Lead Maintenance Mechanic

Dart Container; Leola (PA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401(k) with company matching

Paid vacation

Paid holidays

Short-term disability

Tuition assistance

Product discounts

Job summary

Dart Container’s Leola Campus seeks an experienced Lead Mechanic to lead and develop the maintenance team for a new thermoforming operation. You’ll troubleshoot advanced equipment, drive reliability, and ensure safe, efficient production on the floor.

You’ll spend ~85% on the production floor, guide preventive maintenance, work with SAP, read blueprints, and mentor others while coordinating schedules and improvements as the facility expands.

Qualifications

• Must have strong leadership experience and ability to develop maintenance staff.
• Experience diagnosing and repairing complex manufacturing equipment.
• Familiarity with PLCs, automation systems, and control wiring.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support maintenance activities across production equipment and facility operations.
• Spend ~85% of time on the production floor supporting the team and equipment.
• Provide hands-on troubleshooting, diagnostics, root cause analysis, and corrective actions.
• Install, maintain, repair, rebuild, and modify manufacturing and facility equipment.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, and automated control systems.
• Diagnose PLC-controlled equipment, control systems, hardware, and software.
• Monitor equipment performance and use predictive maintenance tools to identify potential issues.
• Coordinate maintenance resources and schedules to support production needs.
• Train, mentor, and develop maintenance team members.
• Communicate equipment status and maintenance activities across shifts and departments.
• Monitor KPIs on safety, quality, production, efficiency, and maintenance.
• Complete maintenance documentation and work orders in SAP.
• Identify and recommend equipment, process, and procedural improvements.

Skills

Leadership

Troubleshooting

Mechanical aptitude

Pneumatics

Hydraulics

Electrical troubleshooting

Reading blueprints

Root cause analysis

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Maintenance/Mechatronics/Engineering Technology

Tools

SAP

Job description

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Lead the Maintenance Team Behind What’s Next at Leola!

Dart’s Leola Campus is growing, and Building 12 is bringing new thermoforming technology, automation, and production equipment to the facility.

We’re looking for an experiencedLead Mechanic who can lead by example, solve complex equipment challenges, and help keep a new operation running safely, reliably, and efficiently.

This is more than a maintenance role. You’ll be a key technical resource on the floor, helping develop maintenance team members, troubleshoot advanced equipment, and drive improvements as the new operation comes online.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead and support maintenance activities across production equipment and facility operations.
• Spend approximately 85% of your time on the production floor supporting the team and equipment.
• Provide hands-on troubleshooting, diagnostics, root cause analysis, and corrective actions for complex equipment issues.
• Install, maintain, repair, rebuild, and modify manufacturing and facility equipment.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, and automated control systems.
• Diagnose and troubleshoot PLC-controlled equipment, control systems, hardware, and software.
• Monitor equipment performance and use predictive maintenance tools to identify potential issues.
• Coordinate maintenance resources and schedules to support production needs.
• Train, mentor, and develop maintenance team members.
• Communicate equipment status, maintenance activities, and operational concerns across shifts and departments.
• Monitor safety, quality, production, efficiency, and maintenance KPIs.
• Complete maintenance documentation and work orders in SAP.
• Identify and recommend equipment, process, and procedural improvements.
• Support Operational Excellence and continuous improvement initiatives.

What You’ll Bring:

• High school diploma or GED.
• At least 2 years of related maintenance experience in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and the ability to lead and develop maintenance employees.
• Advanced mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills.
• Strong knowledge of industrial maintenance practices, hand tools, and power tools.
• Experience with root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Knowledge of pneumatics, hydraulics, pressure systems, and temperature controls.
• Ability to read blueprints, technical manuals, mechanical drawings, and electrical schematics.
• Experience with maintenance systems and computer software; SAP experience preferred.
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience using diagnostic equipment, test instruments, and maintenance software.
• Ability to operate and maintain certifications for PITs, hoists, and cranes.
• English proficiency needed to support training, communication, safety, and quality requirements.

Preferred: Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Maintenance, Mechatronics, Electro-Mechanical Technology, Engineering Technology, or a related field, along with experience in PLCs, automation, robotics, industrial controls, electrical troubleshooting, or high-speed manufacturing.

Be Part of the Leola Expansion

Building 12 will feature four new trim-in-place thermoforming lines with packaging automation, two dedicated PP clear cup lines with in-line printing, and two extruders capable of running PS and PP party cups.As a Lead Mechanic, you’ll have the opportunity to help prepare the equipment, develop the maintenance team, and establish reliable maintenance practices as the operation grows.

Overview: Dart makes everyday products that give people the freedom to enjoy the food & drinks they love, wherever they are. From to-go containers and dinnerware to tamper-evident food packaging and even the red SOLO cup, Dart products have been keeping people on the go and having fun for 65 years. We’re a family-owned, family-focused company of 12,000 employees united by a shared set of values and dedicated to providing exceptional customer service. Headquartered in Mason, MI, with 30 locations in three countries, we’re proud of our ability to innovate, manufacture and lead the way with each new generation of quality products.

Benefits: Dart Container full-time employees enjoy great benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) with company matching contributions, paid vacation, paid holidays, short-term disability, tuition assistance, product discounts and more.

Dart Container is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are subject to a drug test (excluding THC*/marijuana/cannabis) and background check at the time of offer.

*THC testing ONLY when such testing is required by law.
Dart Container is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all candidates for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you have a disability and need an accommodation to access this website or for the application process, you should call Dart at [phone] Ext 3370 or email us [e-mail] calls can be made by dialing 711 or the relay number for your state.

If you experience difficultyapplyingonline, you may call [phone] Ext 3390 or email us at [e-mail] for assistance.

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