Maintenance - Refrigeration Technician

Smithfield Foods • Sioux Center, IA

7d • $28 - $38 • Onsite

About The Position

If you are currently employed at Smithfield, please log into Workday and submit your application through the Jobs Hub. A great job-and a great future-awaits you at Smithfield Foods. We are an American food company with a leading position in packaged meats and fresh pork products. We’re looking for motivated people who want to join our team and grow lasting and meaningful careers with us. Apply Now! Your Opportunity Our team members receive industry-leading wages and are eligible for great benefits packages: Competitive Starting Pay - $27.75-$37.75/hr $1.00/hr Shift Differential for 2nd Shift or 3rd Shift Comprehensive Health Insurance, Retirement Benefits and More In addition, we offer opportunities for career growth and professional development. JOB DESCRIPTION: The Maintenance Technician is responsible for troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining food processing and packaging equipment to support safe, efficient, and reliable plant operations. This role performs mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and basic electrical maintenance on production equipment and supports plant utility systems including refrigeration and steam as assigned.

Requirements

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.
• High school diploma or general education degree (GED) and 1+ years of related experience and/or training in an industrial mechanical maintenance or food manufacturing environment; or 4 years’ direct experience in an industrial mechanical maintenance or food manufacturing maintenance environment.
• Ability to function effectively in a team environment and interact productively with all levels of team personnel and outside contractors.
• Ability to operate a forklift, genie lift or scissor lift.
• Can understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to read and interpret the following; equipment manuals, schematics, and maintenance documentation.
• Ability to complete maintenance reports and work orders accurately.
• Ability to receive and relate direction/information using various communication devices.

Nice To Haves

• Vocational Diploma, Technical Diploma or associate’s degree from technical maintenance or vocational school, a plus.

Responsibilities

• Mechanical Maintenance & Equipment Repair Troubleshoot and repair food processing equipment including stuffers, grinders, mixers, vacuum pumps, packaging equipment, conveyors, ovens, and multivac systems.
• Perform preventative maintenance tasks including lubrication, chain and belt replacement, filter changes, and equipment inspection.
• Install and replace mechanical components including belts, chains, valves, gears, bearings, and filters.
• Rebuild and repair valves, pumps, gearboxes, and other mechanical assemblies.
• Diagnose and repair pneumatic, hydraulic, and mechanical equipment failures.
• Perform repairs related to machine guarding, mechanical wear, plumbing, and equipment breakdowns.
• Weld and fabricate machine components as needed to support equipment repairs.
• Install and set up equipment including alignment and leveling of machinery.
• Connect and maintain equipment utilities including air, water, and gas connections.
• Refrigeration & Utility System Support Assist with monitoring and basic maintenance of ammonia refrigeration systems.
• Maintain working knowledge of steam and boiler systems supporting plant operations.
• Support troubleshooting of refrigeration or utility-related equipment issues when assigned.
• Assist with inspections and preventative maintenance activities related to plant utility systems.
• Preventative Maintenance & Compliance Complete assigned preventative maintenance tasks and equipment inspections according to maintenance schedules.
• Document maintenance activities and accurately complete work orders and repair records.
• Maintain equipment in safe working condition and compliant with safety standards.
• Follow all Safety procedures including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO).
• Comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and all applicable food safety standards.
• Follow all environmental and regulatory procedures including ISO 14001 requirements.
• Communicate equipment issues or repair needs to maintenance leadership.
• The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive Starting Pay - $27.75-$37.75/hr
• $1.00/hr Shift Differential for 2nd Shift or 3rd Shift
• Comprehensive Health Insurance, Retirement Benefits and More
• In addition, we offer opportunities for career growth and professional development.
• Smithfield is proud to offer robust, flexible and affordable benefit plans and programs to support our team members and their loved ones, and with out-of-pocket costs, on average, 20 percent less than plans offered by other employers.
• Beyond our medical plans, our Be Well programs offer tools and resources to enhance your quality of life, at no additional cost. These programs are uniquely tailored to our Smithfield team and provide support for elective surgeries, weight loss, mental health, cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, smoking cessation, asthma, maternity management and more.
• Our company invests in your future. We offer comprehensive training and professional development programs designed to help you reach your full potential. Our partnership with GUILD supports your continuing education with tuition assistance covering English language learning and various certificate programs, while our leadership development initiatives nurture high-potential talent. For those looking to build specialized skills, we offer apprenticeship programs that combine hands-on experience with focused learning. We also offer unique benefits like our Smithfield Scholarship Program for employees’ children.
• Smithfield’s Education Reimbursement Program provides financial reimbursement to team members who want to further their formal education by obtaining a GED/High School Equivalency (HSE) Diploma or by pursuing an academic degree at an accredited college or university that is not a Guild learning partner.

What This Job Offers

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