Industrial Maintenance Technician Food Manufacturing

Dairy Farmers of America•Schuylkill Haven, PA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

DFA Schuylkill Haven, a cultured dairy facility formerly known as Lehigh Valley Dairy, is hiring a second-shift Maintenance Technician. The position offers work with new equipment, automation, and technology. The maintenance skill areas include motors, pumps, conveyors, gearboxes, electrical circuits, pneumatics, hydraulics, VFDs, instrumentation, and automated equipment, with opportunities for advanced technicians to use PLC and HMI troubleshooting skills. The technician applies advanced or specialized maintenance and mechanical skills to keep equipment operating effectively and efficiently. Work includes general and preventive maintenance, overhauls, modifications, fabrication, welding, and mechanical and electrical troubleshooting and repair. The role works with limited supervision, handles complex problems and new assignments, and serves as a subject matter resource for less-experienced colleagues. The work supports production, processing, packaging, and utility equipment in a food manufacturing environment. Employees must follow safety procedures, DFA good manufacturing practices, and applicable regulatory, food-safety, quality, and sanitation requirements. The position requires working in a cold, wet, moderately to highly noisy environment and may involve exposure to fumes, airborne particles, chemicals, or allergens. Flexible hours, overtime, weekends, and holidays may be required.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent; the posting also lists a high school diploma or GED as preferred in a later qualifications section.
Four to six years of maintenance, mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electronic, computer-controlled equipment, PLC, HVAC, or related experience, preferably in manufacturing. A later section lists two to three years of related experience and minimum one-year experience in a maintenance role in manufacturing, preferably food and beverage.
Experience with equipment such as lubricating, cleaning, material handling, motor control, relay control, process control, and packaging equipment; a later section specifies at least one year with a variety of such equipment.
At least one year of experience with one or more of electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electronic, computer-controlled equipment, PLC, or HVAC, as stated in the later qualifications section.
Ability to use and handle basic hand tools, maintenance tools, power tools, electric meters, and material-handling equipment safely.
Knowledge of charts, tables, drawings, specifications, schedules, and wiring diagrams.
Ability to inspect equipment, recognize potential problems, and take corrective action to prevent component failures or downtime.
Ability to independently perform complex maintenance activities and repairs and complete projects from planning through installation.
Ability to suggest options and ideas for current processes or procedures, adapt to change, work effectively in a team, and diagnose problems and find solutions.
Clear verbal and written communication skills.
Basic computer skills.
Ability to perform arithmetic using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
Ability to read, write, and speak English.
Must pass pre-employment screenings, including drug, background, and criminal checks.
Must be able to stand, walk, kneel, and bend for virtually the entire shift; occasionally climb or balance; and lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.
Must be willing to work flexible hours, including overtime, weekends, and holidays.

Nice To Haves

Graduation from a trade or technical school in electrical, programmable controls (PLC/HMI), mechanical, welding/fabrication, refrigeration, plumbing, or a related area.
Experience with ammonia refrigeration systems.

Responsibilities

Perform planned, unplanned, and emergency maintenance and repairs on production, processing, packaging, and utility equipment or systems, following safety procedures.
Perform preventive maintenance and routine equipment inspections to assess reliability and performance.
Read and interpret technical procedures, electrical schematics, service manuals, and work orders to perform maintenance and service.
Support installation of new equipment.
Assist operators with training or troubleshooting to minimize equipment downtime.
Complete work orders in a timely manner while maintaining quality standards.
Use hand and power tools, electric meters, and material-handling equipment.
Communicate with other departments, management, and employees about problems or concerns that may restrict production efficiency.
Document repairs and complete required paperwork clearly, legibly, and accurately in accordance with standard operating procedures.
Stay up to date on products, equipment, technology, and techniques.
Identify process-improvement opportunities using a continuous-improvement mindset.
Anticipate parts requirements, follow purchasing procedures, and obtain parts ahead of planned work.
Maintain safe working conditions and comply with applicable health and safety regulations.
Follow DFA good manufacturing practices and corporate regulatory, food-safety, quality, and sanitation requirements.
Provide guidance and subject-matter support to less-experienced colleagues on complex problems or assignments.