Maintenance Technician-3rd shift

ApplicantPool; Burgaw (NC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

ApplicantPool is seeking a Maintenance Technician for a sweet potato processing plant in North Carolina. The role focuses on maintaining, troubleshooting, repairing, and improving processing, packaging, refrigeration, electrical, and mechanical equipment to ensure safe, reliable operations.

The ideal candidate is mechanically inclined, safety-minded, and able to diagnose and repair equipment in a fast-paced food-processing environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; technical training preferred.
• Experience in industrial maintenance or food-processing environment is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on processing equipment.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems.
• Repair conveyors, pumps, motors, and processing machinery.
• Assist with equipment installation, modification, and start-up.
• Maintain maintenance records and inventory.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Electrical troubleshooting

Diagnostics

Teamwork

Safety minded

Adaptability

Education

High school diploma or GED

Industrial maintenance cert

Tools

PLCs & VFDs

Pumps & motors

Welding & fabrication

Electrical panels

Conveyors & belts

Job description

Position Summary

The Maintenance Technician is responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, repairing, and improving processing, packaging, refrigeration, electrical, mechanical, and facility equipment in a sweet potato processing plant. This position helps ensure safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations while minimizing equipment downtime.

The ideal candidate is mechanically inclined, safety-minded, dependable, and able to diagnose and repair equipment in a fast-paced food-processing environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on processing and packaging equipment.




• Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and conveyor systems.




• Repair and maintain equipment such as:

  
  
  
  

  • Conveyors and belt systems

  
  

  • Washers, graders, sorters, and sizing equipment

  
  

  • Pumps, motors, gearboxes, and bearings

  
  

  • Cutters, peelers, and processing machinery

  
  

  • Packaging and labeling equipment

  
  

  • Boilers, compressors, and refrigeration equipment, as applicable

  
  

  • Electrical control panels, sensors, switches, and motors

  
  
  
  



• Diagnose equipment problems and make repairs quickly and safely to minimize production downtime.




• Perform scheduled preventive maintenance and document completed work.




• Inspect equipment for wear, damage, leaks, abnormal noise, vibration, or other potential failures.




• Assist with equipment installation, modification, and start-up.




• Perform welding, fabrication, plumbing, and general mechanical repairs as needed.




• Maintain and repair facility systems, including doors, lighting, drains, water systems, and other plant infrastructure.




• Follow lockout/tagout (LOTO), confined-space, machine guarding, and other safety procedures.




• Maintain a clean and organized maintenance area and follow good housekeeping practices.




• Work closely with production personnel to identify equipment problems and opportunities for improvement.




• Respond to emergency maintenance calls and equipment breakdowns.




• Maintain accurate maintenance records, work orders, parts usage, and equipment history.




• Assist with maintaining an adequate inventory of spare parts and maintenance supplies.




• Follow all company policies, food-safety requirements, GMPs, and applicable OSHA regulations.




• Perform other duties as assigned by the Maintenance Supervisor or Manager.

Qualifications

Required

• High school diploma or GED preferred.




• Previous industrial maintenance or mechanical experience preferred.




• Basic knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems.




• Ability to troubleshoot equipment and identify the cause of mechanical or electrical problems.




• Ability to use common hand and power tools safely.




• Ability to read and understand equipment manuals, schematics, and basic electrical diagrams.




• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.




• Ability to work in a wet, humid, dusty, noisy, and temperature-variable food-processing environment.




• Ability to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime during peak processing periods.

Preferred

• 2+ years of experience in industrial or food-processing maintenance.




• Experience with conveyors, pumps, motors, gearboxes, and pneumatic systems.




• Electrical troubleshooting experience, including 120/240/480V systems.




• Experience with PLCs, VFDs, sensors, and automated equipment.




• Welding and fabrication experience.




• Experience with refrigeration, boilers, compressors, or other utility systems.




• Technical degree, industrial maintenance certificate, or relevant trade certification.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.




• Ability to lift and carry up to [50] pounds.




• Ability to climb ladders and stairs and work from elevated platforms.




• Ability to bend, kneel, crawl, reach, and work in confined or awkward positions.




• Ability to work around water, food products, machinery, chemicals, noise, and varying temperatures.




• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).

Work Environment

This position works primarily in a food-processing plant and may be exposed to wet floors, water spray, dirt, dust, noise, moving machinery, cleaning chemicals, heat, cold, and varying environmental conditions. Strict adherence to safety and food-safety procedures is required.

Safety and Food Safety

The Maintenance Technician is expected to:

• Follow all OSHA and company safety requirements.




• Properly use required PPE.




• Follow lockout/tagout procedures before performing maintenance.




• Maintain machine guards and safety devices in proper working condition.




• Follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and food-safety procedures.




• Prevent maintenance activities from creating contamination risks to food or food-contact surfaces.




• Immediately report unsafe conditions, equipment hazards, or food-safety concerns.

Key Performance Expectations

• Safe completion of maintenance work.




• Timely response to equipment breakdowns.




• Reduction of unplanned equipment downtime.




• Completion of preventive maintenance on schedule.




• Accurate maintenance documentation.




• Proper care and use of tools, equipment, and spare parts.




• Compliance with food-safety, quality, and workplace-safety requirements.




• Positive communication and teamwork with production and maintenance personnel.

Equal Opportunity Employer: [Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants without regard to legally protected status.