Packaging Maintenance Technician — Growth & Kaizen

LIPTON Teas; Suffolk (VA); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

LIPTON Teas is seeking a Maintenance Apprentice to sustain production assets across Primary and Secondary Tea Packaging equipment and conveyors. You will perform preventive maintenance, troubleshoot electrical and PLC issues, and assist with changeovers while ensuring safety and 5S standards.

The role emphasizes collaboration with multi-craft teams, data entry in CMMS, and adherence to plant KPIs within the WCM framework. A strong safety mindset is essential.

Qualifications

• 5 years electrical or mechanical experience (Food & Beverage industry only).
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Must be able to bend, stoop, reach, and lift 50 lbs.
• Passing score on the Minimizer test and RAMSAY assessment required.
• Pre-screening tests including drug screening may be required.

Responsibilities

• Maintain all tea packaging equipment (primary and secondary).
• Perform Cleaning, Inspection, and Lubrication tasks as defined by WCM plan.
• Support equipment changeover activities including documentation.
• Troubleshoot and diagnose equipment problems.
• Perform machine breakdown repairs and PM activities.
• Electrical or PLC troubleshooting and sensor work.

Skills

Teamwork

Interpersonal skills

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Education

High School diploma or GED

Tools

CMMS

Data collection systems

RAMSAY assessment

Job description

The Maintenance Apprentice plays an essential role in maintaining production assets within the factory. This includes Primary and Secondary Tea Packaging equipment as well as associated Conveyors and Palletizing equipment. The Maintenance Apprentice is responsible for all basic and intermediate trouble shooting, preventative and predictive maintenance and defined WCM/kaizen activities. In addition, the Maintenance Apprentice will act as part of the greater line team and will assist with operation of packaging equipment, changeovers, lubrications and relieve members of the production team as needed. The Maintenance Apprentice reports to the Production Supervisor. This individual is self-motivated and possesses strong teamwork, interpersonal, written/verbal communication, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities of the role (not inclusive):

Maintain all tea packaging equipment (primary and secondary) as assigned.

Perform all required Cleaning, Inspection, and Lubrication tasks as defined by the WCM plan

Support all equipment changeover activities including documentation

Troubleshoot and diagnose equipment problems

Perform machine breakdown repairs and PM activities

Perform basic Electrical and PLC troubleshooting (teach sensors, replace sensors, cord/plug components, etc.)

Partner with multi-craft teams to complete major repairs or PMs

Replace machine parts working to tolerances of +0.002 inches

Troubleshoot and resolve production line bottlenecks

Maintain Equipment/Area spares, tools inventory (shadow boards/5S)

Input required information into Data Collection systems

Initiate and complete all work within the plant CMMS

Ability to search for and locate spare parts in inventory and retrieval system

Document material defects and submit required reports to QA

Execute periodic cleaning tasks for equipment areas and document task completion

Utilize CMMS system to document periodic scheduled tasks (CIL, Training, etc.)

Perform THA, safety risks assessments for responsible equipment

Perform periodic safety inspective as required

Satisfactory completion of assigned training programs and passing score on assigned competency checks

Always puts Safety first when considering an improvement to current/new equipment or process changes.

Perform all work in compliance with plant lockout/tagout procedures and alternate energy control

Knowledge and proper use of all equipment necessary to performing the assigned job.

Understand Plant KPI requirements and fosters/drives teams to meet those requirements using WCM Tools/Techniques

Accountable for high performance standards and able to give and receive constructive feedback

Must have strong interpersonal skills and able to be a link with External parties

Able to participate in the development of training material for next steps in the WCM Process

Must be a high performer/technically capable and self-directed in current/previous role

Electrical or mechanical experience preferred

Skills and experience:

High School diploma or GED

5 years electrical or mechanical experience (Food & Beverage Industry experience only)

Ability to work effectively in a team environment

Must be able to bend, stoop, reach, and lift 50 lbs.

Must achieve qualification level and completion of all training modules associated with assigned equipment

A passing score on the Minimizer test will be required. This is a theoretical and practical/hands-on technical assessment proctored by a third party.

A RAMSAY assessment with a passing score is also required, this is a comprehensive Multicraft and or Mechanical diagnostic assessment.

Employment is subject to verification of pre-screening tests, which may include drug screening, physical and background check.

What’s in it for you

We believe that growth is for everyone, we believe in growing leaders, and we believe in making space to grow an owner’s mentality. Like nature, we adapt, we change, and we grow. We believe in connections over hierarchies and work levels. We have a 'corporate start-up' approach; we act with speed and agility, and we have the strength and scale of a large corporation. We are building a better world of wellbeing, and a better you. LIPTON Teas and Infusions is a leading global products provider of a wide range of industrial supplies and services. We are committed to industry-leading quality, customer service and security, and stable, cost-effective, on-time delivery. We are looking for hard-working team members to help us reach our goal of reaching our customers’ goals and objectives.