MHE Technician III

BGDC Distribution; Salem (VA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

BGDC Distribution is seeking an experienced MHE III to perform and support maintenance on material handling equipment at our Roanoke-area facility. You will act as the technical anchor, coach junior technicians, and ensure safety, craftsmanship, and uptime standards are met.

The role requires hands-on diagnosis and repair of reach trucks, pallet jacks, order pickers, and forklifts, with emphasis on PM compliance, documentation, and parts coordination.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of hands-on MHE maintenance experience in warehouse or distribution environment.
• Strong knowledge of reach trucks, pallet jacks, order pickers, and forklifts; troubleshoot mechanical/electrical/controls issues.
• Ability to diagnose and resolve complex equipment issues across multiple MHE platforms.
• Experience with preventative maintenance programs and CMMS systems.
• Ability to coach, train, and mentor technicians on-the-floor.
• Familiarity with parts inventory management and vendor coordination.
• Ownership, urgency, and accountability; self-management without supervision.
• Strong communication with maintenance team, vendors, and operations leadership.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine, preventative, and corrective maintenance on MHE (reach trucks, pallet jacks, order pickers, forklifts).
• Troubleshoot and diagnose mechanical, electrical, and controls failures in real time; assist with downtime recovery.
• Verify and test repairs to ensure proper functionality and quality before returning to service.
• Support PM program compliance by completing PMs on schedule and aiding backlog reduction.
• Mentor technicians on the floor through coaching and training programs.
• Lead and support MHE training activities on equipment types, repair procedures, LOTO, and safety protocols.
• Enforce safety standards including LOTO, PPE, and safe work practices.
• Audit work for quality, accuracy, and proper documentation; maintain high repair and PM standards.
• Use CMMS to document work orders, PMs, and corrective actions.
• Contribute to parts ordering, PM scheduling, and vendor coordination.
• Coordinate with third-party MHE vendors and OEM contractors for specialized repairs, warranty work, and parts sourcing.
• Collaborate with Operations to minimize downtime and align maintenance with production needs.
• Perform battery PM procedures and manage charging cycles per manufacturer specs.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on equipment reliability and uptime.

Skills

MHE maintenance

Troubleshooting

Mentoring on floor

CMMS

Preventative maintenance

Documentation accuracy

Communication

MS Office

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Technical certification in industrial maintenance

Associate degree

OEM MHE certifications

Forklift operator certification

LOTO certification

Tools

CMMS software

Job description

Under the direction of the Maintenance Manager, the MHE III is a highly skilled, hands-on technical expert responsible for performing and supporting the execution of Material Handling Equipment (MHE) maintenance activities at the Roanoke facility. This role is not a supervisory position; it serves as the technical anchor for the maintenance team by setting the standard for craftsmanship, safety, urgency, preventative maintenance compliance, and technical troubleshooting. The MHE III also supports junior technicians through on-the-floor coaching, mentorship, and training program execution.

Pay: $33-$37/hr.

Schedule: 7AM-330PM Sunday- Thursday

Essential Functions:

• Perform routine, preventative, and corrective maintenance on Material Handling Equipment, including reach trucks, pallet jacks, order pickers, and forklifts.
• Troubleshoot and diagnose mechanical, electrical, and controls-related failures in real time and assist with equipment recovery during downtime events.
• Verify and test completed repairs to confirm proper functionality and quality standards before returning equipment to service.
• Support preventative maintenance (PM) program compliance by completing PMs on schedule, assisting with backlog reduction, and supporting equipment upgrades and changeovers.
• Serve as a technical mentor for MHE maintenance technicians by providing on-the-job coaching, sharing technical knowledge, and supporting skill development on the floor.
• Lead and support MHE training activities for maintenance team members, including equipment types, repair procedures, LOTO, and safety protocols.
• Follow and reinforce compliance with all safety standards, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), PPE requirements, and applicable safe work practices.
• Audit completed work for quality, accuracy, and proper documentation; maintain high standards across repair and PM work.
• Use CMMS systems to accurately document work orders, preventative maintenance records, and corrective actions.
• Provide technical input to support parts ordering, PM scheduling, and vendor coordination.
• Coordinate with third-party MHE vendors and OEM contractors for specialized repairs, warranty work, and parts sourcing as needed.
• Partner with Operations leadership to minimize equipment downtime and align maintenance priorities with production and shipping needs.
• Perform battery PM procedures and manage charging cycles in accordance with manufacturer specifications.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on equipment reliability, uptime, and cost efficiency.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support departmental and company.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of hands-on MHE maintenance experience in a warehouse or distribution environment required.
• Strong hands-on knowledge of reach trucks, pallet jacks, order pickers, and forklifts, including mechanical, electrical, and controls-related troubleshooting.
• Ability to independently diagnose and resolve complex equipment issues across multiple MHE platforms.
• Working knowledge of preventative maintenance programs and CMMS systems.
• Ability to coach, train, and mentor technicians with varying experience levels through practical on-the-floor instruction.
• Familiarity with parts inventory management, basic purchasing processes, and vendor coordination.
• Strong sense of ownership, urgency, and accountability; able to self-manage priorities and work effectively without direct supervision.
• Effective communication skills with maintenance team members, vendors, and operations leadership.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite required.

Education & Certifications:

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Technical certification in industrial maintenance, mechatronics, electrical, or a related field preferred; Associate degree preferred.
• OEM MHE certifications such as Crown, Raymond, Toyota, Hyster/Yale, or equivalent preferred.
• Forklift operator and LOTO certifications required or must be obtained within 30 days of hire.
• Additional safety or industry certifications, such as OSHA 10/30, are a plus.