Foreign Material Systems Manager - Optical Sorting

Jobot; Smithville (GA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Life Insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Jobot is seeking a seasoned Maintenance Systems Manager to lead preventative maintenance across multiple manufacturing sites. You will oversee electronic sorting equipment, motorized control systems and QA-related technologies, ensuring food safety compliance and equipment reliability.

Heavy travel (~50%) and relocation supported. Requirements include a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, 5+ years in systems management, and experience with automation and industrial

Qualifications

• High School Diploma required; Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of Systems Management experience required; candidates with a Mechanical or Electrical Engineering degree may qualify with 2+ years of applicable systems management experience.
• Strong experience with electronic sorting systems, automation, controls, electronics, or industrial equipment troubleshooting.
• Experience within food manufacturing is required; peanut processing or agricultural manufacturing experience is highly preferred.
• Proven ability to lead preventative maintenance programs and improve equipment reliability.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems including sensors, wiring, power systems, and automated equipment.
• Experience training operators and maintenance technicians.
• Ability to analyze technical problems, determine root causes, and implement corrective actions.
• Strong documentation, communication, and project management skills.
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel up to 50%.

Responsibilities

• Lead all preventative maintenance activities for electronic optical sorting equipment across manufacturing facilities.
• Manage the performance and reliability of foreign material removal systems including electronic sorters, metal detectors, magnets, stick machines, shakers, gravity tables, and stoners.
• Direct and support local maintenance and operations teams during scheduled PM events.
• Troubleshoot and repair electrical, mechanical, automation, and control system issues on sorting equipment.
• Perform system calibrations, camera alignments, equipment inspections, and component replacements.
• Train operators and maintenance technicians on proper operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance procedures.
• Monitor sorting programs and adjust settings based on product changes, crop conditions, or operational needs.
• Analyze equipment performance and collaborate with operations and technical teams to resolve processing issues.
• Manage spare parts inventory, coordinate purchasing, and maintain repair documentation and equipment logs.
• Ensure all equipment and processes comply with food safety standards, quality management systems, and company requirements.
• Provide technical support for a 24/7 manufacturing operation.
• Stay current with new technologies, industry trends, and equipment improvements.

Skills

Systems management

Electrical engineering

Mechanical engineering

Troubleshooting

Project management

Documentation

Communication

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering

High School Diploma

Tools

Electronic sorting systems

Automation & controls

Sensors & wiring

Job description

Job details

Global Food Ingredients Manufacturer | $$$ Full Relocation Package

Salary: $75,000 - $105,000 per year

Supporting 3 manufacturing sites

A bit about us

Founded over 100 years ago and operating globally with facilities across multiple regions, we are a leading supplier of natural food and beverage ingredients serving manufacturers around the world. We combine deep agricultural roots with innovative processing technologies to deliver safe, high-quality, traceable ingredients while maintaining a strong commitment to food safety, sustainability, and operational excellence.

Why join us

• Global Industry Leader: Join a well-established organization supplying ingredients to top food and beverage manufacturers worldwide
• Career Growth: Opportunities to develop technical expertise and advance within a large global organization
• Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, and retirement programs
• Paid Time Off & Holidays
• Impactful Role: Own critical foreign material prevention systems that directly support food safety and customer quality standards
• Travel & Exposure: Work across multiple facilities with approximately 50% travel

Key Responsibilities & Duties

• Lead all preventative maintenance activities for electronic optical sorting equipment across manufacturing facilities.
• Manage the performance and reliability of foreign material removal systems including electronic sorters, metal detectors, magnets, stick machines, shakers, gravity tables, and stoners.
• Direct and support local maintenance and operations teams during scheduled PM events.
• Troubleshoot and repair electrical, mechanical, automation, and control system issues on sorting equipment.
• Perform system calibrations, camera alignments, equipment inspections, and component replacements.
• Train operators and maintenance technicians on proper operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance procedures.
• Monitor sorting programs and adjust settings based on product changes, crop conditions, or operational needs.
• Analyze equipment performance and collaborate with operations and technical teams to resolve processing issues.
• Manage spare parts inventory, coordinate purchasing, and maintain repair documentation and equipment logs.
• Ensure all equipment and processes comply with food safety standards, quality management systems (QMS), and company requirements.
• Provide technical support for a 24/7 manufacturing operation.
• Stay current with new technologies, industry trends, and equipment improvements.

Qualifications

Needed:

• High School Diploma required; Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of Systems Management experience required; candidates with a Mechanical or Electrical Engineering degree may qualify with 2+ years of applicable systems management experience.
• Strong experience with electronic sorting systems, automation, controls, electronics, or industrial equipment troubleshooting.
• Experience within food manufacturing is required; peanut processing or agricultural manufacturing experience is highly preferred.
• Proven ability to lead preventative maintenance programs and improve equipment reliability.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems including sensors, wiring, power systems, and automated equipment.
• Experience training operators and maintenance technicians.
• Ability to analyze technical problems, determine root causes, and implement corrective actions.
• Strong documentation, communication, and project management skills.
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel up to 50%.

Jobot is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide an inclusive work environment that celebrates diversity and all qualified candidates receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age (40 and over), disability, military status, genetic information or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Jobot also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories. It is Jobot’s policy to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws respecting consideration of unemployment status in making hiring decisions.

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