Industrial Maintenance Technician

PetAg, Inc.; Hampshire Township (IL); On-site; USD 32,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP

Bonus opportunity

Benefits package

Paid time off and holidays

Fitness reimbursement

Tuition assistance

Parental leave

Job summary

PBI-Gordon Companies, including its subsidiaries, is seeking a Maintenance Technician to troubleshoot, perform preventive maintenance, and repair packaging and processing equipment in a GMP environment. The role supports line changes, installations, and reliability improvements while ensuring safety and food quality.

The position emphasizes strong mechanical and electrical troubleshooting, PLC familiarity, and cross-functional collaboration with production, quality, and engineering teams.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of 5 years of maintenance experience in manufacturing, preferably food/CPG.
• Knowledge of GMPs, HACCP, sanitation, and allergen awareness.
• Experience with PLC controlled equipment, VFDs, sensors, and automation systems.
• Ability to diagnose issues and coordinate with engineering/controls.
• Experience with PM programs and maintaining equipment for uptime and safety.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot and repair food processing, blending, conveying, and packaging equipment.
• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and basic PLC systems.
• Support installations, line changes, and upgrades including utilities.
• Read electrical schematics, P&IDs, and OEM manuals for troubleshooting.
• Participate in continuous improvement and downtime reduction initiatives.

Skills

Maintenance troubleshooting

Electrical troubleshooting

PLC systems

GMP/HACCP knowledge

Mechanical skills

VFDs and sensors

Cross-functional communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Technical or trade training preferred

Tools

PM programs

Job description

At PBI-Gordon Companies, and our subsidiaries PBI-Gordon Corporation, Pegasus Laboratories, and PetAg, Inc, our priority is people, pets, and the places they go. As employee owners, we support each other in building our careers as well as our companies. Our foundation is rooted in integrity, innovation, partnership, and pride. Come grow with us!

Position Summary

The Maintenance Technician is responsible for troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and repair of food manufacturing and packaging equipment, supporting safe, compliant, and efficient plant operations. This role maintains mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and basic PLC controlled systems in a GMP environment, supports equipment installations and line changeovers, and partners with production and engineering to reduce downtime and improve reliability.

• Employee Ownership (ESOP): Company-funded retirement contribution of ~18% of pay, plus 401(k)
• Competitive pay with bonus opportunity
• Comprehensive benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability, FSA, and Pet Insurance
• Generous paid time off, paid holidays, and parental leave
• Fitness reimbursement and tuitionassistance
• Perform all work in compliance with food safety, GMP, OSHA, and HACCP requirements, maintaining a clean, safe, and audit ready production environment.
• Execute preventive and corrective maintenance on food processing, blending, conveying, and packaging equipment, including fillers, conveyors, motors, pumps, and ancillary systems.
• Troubleshoot and repair electrical and controls-related issues, including AC/DC motors, VFDs, sensors, safety circuits, and basic PLC controlled equipment within skill level.
• Support PLC based systems by diagnosing faults, verifying I/O, interpreting ladder logic (read only), and working with engineers or integrators on automation issues.
• Assistwith equipment installation, line modifications, and upgrades, including utilities such as electrical, compressed air, gas, and vacuum systems.
• Perform changeovers and startup support, ensuring equipment is properly set, tested, and released for food production.
• Read and interpret electrical schematics, P&IDs, mechanical drawings, and OEM manuals to support effective troubleshooting.
• Participate in continuous improvement, reliability, and process improvement initiatives, including root cause analysis and downtime reduction efforts.
• Support food safety and safety teams, audits, and corrective actions related to maintenance activities.
• Operate forklifts, scissor lifts, ladders, and work safely at heights asrequired.
• Perform basic fabrication and repair using stick or TIG welding as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Supervisor.

Required Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience: Minimum of 5 years of maintenance experience in a manufacturing environment, with food or CPG manufacturing strongly preferred.
• Food Manufacturing Knowledge: Working knowledge of GMPs, HACCP, sanitation standards, and allergen awareness.
• Strong mechanical and electrical troubleshooting skills
• Experience working around PLC controlled equipment, VFDs, sensors, and industrial automation systems
• Ability to safely diagnose issues and elevate programming changes to engineering or controls partners
• Maintenance Systems: Experience with PM programs andmaintainingequipment to ensureuptime, food safety, and reliability.
• Communication: Ability to work cross functionally with production, quality, and engineering teams.
• Travel: None.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: technical or trade training preferred.
• Language: Bilingual (Spanish/English) a plus, not required.

We offer a collaborative, employee-owned workplace where accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement matter.Employees are encouraged to share ideas, grow their skills, and build long-term careers.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all employees.

The pay range for this role considers a wide range of factors including but not limited to: skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, geographical location, and other organizational needs.

The estimated pay range for this role is $21.85/hr. Min to $32.78/hr. Max per year.

Additionally, you will be eligible to participate in a bonus program associated with this specific role.

PBI-Gordon Companies and its subsidiaries are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to eligible, full-time employees who work 30 hours per week or more. Full-time employees will become eligible to participate in benefits on the first of the month following their start date, unless stated otherwise below. (Note: Interns do not qualify for eligibility.)

Medical Insurance

• We are committed to helping you and your dependents maintain health and wellness by offering voluntary, competitive medical insurance and prescription drug plan options.

Dental Insurance

• Choose from two voluntary dental plans that are designed to help protect you and your dependents’ oral health.

Vision Insurance

• Our voluntary vision insurance plan is designed to help protect you and your dependents eye health. Coverage is available for eye exams, frames, lenses, and contact lenses. Employee owners are responsible for 100% of the cost of this plan.

Life Insurance with Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)

• We offer a company-paid $50,000 life insurance policy with AD&D. You also have the opportunity to purchase additional life and AD&D insurance for yourself, your spouse and/or your dependent children. The cost for this coverage is based on the amount you elect and your age.

Short- and Long-term Disability

• Our company-paid short-term and long-term disability plans to provide income replacement in the event you are not able to work due to illness or injury. Short-term disability will provide 70% income replacement up to $1,350 per week and long-term disability will provide 60% income replacement up to $5,000 per month.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• EAP Services are company paid to benefit all employee-owners and their families. EAP provides up to six free counseling sessions to help you and your family members manage life stressors, solve personal or relationship concerns, and achieve your goals.

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

• Flexible Spending Plans offer employee-owners the option to set aside pre-tax monies into a medical reimbursement or dependent care account to help pay for out-of-pocket medical, dental or vision expenses or day care costs. The maximum contributions are determined by the IRS and adjusted annually. This is a use-it-or-lose-it account, meaning any funds remaining in the account following the close of the plan year will be forfeited.

Pet Insurance

• We love our pets! Pet insurance options for your furry friends is offered through the ASPCA. Employee-owners can enroll and pay premiums directly to ASPCA.

Paid Holidays & Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Everyone needs time off to rest and recharge! Paid time off includes Regular PTO, Personal PTO, and specified paid company holidays. *The amount of paid time off (PTO) depends upon the employee's position andyears of service.

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

• We act like we own the company because we do! An ESOP provides employees with an ownership stake in the company. It’s an additional form of compensation directly tied to PBI-Gordon Companies financial success. All regular employees are eligible to participate in the ESOP the first of the month following 30 days of service. PBI-Gordon Companies contributes approximately 18% of total compensation annually with a six-year vesting schedule. Our ESOP is more than a benefit, it is a key part of a culture, and it can provide significant rewards in retirement!

401(k) Retirement Savings Plan

• Saving for retirement is one of the most important financial decisions you can make. We offer a 401(k)-retirement savings plan to assist employees with this important financial goal. New employee owners are eligible to participate the first of the month following 30 days of employment. We provide a company match of 100% up to 3% deferral with a three-year vesting schedule.

Fitness Reimbursement

• We believe regular exercise helps improve overall health and job performance. PBI-Gordon will reimburse up to a maximum of $300 annually for gym/fitness memberships.

Tuition Reimbursement

• After one full year of employment, employee-owners are eligible for tuition reimbursement for bachelor’s level coursework related to their current job or any future job offered at PBI-Gordon Companies.

Children or grandchildren of employee-owners may apply for a scholarship under the William Everett & Mary Ellen Mealman scholarship fund. Applicants are awarded based on financial need, academic achievement, and involvement in extracurricular/community activities.

Company paid parental leave is offered to employee-owners following the birth of a child or the placement of a child with an employee in connection with adoption, foster care, or surrogacy. This policy will run concurrently with Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave, as applicable.

If you are a California resident, you have rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).

Employment is contingent upon and may not begin until the successful completion of a pre-employment background check and drug screen. PBI-Gordon and its subsidiaries participate in E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. For more information about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit the E-Verify Website.