Mechanic, Maintenance Packaging

USPL NUTRITIONALS•North Brunswick, NJ

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Packaging Mechanic is responsible for operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing packaging lines and auxiliary equipment (e.g. fillers, cappers, labelers, cartoners, sealers, conveyors, etc.). On higher levels, the role involves preventive maintenance, changeovers, and acting as a technical leader on the packaging floor.

Requirements

High School diploma or GED required.
0–2 years in maintenance experience in a manufacturing environment
Basic mechanical aptitude and tool familiarity.
Ability to follow written SOPs and safety protocols.
Willingness to work flexible shifts and overtime.
High school graduate or GED equivalent, Technical or vocational training is a plus.
3+ years of hands-on maintenance experience in manufacturing.
Strong understanding of safety, compliance, and regulatory standards.
Knowledge of cGMP, OSHA, and equipment schematics.
1+ Years work experience in a regulated industry such as Nutritional’s, vitamins, food manufacturing or pharmaceutical equipment maintenance is preferred.
Must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent
Associate degree, technical certification, or vocational training is a plus
5+ Years work experience in a regulated industry such as Nutritional’s, vitamins, food manufacturing or pharmaceutical equipment maintenance is preferred.
Advanced understanding of mechanical, pneumatic, and electrical systems.
PLC troubleshooting experience preferred.
Strong leadership and communication skills.
Ability to work independently with little to no supervision.
Trade certifications in HVAC, electrical, pneumatics, or hydraulics are highly preferred.
HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, Painting, pneumatic, boilers, compressed air systems, pumps, hydraulic and Mechanical systems as required.
PLC is a plus.
General PC proficiency and work order systems etc.
Skill in handling several projects or tasks at the same time, or within a given time frame.
The ability to recognize a safety issue or potential safety issue.
Skill in quality and compliance vigilance.
Ability to maintain a professional, positive attitude at all times.
Ability to communicate with coworkers, management team members, and other individuals in a courteous and professional manner.
Demonstrates ability to work in a team and assist others.
Able to follow written instructions precisely and perform basic math calculations as required.
Understands and is knowledgeable of cGMP, OSHA standards, etc.
Demonstrates the ability to read and write basic English to be able to understand the industry-regulated instruction sheets.
Demonstrates forklift experience with both sit-down and stand-up trucks.
Mechanically inclined to understand inner workings of equipment.
Able to read from schematics and blueprints.

Nice To Haves

Forklift experience is a plus.
License or certifications in electronics, pneumatics and/or hydraulics preferred.
Forklift /scissor lift driver’s certification is a plus but not a requirement.

Responsibilities

Assist with setup, changeovers, cleaning, and basic operation of packaging lines.
Load materials (labels, cartons, films) into packaging equipment.
Perform basic visual inspections, detect packaging defects, and remove faulty units.
Assist in daily cleaning, line sanitation, and housekeeping.
Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs), batch records, and safety protocols.
Document basic packaging metrics, logs, and shift records.
Escalate technical issues to higher‑level technicians.
Assist in minor mechanical adjustments (e.g. tightening bolts, replacing belts) under supervision.
Participate in safety and quality training.
Independently perform maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair on packaging lines including blister, bottle, cartoning, and label printing systems.
Diagnose mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and control system issues (motors, drives, sensors, solenoids, PLC I/O) on packaging equipment.
Execute changeovers and line reconfigurations, calibrations, and adjustments for product format changes.
Perform preventive maintenance and predictive maintenance tasks, identifying worn parts and scheduling replacements.
Read and interpret mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, and wiring diagrams.
Mentor Level 1 technicians, guiding and reviewing their work.
Assist in packaging reliability improvement initiatives, root cause analyses, and process optimization.
Support emergency breakdowns and unscheduled repairs to minimize downtime.
Participate in regulatory and safety audits related to packaging lines.
Lead maintenance, upgrade, and optimization of complex packaging lines (blister, bottle, cartooning, label printing, IFC lines).
Perform advanced diagnostics, root cause analysis, and system redesigns to improve reliability and throughput.
Take full responsibility for major line failures and coordinate cross‑functional resources to resolve issues.
Plan and execute capital projects, line changeovers, expansions, and line integrations.
Act as technical liaison with vendors, OEMs, contractors, and internal engineering groups.
Develop and manage preventive and predictive maintenance programs.
Mentor, train, and coach Level 1 and Level 2 technicians.
Participate in regulatory inspections and ensure compliance documentation.
Recommend equipment upgrades, modifications, or replacements.
Lead packaging continuous improvement initiatives (OEE improvements, downtime reduction).

Benefits

medical
dental
vision
short and long term disability
basic life insurance
supplemental life insurance
AD&D insurance
matched 401(k) savings plan
premium pay such as overtime, shift differential, holiday pay, sick time
up to 10 days of vacation the first year, which grows to 12 days starting the second year of employment