on technical standards, troubleshooting methods, and operator-based care. (Train the Trainer certification required)
• Support skill development within the maintenance team to build multi-craft capabilities.
• Assess and validate skills for Best in Craft certifications and internal training programs.
• Model respect by standing up for others and fostering an inclusive environment where every team member feels valued.
• Raise others up by seeing their strengths, encouraging growth, and inspiring them to be their best selves both personally and professionally.
• Train technicians and operators on seam inspection methods, seamer setup, filler adjustments, troubleshooting methodologies, and centerline management.
• Develop capability within the maintenance team to independently diagnose filler and seamer failures.

Project Support

• Provide technical leadership on capital projects, upgrades, and installations.
• Partner with planners to improve Preventive Maintenance (PM) programs and reliability strategies.
• Ensure project results are documented and integrated into standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Create new SOPs where none exist to ensure consistency, clarity, and sustainable best practices.
• Update and audit Centerlines
• Lead technical support for filler and seamer upgrades, overhauls, and equipment installations.
• Support validation of new filling technologies and quality inspection systems.

Safety & Compliance 

• Model and enforce all safety, food safety, and GMP requirements.
• Ensure adherence to OSHA, EPA, and internal safety/environmental standards.
• Lead by example in proper use of PPE, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), and all other safe work practices.

Equipment Ownership & Governance 

• Own equipment centerlines and maintenance standards.
• Approve technical changes impacting assigned equipment.
• Maintain equipment-specific training materials.
• Lead annual maintenance strategy reviews.
• Own critical spare parts strategy and recommendations.
• Serve as the site's primary technical escalation resource for assigned equipment.

Skills & Experiences Needed:

• High school diploma or equivalent required; technical certification, Associate’s, or higher degree preferred.
• 3–5 years of industrial maintenance or reliability engineering experience in Filling/Seaming operations.
• Strong mechanical and electrical troubleshooting skills, including PLCs, VFDs, and instrumentation.
• Proficient in interpreting schematics, process diagrams, and OEM manuals.
• Skilled in CMMS systems, MS Office, and technical documentation.
• Minimum Maintenance Tech 2 Level (BIC)
• No written warning or higher-level corrective action on file for last 12 months

The Maintenance Subject Matter Expert (SME) position is well-suited for you if you have:

• Zero OSHA violations, recordable accidents, or lost-time incidents.
• 92% “wrench time” and timely completion of PMs.
• 100% completion of required documentation and work orders.
• Demonstrated reduction of recurring downtime through implemented solutions.
• Contribution to technician skills growth and knowledge transfer.
• Demonstrate calculable team growth through mentoring others in process improvement projects and achieving documentable OEE improvements within our Best in Craft model.
• Reduction in seamer-related downtime.
• Reduction in leaker and flange defect rates.
• Improved filler efficiency and product yield.
• Reduced product loss and giveaway.
• Sustained filler/seamer OEE improvement.

Working conditions:

• This position is exposed to occupational hazards, including but not limited to, high noise levels, physical obstacles, exposure to chemicals, etc.
• Subject to extreme heat/cold temperatures
• Must have sufficient endurance to perform tasks over long periods of time.
• Fast-paced and constantly changing work environment.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to stand/move 8-12 hours per day.
• Ability to ascend/descend stairs/ladders throughout shift.

• Fine motor skills and dexterity for manipulation

• Must wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including (but not limited to) bump cap, safety steel toe shoes, safety glasses, dust masks or PAPRs.
• Must adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).

This position has been identified as a safety sensitive position within the state of Arizona.

At Mark Anthony, we exist to Unearth the Extraordinary:

Our Purpose is not just a statement; it is a call to action that binds us together and ignites our passion for making a difference. It is the driving force behind why we do what we do every single day, connecting our global organization across all business units, roles, and locations. We are:

Best in Our Craft
We set the standard with a pursuit of excellence that can be found in everything from our products and processes to our plants and people.​

Ambitiously Curious
We stay curious, dreaming big and navigating the unknown with an enduring belief in better.​​

Made With Humility
We bring humility, authenticity, fun, and support to every collaboration and celebrate wins as a team.

Daringly Disruptive
We disrupt the status quo, moving fast to seize opportunities and acting scrappy ​to stay ahead of industry giants.​