Lead Maintenance - Irvine Plant

Northgate Market•Irvine, CA

13d•$32 - $35•Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Maintenance assists the Plant’s Maintenance Manager with the preventive maintenance program and the overall plant infrastructure. The role covers equipment and systems including mechanical systems, pneumatics, hydraulics, electrical routing, vacuum systems, circuit boards, electronic equipment, computer hardware, hot and cold water, gas, steam, condensate return, wastewater, compressed air, and electrical systems. The position also assists with department budgeting, payroll, and parts procurement. Under the Maintenance Manager’s guidance, the Lead Maintenance executes and documents preventive maintenance on a daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis. The position leads mechanical and electrical staff, coordinates with Production, Quality Assurance, Sanitation, and other teams to keep processing equipment operating safely and reliably, and helps ensure the plant is prepared for production. It monitors staff performance and compliance with company standards, supports training and development, and contributes to plant safety, food safety, sanitation, and productivity. The role supports the company’s values and leads by example, maintaining a positive work environment and ensuring fair and consistent treatment of associates. It also assists with inspections, corrective actions, equipment upkeep, utility systems, operational improvements, and monitoring department KPIs. The position is based in a warehouse and office environment that may include extreme temperatures, noise, chemicals, moving machinery, and vibration.

Requirements

High school diploma required.
At least 2 years of experience in a food manufacturing setting.
Strong knowledge of inventory and supply-chain processes.
Basic mechanical skills.
Basic computer skills, particularly with Excel, Word, and Outlook.
Strong organizational and analytical skills.
Ability to think strategically and constructively in a team setting.
Basic written, verbal, communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
Outstanding attendance record.
Forklift certification required.
Food Handlers Certification required.
Ability to lift up to 10 pounds continuously and up to 30 pounds frequently; occasionally exert force up to 40 pounds.
Ability to stand, walk, and sit frequently; use hands and reach with hands and arms continuously; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl occasionally; talk or hear continuously; and taste or smell occasionally.

Responsibilities

Assist the Plant’s Maintenance Manager in managing the preventive maintenance program and plant infrastructure.
Execute preventive maintenance on plant equipment daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly, and maintain detailed records of completion.
Oversee the operation, installation, repair, and maintenance of plant water, gas, steam, condensate return, wastewater, compressed air, and electrical systems.
Assist with department budgeting, including payroll and procurement of parts.
Work with Production, QA, and Sanitation to troubleshoot processing equipment and keep it operating according to its operating manual.
Lead mechanical and electrical staff to ensure maintenance and repairs are completed promptly and the plant is ready for production.
Assist the Maintenance Manager with recruiting, training, coaching, and evaluating staff.
Assist in maintaining appropriate inventory of spare parts and supplies to support equipment reliability and continuous production.
Ensure mechanical and electrical equipment complies with safety and operational regulations and requirements.
Support plant safety and loss-prevention activities, including employee training, enforcement of safety procedures, accident investigations, and timely safety repairs and improvements.
Ensure compliance with facility and department safety rules, HACCP, SSOPs, GMPs, and company food-safety guidelines.
Monitor and document maintenance personnel performance and compliance with company quality, safety, sanitation, and productivity standards.
Lead, coach, develop, and cross-train team members.
Assist the QA Director with fire, FDA, USDA, US Agriculture, and Orange County Health Department inspections, and support responses and corrective actions.
Maintain equipment in optimum operational condition and lead utility-system maintenance to provide continuous heat, steam, electric power, gas, or air for operations.
Inspect machines and equipment for compliance with operational standards.
Execute the plant safety program and lead by example.
Assist in planning and implementing methods and procedures to improve operations, reduce costs, and make more effective use of labor and materials.
Coordinate with management, Production, Warehouse, and Quality Assurance to resolve maintenance problems and recommend operational improvements.
Monitor daily department KPIs.
Perform special projects, other assigned work, and other duties as directed.