What are the responsibilities and job description for the Maintenance Mechanic position at Golden Specialty Foods, LLC?
Food Manufacturing Maintenance Mechanic / Technician
Job Summary:
The Maintenance Mechanic / Technician supports food manufacturing operations by maintaining, repairing, installing, and improving production equipment, utilities, and facility systems. This role ensures equipment reliability, safety, compliance, and minimal downtime through hands-on maintenance, preventive maintenance programs, and coordination with operations and outside contractors.
This position combines mechanical, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, and equipment maintenance responsibilities in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.
Core Responsibilities:
Equipment & Production Support
- Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair production equipment including fillers, cappers, kettles, conveyors, boilers, compressors, pumps, and utilities
- Diagnose mechanical, pneumatic, steam, electrical, and control system issues using schematics, blueprints, meters, and testing devices
- Perform equipment installation, alignment, balancing, calibration, and minor programming adjustments for VFDs and PLC-controlled systems
- Optimize equipment uptime and production reliability through rapid response and root-cause analysis
- Read and interpret blueprints, electrical diagrams, and equipment manuals
Preventive Maintenance & Records
- Execute and document preventive and corrective maintenance using logs, spreadsheets, and databases
- Maintain critical equipment and calibration records (boilers, compressors, fillers, seamers, grinders, inverters, etc.)
- Support or manage preventive maintenance schedules, spare parts inventory, and purchasing
- Identify risks, worn components, and improvement opportunities before failures occur
Facility & Building Maintenance
- Perform general building maintenance including:
- Walls, doors, windows, floors, stairs, vents
- Restrooms and plumbing fixtures
- Painting, drywall, tile, light carpentry
- Maintain lighting, electrical outlets, and basic power systems
- Perform TIG welding, fabrication, and metal repair as needed
- Maintain sanitation equipment and food-safe facility infrastructure
Safety, Compliance & Quality
- Follow lockout/tagout, 5S, and all company safety procedures
- Maintain compliance with:
- USDA, FDA, SSOP, HACCP
- OSHA, Cal/OSHA
- Environmental and safety agencies (EPA, AQMD, Public Health, Building & Safety, etc.)
- Support zero-defect and right-the-first-time manufacturing goals
- Conduct inspections and address hazards immediately
Team & Contractor Support
- Assist and support other maintenance technicians and operations staff
- Train or mentor junior technicians when assigned
- Coordinate and monitor outside contractors to ensure safety, quality, and schedule compliance
- Communicate equipment issues, downtime, and repair status to operations and leadership
Required Knowledge & Skills
- Strong mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and equipment troubleshooting skills
- Understanding of motors, pumps, conveyors, boilers, refrigeration, and power systems (120V–480V, single- and three-phase, Delta/Wye)
- Ability to read drawings, schematics, and technical manuals
- Ability to use hand tools, power tools, test equipment, and precision instruments
- Computer skills for maintenance tracking, email, and documentation
- Strong problem-solving, organization, and time-management abilities
- Ability to work independently, prioritize work, and respond to emergencies
Experience & Education
- Minimum:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- 3 years hands-on maintenance experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment
- Bilingual (Spanish/English)
- Preferred:
- 3–5 years in food manufacturing or packaging
- Experience with PM programs, VFDs, PLCs, boilers, and conveyors
- Supervisory or lead-tech experience
Licenses & Certifications
- Valid driver’s license with clean DMV record
- Forklift certifiable
Physical & Work Requirements
- Stand, walk, bend, climb, reach, kneel, and work on uneven surfaces
- Lift up to 50 lbs
- Comfortable working on ladders
- Work in confined spaces, noise, dust, heat, and non-climate-controlled environments
- Perform repetitive motion and detailed mechanical tasks
- Work extended hours, weekends, holidays, or on-call as required