Technical Leader

The J.M. Smucker Co.•McCalla, AL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Join the team behind one of America's most loved brands at our state-of-the-art Uncrustables® manufacturing facility in McCalla, Alabama. As a Technical Leader, you'll play a critical role in building technical capability, maximizing equipment reliability, and developing high-performing teams in a fast-paced, rapidly growing environment. This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact by driving safety, continuous improvement, operational excellence, and technical innovation while helping shape the future of a world-class manufacturing operation. This role offers the opportunity to make a visible impact, lead transformative technical initiatives, develop people and processes, and help shape the future of a rapidly expanding manufacturing operation. If you're energized by solving complex challenges, building technical capability, and creating a culture of continuous improvement, we'd love to hear from you.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree preferred; technical degree and/or equivalent related experience required.
Minimum of 3 years of relevant manufacturing, maintenance, engineering, or technical leadership experience.
Minimum of 2 years leading, supervising, or managing others in a manufacturing environment preferred.
Mechanical and electrical experience within food manufacturing preferred.
Strong ability to engage, develop, and lead teams on the production floor.
Proven ability to influence, collaborate, and drive results in a team-based environment.
Demonstrated analytical troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and problem-solving skills.
Self-motivated with a strong sense of urgency and a passion for coaching and developing others.
Proven success driving maintenance excellence through preventive maintenance and reliability systems.
Experience utilizing plant systems software such as Proficy, Oracle eAM, SAP, or similar platforms.
Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines.
Effective verbal, written, presentation, and communication skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
Ability to travel as needed to support plant startup and operational initiatives.
Willingness to work a flexible schedule to best support business needs.
Ability to support off-shift, weekend, or emergency business requirements when necessary.
Open to managing operating teams as a backup leader or future developmental assignment.
Experience directing contractors, vendors, and external technical resources.

Responsibilities

Enhance overall safety, quality, and productivity in the Bakery or Sandwich Making department by providing technical expertise and guidance, implementing effective predictive and preventative maintenance programs, and building capability across operations teams.
Drive a high-performance culture by engaging with team members on the production floor, coaching problem-solving, decision-making, and technical ownership.
Maximize equipment availability, minimize unplanned downtime, and extend asset life through sustainable preventive maintenance strategies and loss elimination initiatives.
Serve as the technical subject matter expert for designated equipment and systems while providing hands-on support to operations and maintenance teams.
Build mastery-level technical skills in advanced technicians while developing troubleshooting and equipment ownership capabilities across all technician levels.
Ensure technical documentation, preventive maintenance programs, maintenance procedures, and spare parts strategies are established and maintained.
Lead the development and continuous improvement of maintenance procedures to strengthen overall equipment reliability.
Coach teams and department leadership on effective maintenance planning and execution.
Develop and manage technical budgets that support operational and reliability goals.
Own and champion a critical safety and/or quality system.
Participate in the development, execution, and continuous improvement of advanced mechanical training and qualification programs.
Lead cross-functional teams to deliver cost savings, productivity improvements, and strategic technical projects.
Establish and maintain equipment standards while supporting design reviews and technical evaluations for capital projects.
Assist in coordinating Commissioning, Qualification, and Verification (CQV) activities to support plant startup and operational readiness.
Partner with Area Leaders, Process Engineers, and Coordinators to develop work plans that maximize sanitation effectiveness, startup readiness, and production efficiency.
Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities that improve safety, reliability, quality, and operational performance.