What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Technician, R&D Pilot Plant - Mechanical Maintenance position at The J.M. Smucker Co.?
Your Opportunity as the Senior Technician, R&D Pilot Plant
As a Senior Technician, R&D, you’ll be the hands-on expert keeping our Process Research Lab running at its best—leading equipment maintenance, supporting experimental work, and partnering across teams to drive new capabilities. This role blends technical skill, problem-solving, and collaboration to keep projects moving and innovation thriving.
Location: Orrville, OH
Work Arrangements: Onsite, Monday - Friday
In This Role You Will
What we are looking for:
The Right Place for You
We are bold, kind, strive to do the right thing, we play to win, and we believe in a strong community that thrives together. Our culture is rooted in our Basic Beliefs, and we believe in supporting every employee by meeting their physical, emotional, and financial needs.
Stay connected with us on LinkedIn®
We're an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, age, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status.
As a Senior Technician, R&D, you’ll be the hands-on expert keeping our Process Research Lab running at its best—leading equipment maintenance, supporting experimental work, and partnering across teams to drive new capabilities. This role blends technical skill, problem-solving, and collaboration to keep projects moving and innovation thriving.
Location: Orrville, OH
Work Arrangements: Onsite, Monday - Friday
In This Role You Will
- Implement maintenance strategy for processing and auxiliary equipment and collaborate on spare parts strategy
- Lead development of CIL (clean/inspect/lubricate) processes and templates for routine maintenance
- Perform routine maintenance and effectively delegate maintenance items managing completion according to schedule
- Support development of team member capabilities in equipment maintenance and provide feedback when necessary
- Lead advanced troubleshooting and repair of equipment and mechanical systems
- Schedule and work closely with outside resources completing maintenance and installing new equipment in the Process Laboratory
- Submit purchase requisition requests for spare parts and on-site vendor service
- Complete tracking and gap analysis for work order, PM, and CIL completion and other critical metrics
- Provide logistics leadership including management and housekeeping of shipping docks; operation of powered industrial vehicles; and ownership of associated processes and documentation for shipping, receiving, and dock storage
- Serve as primary point of contact for external warehouse and recycling partners with responsibility for coordinating logistics and managing inventories
- Complete step-up card requirements to become qualified on analytical and base operating equipment set-up and operation
- Update standard operating procedures (SOPs), job safety aids (JSAs), and lock out tag out (LOTO) documents as needed
- Ensure compliance with all Quality Assurance (QA) and Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE) standards by adhering to regulatory requirements, company policies, and best practices to maintain a safe and high-quality pilot plant environment.
- Provide updates in daily morning meeting of prior day’s work and work for the current day; work and communicate effectively and productively with peers and project teams
- Attend and successfully complete internal/external training courses determined by the Company to maintain/build technical capabilities
What we are looking for:
- High school diploma with 6 years of relevant laboratory or record retention experience, or Associate’s degree with 3 years of relevant experience (based on area of study)
- Strong mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills
- Experience with data collection, tracking, and basic analysis (e.g., Excel)
- Strong planning, organization, and communication skills
- Detail-oriented with effective time management
- Self-motivated with a results-driven mindset
- Experience operating equipment (e.g., forklift, electric pallet jack)
- Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word)
- Mechanical and/or electrical experience
- Experience with coffee processing equipment (roasters, grinders, extraction systems)
- Experience with preventive maintenance systems (PM/CIL) and mechanical troubleshooting
- Knowledge of food safety, GMPs, and sanitation practices in a pilot plant or lab environment
The Right Place for You
We are bold, kind, strive to do the right thing, we play to win, and we believe in a strong community that thrives together. Our culture is rooted in our Basic Beliefs, and we believe in supporting every employee by meeting their physical, emotional, and financial needs.
Stay connected with us on LinkedIn®
We're an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, age, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status.