Maintenance Mechanic

Vantage Specialty Chemicals • Gurnee, IL

27d • $35 - $40

About The Position

The Maintenance Mechanic repairs and maintains plant machinery and mechanical equipment using diagrams, sketches, operation manuals, manufacturer specifications, hand and power tools, and precision measuring and testing instruments. The role is multi-skilled in industrial maintenance, including pump repair, welding, basic electricity, and pipefitting. It may also involve generating, collecting, storing, and preparing shipments of hazardous waste. Specific expertise in pump maintenance and precision-tool alignment is desired.

The position performs troubleshooting, inspections, preventive and corrective maintenance, repairs, equipment installation, and general building maintenance. It requires collaboration with plant personnel, contractors, and vendors, compliance with safety and housekeeping practices, and availability for after-hours call-ins as needed.

Requirements

• High school education.
• At least 4 years of experience in a mechanical-related field.
• 3–5 years of applicable maintenance experience in a manufacturing process plant.
• Ability to identify piping sizes, materials, fittings, and connections; assemble piping from drawings or schematics; and operate a pipe-threading machine.
• Knowledge of steam traps, their operation, applications, types, and weaknesses.
• Ability to identify different valves, including gate, globe, ball, check, and actuated valves, and understand their uses.
• Ability to set up a welder, prepare materials, select appropriate electrodes, and demonstrate stick, wire-feed, positional, and structural/fabrication welding.
• Ability to bend copper tubing and sweat-solder copper piping joints.
• Knowledge of centrifugal, metering, positive-displacement (AODD), and vacuum pumps, including pump removal and reinstallation, components, opening pumps, replacing seal cartridges, setting centrifugal impeller gaps, and operating and using vacuum pumps.
• Ability to replace a pump unassisted, perform rough alignment with a straight edge, and complete alignment using a laser-alignment tool.
• Knowledge and demonstrated competency in the use of hand and power tools.
• Ability to safely operate a forklift, scissor lift, and articulating lift after formal training.
• Knowledge of plate-and-frame and shell-and-tube heat exchangers, including procedures and information needed to open them and replace a plate-and-frame exchanger.
• Knowledge of filling equipment, conveyor systems, palletizer robots, and stretch-wrappers.
• Basic computer skills and ability to navigate and use a maintenance-based work-order program.
• No in-Vantage Safety or Disciplinary Violations in the last 12 months.
• Ability to wear a harness and work safely at heights, including on lifts, scaffolding, and high catwalks.
• Ability to follow plant safety rules, climb stairs, and walk in slippery conditions.
• Ability to safely lift at least 50 pounds.
• Ability to pass a medical respirator fit test for respirator or fresh-air use.
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors in hot and cold weather environments.

Nice To Haves

• Specific expertise in pump maintenance and alignment using precision tools.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot and repair plant-wide equipment, including mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems.
• Conduct and document inspections of safety equipment, process equipment, and forklifts.
• Obtain safe work permits for maintenance or project work as required.
• Manage workload to meet established deadlines and Standard Operating Procedure requirements.
• Recommend new or revised Preventive Maintenance Work Orders to improve equipment uptime.
• Maintain housekeeping and sanitation standards in work areas, shop areas, parts stores, and tool locations.
• Interact effectively with employees in a team environment and communicate with outside contractors and vendors as required.
• Prepare reports documenting work performed and damaged, worn, or broken parts.
• Collaborate with plant personnel on Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) and line breaks.
• Modify machinery as needed and confer with the product manager regarding test results and additional alterations.
• Assemble, install, and maintain mechanical systems, machinery, and equipment.
• Troubleshoot machinery and perform routine preventive maintenance, including visual and sound inspections.
• Inspect equipment for hazards, wear, leaks, and other conditions requiring maintenance or shutdown.
• Install replacement machine parts and identify and correct causes of unexpected breakdowns.
• Read, interpret, and follow instructions and operation manuals.
• Clean, repair, and install equipment and parts as needed, using a variety of hand and power tools.
• Comply with health and safety regulations and perform general building maintenance as assigned.
• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance inspections and service on production equipment, including piping, valves, steam traps, heat exchangers, pumps, motors, conveyors, and compressed-air systems.
• Be available for after-hours call-ins as needed.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, HSA, dental, and vision coverage.
• Flexible spending accounts for limited purpose, dependent care, and commuter/parking expenses.
• Life and AD&D insurance.
• Accident, hospital indemnity, and critical illness insurance.
• Short- and long-term disability.
• Employee Assistance Program and identity theft protection.
• Paid time off and parental leave.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Eligibility to participate in a short-term incentive program.

What This Job Offers

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