Maintenance Mechanic

ASTOR CHOCOLATE CORP.•Lakewood Township, NJ

21d•$40 - $42•Onsite

About The Position

Astor Chocolate is seeking a versatile, hands-on Maintenance Mechanic / Manufacturing Maintenance Technician to join its production team. Reporting to the Maintenance Manager, the mechanic troubleshoots, repairs, and maintains production, packaging, and processing equipment in a regulated FDA environment. The role works across mechanical and electrical systems, including PLCs and automated machinery, to keep the facility operating efficiently, mentor operators, and support process improvement initiatives. The position is onsite in Lakewood, New Jersey, with an hourly pay range of $40–$42. Astor Chocolate is a fourth-generation, privately held, family-owned chocolate company that has operated for over 90 years and serves hospitality, travel retail, food service, ASI, and gourmet specialty retail industries.

Requirements

Minimum of 5–10 years of industrial maintenance experience, ideally in food, pharmaceutical, or regulated production facilities.
Hands-on experience troubleshooting packaging and processing equipment.
Experience with power transmission systems, including belts, chains, cams, and bearings; hydraulics; and pneumatics.
Experience with rotating machinery and mechanical assemblies.
Experience with electrical wiring, panels, motors, high-voltage systems, and control circuits.
PLC troubleshooting experience and familiarity with robotics, sensors, and automated control systems.
Ability to read and interpret schematics, mechanical drawings, and technical manuals.
Strong problem-solving skills and ability to apply practical solutions in environments with limited standardization.
Ability to perform preventive maintenance, root cause analysis, and troubleshooting.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Leadership and mentoring ability, including guiding operators and junior technicians.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual in Spanish.
OSHA, NEC/NFPA 70, PLC, or automation certifications.
Forklift or industrial equipment certification.
Proactive, hands-on approach and willingness to raise questions when unsure.
Adaptability to different types of equipment and maintenance challenges.

Responsibilities

Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair packaging and processing equipment in a regulated FDA environment.
Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on motors, conveyors, pneumatic tools, hydraulic systems, rotating machinery, and automated systems, including PLCs, robotics, and sensors.
Install, modify, and repair mechanical and electrical equipment safely and according to specifications.
Conduct inspections, lubrication, adjustments, and calibration to optimize equipment performance and minimize downtime.
Record maintenance and repair activities, parts usage, and inventory using CMMS.
Collaborate with operators and team members to share observations and discuss mechanical and electrical issues.
Contribute to proactive maintenance strategies to improve equipment reliability and reduce unplanned downtime.
Lead small improvement projects and support upgrades or process enhancements with engineering and operations teams.
Mentor junior technicians and operators, promoting safe and efficient work practices.
Manage spare parts inventory and coordinate with vendors to maintain critical stock levels.
Ensure compliance with FDA, GMP, SQF, HACCP, and OSHA standards.