Maintenance Mechanic (2nd shift) - Niles

Georgia Nut Company; Niles (IL); On-site; USD 46,838 - 50,971; Full time

Job summary

Georgia Nut Company is seeking a Continuous Improvement Mechanic in Illinois to lead maintenance projects, troubleshoot day-to-day issues, and drive long-term root-cause solutions within a manufacturing setting.

The role reports to the maintenance supervisor and involves collaboration with production, sales, and quality teams to improve throughput and equipment reliability. Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree in engineering and 2+ years of relevant experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field with 2+ years of experience.
• Experience in training, coaching, or mentoring staff.
• Advanced technical skills in food processing/packaging equipment, HVAC, compressed air, mechanical and electrical fields (e.g., PLCs).
• Maintenance systems knowledge: work orders, preventive/predictive maintenance, TPM, inventory, scheduling software.
• Ability to lead problem-solving and troubleshooting for high-level process issues.
• Strong written and verbal communication; proficiency with MS Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Planning and organizing with ability to stay organized.
• Teamwork-driven in fast-paced manufacturing environments; respectful and collaborative.
• Bilingual is preferred but not required.
• Work schedule may require long hours and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Leads maintenance team on projects related to equipment modifications, new products, rebuilds and complex problems.
• Collaborates across production, sales, project engineering, quality, and maintenance to implement solutions.
• Develops solutions to improve throughput and reduce downtime.
• Handles day-to-day recurring maintenance issues and identifies root causes.
• Troubleshoots, repairs, adjusts, and replaces equipment and components (mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, plumbing).
• Provides long-term solutions and day-to-day support for troubleshooting and problem analysis.
• Promotes a positive work atmosphere and strong working relationships across teams.
• Assists shift supervisors in identifying root causes of recurring breakdowns and implementing fixes.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the maintenance supervisor.

Skills

Maintenance leadership

Problem solving

Communication

Planning and organization

Teamwork

Training/coaching

Bilingual (preferred)

MS Word

Excel

Outlook

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

MS Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: 6900 - Niles, IL 60714

Position Type: Full Time

Salary Range: $34.00 - $37.00 Hourly

Travel Percentage: None

Job Shift: Third Shift

Job Category: Manufacturing

Role Summary

Continuous improvement mechanic reports to the maintenance supervisor and is responsible for long term root cause solutions for the maintenance team, execution of projects with other operational groups, troubleshooting day to day reoccurring issues and advising/helping develop training to new mechanics with the assistance of the maintenance supervisor.

Primary Responsibilities

• Leads maintenance team on projects related to equipment modifications, new products, rebuilds and complex problems.
• Works cross functionally with production, sales, project engineering, quality and maintenance to deliver solutions to problems.
• Develops solutions to help improve throughput (operationally or downtime reduction).
• Responsible for day-to-day reoccurring maintenance issue and addressing root cause.
• Troubleshoot, repair, adjust, and replace equipment and components involving mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, plumbing, relay logic systems.
• Provides long-term solutions and day-to-day support to all operating teams for troubleshooting, problem analysis, equipment failures, etc.
• Maintain a positive work atmosphere by performing and communicating in a manner that promotes good relationships with co-workers including manufacturing associates, other support department associates and management.
• Assists shift supervisors with identifying the root causes of recurring breakdowns and implementing solutions.
• Perform other related duties, as assigned by the maintenance supervisor.

Training

• Machine controls
• Troubleshooting and diagnostics
• Lubrication procedures
• Machine parts and function
• Changeover procedures
• Safety procedures
• Machine operational theory
• Machine adjustments and calibrations
• Preventive maintenance guidelines
• Operating procedures
• Sourcing machine parts

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Engineering or a related field and 2+ years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
• Experience: Experience in providing training, coaching, or mentoring to less experienced staff or managing a process/project in food packaging.
• Technical Skills: Advanced technical skills in food processing equipment, packaging equipment, HVAC, compressed air, mechanical and electrical fields (e.g., PLCs, instrumentation, mechanical engineering, etc.), with the ability to lead resource planning efforts in a large manufacturing environment, preferred.
• Maintenance Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of maintenance systems, work order processes, preventive/predictive maintenance, TPM, inventory, and scheduling software, preferred.
• Problem-Solving: Able to lead problem-solving and troubleshooting efforts associated with high-level process issues.
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills. Proficient with MS Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Planning and Organization: Good planning and priority-setting skills. Ability to keep and stay organized.
• Teamwork: Ability to work well with others in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Ability to be respectful, approachable, and team-oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.
• Bilingual: Preferred, but not required.
• Work Schedule: May be required to work long hours and weekends.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

Office and plant setting. The plant environment will include wet or humid conditions (non-weather related), extreme cold and heat (weather related), working near moving mechanical parts, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, and chemicals.

Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be loud when in the production area.

Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear.