Maintenance, Mechanical

Russell Stover Chocolates, LLC; Iola (KS); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Safety gear provided

GMP training

Climate-controlled environment

Job summary

Russell Stover Chocolates is seeking a Maintenance Mechanic to troubleshoot and repair production equipment, perform preventive maintenance, adjust components, and document work orders with safety as a priority. You will work with electrical, plumbing, refrigeration, HVAC, and pneumatic systems; operate welding and shop tools; communicate across departments; and support GMP/FSQA training.

A high school diploma or GED and 3+ years in manufacturing are required, with the ability to lift 50 lbs and

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• 3+ years experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in electrical, plumbing, refrigeration, HVAC, and pneumatic systems.
• Knowledge of basic math.
• Ability to comprehend technical manuals, instructions and warning signs.
• Knowledge and ability to safely and proficiently use a variety of hand and power tools and diagnostic equipment.
• Ability to operate welding/brazing equipment, lathes, milling machines and other shop equipment.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to speak, read, and write English fluently, with or without an accommodation.
• Must have ability to routinely and frequently stand, stoop, bend, climb and lift to meet cleaning requirements.
• Must have good hand-eye coordination and possess motor skills enabling mobility and quick reflexes, as well as dexterity in ceiling height areas.
• Must have visual/hearing ability sufficient to recognize or detect warning devices/signs.
• Must have ability to routinely lift 50lbs.

Responsibilities

• Perform preventive maintenance on production equipment using checklists and diagnose problems.
• Adjust, repair, rebuild, replace and install machine components and ensure guards are properly in place.
• Account for labor, parts and supplies; document to comply with regulations.
• Respond to breakdowns promptly to minimize downtime and downtime-related costs.
• Ensure safe use of tools; keep work area neat and dispose of lubricants and chemicals per policy.
• Maintain current knowledge of maintenance methods and diagnostic procedures as recommended by manufacturers.
• Coordinate with other departments to optimize equipment utilization.
• Follow GMP/FSQA training and food safety standards and plant policies.
• Report potential food safety hazards or deviations as required.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of the company’s Food Safety Culture through actions in role.

Skills

Manufacturing experience

Electrical systems

Welding/brazing

Reading manuals

English fluency

Preventive maintenance

Education

High school diploma or GED

Trade certification (preferred)

Tools

Diagnostic equipment

Hand and power tools

Welding/brazing equipment

Lathes and milling

Job description

At Russell Stover, not only do we love chocolate, but we love our jobs! Every day we go to work exhibiting our values of excellence, innovation, entrepreneurship, responsibility, and collaboration. Working at Russell Stover you’ll be part of the leading manufacturer of boxed, seasonal, and sugar-free chocolates. For over 100 years, Russell Stover Chocolates, Whitman’s, and Pangburn’s have been crafted with the finest ingredients to bring happiness to generations. Today, we produce over 55 million pounds of chocolate annually, and our legacy brands can be found in 13 company-owned stores and over 9,000 wholesale accounts. Join our team and let’s continue making chocolate lovers happy!

A day in the life…

As a Maintenance Mechanic, you must be able to work independently while following both written and verbal instructions. You are responsible for mechanical and electrical troubleshooting, performing basic welding, and applying your working knowledge of Production Equipment terminology, including completing start-ups as required. You will also use your fabrication skills and maintain the required reports.

You will perform inspections and preventive, emergency, and other maintenance or mechanical repairs on Production equipment to ensure safe operational status. Your work includes both routine service and major functional repairs or maintenance, as well as building and facility maintenance.

What you will be doing…

• Perform equipment preventive maintenance services using appropriate checklists; inspects, analyzes and diagnoses all machine and assembly component problems and defects, using diagnostic equipment as required
• Perform all needed adjustments, repairs, rebuilding, replacements and installation of machine and assembly components; ensure that all guards removed are properly replaced
• Account for all labor, parts and operational supplies in an accurate and timely fashion; initiates and completes all necessary documentation to comply with Federal, State, and local regulatory requirements
• Respond to breakdowns in a prompt and appropriate manner to minimize downtime, overtime, cost and interruption of sales/customer service
• Ensure safe and proper use of tools and equipment; ensure hand tools are free of defects; maintain neat and orderly work area, including proper storage/disposal of lubricants, solvents, paint and other chemicals in accordance with OSHA, EPA and other regulatory agencies and company policy
• Maintain current knowledge of maintenance methods and practices, including use of diagnostic equipment and procedures recommended by equipment manufacturers
• Communicates/coordinates with other departments to ensure optimum, efficient utilization of the company’s equipment
• Practice and comply with all company policies and procedures, including safety and other work rules; includes compliance with all regulatory mandates, such as lockout/tag out, electrical safety, confined spaces
• Take appropriate action to ensure the integrity of the system
• Adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to ensure product quality and maintain compliance with food safety standards
• Complete and follow FSQA training and programs to comply with regulatory requirements, ensure consumer safety, and support the plant’s food safety and quality objectives
• Promptly report and take appropriate action on any observed or potential food safety hazards, process deviations, or non-conformities by notifying the designated plant supervisor, in accordance with your role and responsibilities
• Actively contributes to the continuous improvement of the company’s Food Safety Culture through engagement and actions aligned with your role

This job posting is not all inclusive and other duties may be assigned.

Do you have what it takes?

(Basic Qualifications)

• High school diploma or GED
• 3+ years experience in a manufacturing environment
• Experience in electrical, plumbing, refrigeration, HVAC, and pneumatic systems
• Knowledge of basic math skills
• Ability to comprehend technical manuals, instructions and warning signs
• Knowledge and ability to safely and proficiently use a variety of hand and power tools and diagnostic equipment
• Ability to operate welding/brazing equipment, lathes, milling machines and other shop equipment
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to speak, read, and write English fluently, with or without an accommodation
• Must have ability to routinely and frequently stand, stoop, bend, climb and lift to meet cleaning requirements
• Must have good hand-eye coordination and possess motor skills enabling mobility and quick reflexes, as well as dexterity in ceiling height areas
• Must have visual/hearing ability sufficient to recognize or detect warning devices/signs
• Must have ability to routinely lift 50lbs

Do you stand above the rest?

(Preferred Qualifications)

• Trade certification

Experience Life at Russell Stover Plants!

• Safety First: Your well-being is our top priority, and we’ve got you covered with protective gear. On day one, you’ll dive into Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) training, and we’ll keep you on your toes with daily safety tips to ensure you’re always in the know!
• Surroundings: Get ready to work alongside a variety of equipment like automated packing machines, forklifts, electric pallet jacks, and those irresistible chocolate candy banks/steels – it’s a dynamic environment where every day brings something new!
• Active & Engaging Work: Whether you’re on your feet for extended periods, moving around, climbing ladders, or lifting up to 50 lbs, there’s never a dull moment. This is a place where you’ll stay on the move!
• Comfortable Climate: In most roles, you will be comfortable year-round with our climate-controlled environment.
• Appealing Smells: The air is filled with sweet aromas of chocolate, and by the time your shift ends, you might just leave smelling like chocolate!
• Dress to Impress (Food Safety Style): A simple yet important dress code ensures safety and hygiene, following Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to keep everything running smoothly.
• Allergens: You will be exposed to a variety of ingredients that may be considered food allergens.

At Russell Stover Chocolates, we don’t just accept difference — we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our products, and our community. Russell Stover Chocolates is proud to be an equal-opportunity workplace.

We provide equal employment opportunities to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition, genetic information, military service, veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.

Employment by Russell Stover Chocolates is contingent upon I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification, passing the urinalysis drug screen, education verification, and satisfactory reference and background checks.

Make Happy. Work Happy.