1st Shift Maintenance Team Lead

Accepting applications until: May 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST

Location: ELMWOOD PARK, NJ 074070220

Pay Rate: $35.00 - $40.00 Hourly

Position Description

Maintenance Team Lead

Company History

Dr. Praeger’s was founded in 1994 with the mission of bringing delicious frozen food to everyone. It’s not every day that two heart surgeons get into the food business, but over 20 years ago that’s exactly what our dads did. Motivated by what they saw in their practice, our parents set out on a mission to encourage sensible eating. They knew ingredients had to be nutritious and simple, that everything had to be delicious, and that their products needed to be super simple to make. While the world has changed since our little family business first got started, our focus remains true to our dads’ vision, and we work every day to make them proud. To learn more visit: drpraegers.com

Position Overview: The Maintenance Team Lead is a hands-on leadership role responsible for overseeing the daily operations and performance of the maintenance team. This position bridges the gap between mechanics and supervisors by combining technical expertise with strong leadership and communication skills. The ideal candidate will be highly skilled in mechanical and electrical maintenance, fluent in both English and Spanish, and capable of managing and developing team members.

Responsibilities/Technical Duties

• Perform hands-on maintenance, including troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining machinery and equipment such as motors, pneumatic tools, conveyor systems, and production machines.
• Diagnose and resolve mechanical, electrical, and control system issues using precision measuring and testing instruments.
• Conduct preventive maintenance following diagrams, sketches, operations manuals, and engineering specifications.
• Adjust, calibrate, and program equipment, including PLCs, VFDs, HMIs, and other control systems.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards during high-voltage electrical work and other complex repairs.
• Fabricate parts using machine shop tools as needed to minimize downtime.
• Maintain and update technical knowledge through ongoing training and workshops.
  
  
  

Leadership And Team Management

• Lead and supervise a team of mechanics, ensuring tasks are assigned and completed efficiently.
• Provide technical guidance and support to team members to address complex maintenance challenges.
• Assist in the training and onboarding of new mechanics, ensuring team skill development.
• Collaborate with supervisors to create and manage work schedules, balancing maintenance priorities with production needs.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement within the maintenance department.
• Communicate effectively with production and leadership teams to address equipment issues and prioritize repairs.
  
  
  

Operational Responsibilities

• Support the development and implementation of maintenance procedures and schedules.
• Monitor inventory levels of tools, parts, and supplies; coordinate with the Maintenance Coordinator for procurement as needed.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, quality, SOP, and GMP policies and procedures.
• Conduct safety inspections and participate in accident investigations, ensuring corrective actions are implemented.
• Document and communicate maintenance activities, including daily logs, reports, and updates to supervisors.
  
  
  

Qualifications/Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience in maintenance, with a strong background in mechanical and electrical systems.
• Technical degree, university degree, or equivalent on-the-job experience preferred.
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to train, guide, and motivate team members.
• Strong bilingual communication skills (English and Spanish) to effectively interact with a diverse team and workforce.
• Proficient in troubleshooting and repairing PLC hardware and programming, control circuits, and high-voltage systems.
• Familiarity with building systems such as plumbing, HVAC, and refrigeration is a plus.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and maintenance management software.
• Strong commitment to safety and quality standards.
  
  
  

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to walk the facility and diagnose equipment issues.
• Capable of performing physical repairs, including lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with extended periods on the production floor.
  
  
  

Key Differentiation Between Roles

• Mechanic: Focuses on executing technical maintenance tasks and repairs with limited leadership responsibilities.
• Team Lead: Combines hands-on technical expertise with leadership responsibilities, serving as a bridge between mechanics and supervisors to ensure smooth operation and team development.
• Manager: Oversees maintenance department operations, manages administrative functions, and evaluates staff performance.
  
  
  

Disclaimer: Employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodation will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Dr. Praeger's Sensible Foods is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate based on actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability or handicap, sex, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, arrest record, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Our management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities and general treatment during employment.