Apprentice Maintenance

Sonoco • Horsham, PA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

Sonoco is hiring a Maintenance Apprentice in Horsham, Pennsylvania. The apprenticeship typically lasts four years, with yearly pay increases after on-the-job training competencies are met and while the employee remains in good standing. The apprentice reports directly to the Shift Supervisor and completes required on-the-job and classroom training while learning to install, maintain, and troubleshoot machinery and tooling.

The role includes operating and setting up machine tools, lathes, and grinders; interpreting drawings and work orders; machining and repairing parts to specified tolerances; and performing preventive maintenance, welding, and heat treating as needed. The apprentice must follow plant safety, food safety, standard operating, and environmental procedures, maintain an orderly work area, and communicate relevant information to the next shift.

The schedule is a rotating 3/4/4/3 pattern of 12-hour shifts, with flexibility between days and nights on a monthly basis. The posting states 36–40 hours weekly and also requires working assigned schedules, overtime on a regular basis, and being on call as directed by management. Sonoco will pay 100% of approved schooling costs after grants and scholarships. The employee must maintain a 3.0 school average and remain with Sonoco for at least three years after earning the degree or repay the schooling cost.

Requirements

• GED or high school diploma.
• Experience with hand tools.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds.
• Ability and interest in completing an Associate degree or certification in Mechatronics or a related manufacturing maintenance field; the program must be approved by Sonoco’s Corporate Maintenance Excellence team.
• Maintain at least a 3.0 average during schooling.
• Ability to communicate and write effectively, read and comprehend instructions, and follow complicated verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to work a rotating 12-hour schedule, flex between days and nights monthly, work overtime regularly, and be on call as directed.
• Must remain employed by Sonoco for at least three years after obtaining the degree or repay the cost of schooling.

Responsibilities

• Comply with established job safety practices, policies, and procedures, and support the plant food safety system.
• Install, maintain, and troubleshoot machinery and tooling.
• Ensure parts and tooling meet instructions, prints, work orders, and precision requirements for tolerance and finish.
• Interpret drawings and determine dimensions, indices, and tapers; machine raw materials to finished dimensions within specified tolerances.
• Use shop equipment and set up and operate machine tools, lathes, and grinders.
• Select, grind, and adjust tools, including selecting appropriate speeds and feed rates.
• Repair and maintain assigned machines and equipment, including performing preventive maintenance.
• Perform welding and heat treating as needed.
• Receive tools and paperwork and establish and maintain logbooks.
• Keep the work area organized and clean; perform cleanup, painting, and housekeeping duties.
• Communicate pertinent information to the next shift.
• Monitor supply conditions and inform management as needed; provide support for plant facilities maintenance as needed.
• Initiate, review, and follow standard operating procedures for the area of responsibility.
• Maintain effective working relationships and a positive, productive work environment.
• Work the assigned rotating schedule and overtime, and be on call as directed by management.
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance and perform duties without posing a direct threat to people or property.
• Follow company policies, procedures, practices, and standards of conduct.
• Attend environmental training, comply with hazardous-waste and other environmental requirements, recognize waste streams, minimize waste, and properly dispose of, segregate, accumulate, and store waste.
• Complete required on-the-job and classroom training.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, with FSA and HSA options.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Wellbeing tools and resources, including an Employee Assistance Program.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Company-paid and voluntary employee-paid insurance plans, including life, personal accident, and disability insurance.
• Tuition reimbursement; the posting also states Sonoco will pay 100% of approved schooling costs after grants and scholarships.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED