Technical Leader

The J.M. Smucker Company; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

The J. M. Smucker Co. is seeking a Technical Leader for our McCalla, AL Uncrustables® Manufacturing Plant.

You will build technical capability, maximize equipment reliability, and develop high-performing teams in a fast-growing environment. In this on-site role, you will drive safety, continuous improvement, and operational excellence while shaping the future of a world-class manufacturing operation. If you’re energized by solving complex challenges and developing people and processes, we’d love

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred; technical degree and/or equivalent related experience required.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant manufacturing, maintenance, engineering, or technical leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Enhance safety, quality, and productivity by providing technical expertise and guidance.
• Drive a high-performance culture on the production floor and coach problem-solving and decision-making.
• Maximize equipment availability and extend asset life through preventive maintenance strategies.
• Serve as SME for designated equipment and provide hands-on support to operations and maintenance teams.
• Develop and implement maintenance procedures and spare parts strategies.
• Lead cross-functional teams on cost savings, productivity improvements, and strategic technical projects.

Skills

Leadership

Problem-solving

Communication

Team building

Troubleshooting

Analytical thinking

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Technical degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Proficy

Oracle eAM

SAP

Job description

Your Opportunity as the Technical Leader Join the team behind one of America's most loved brands at our state-of-the-art Uncrustables® manufacturing facility in McCalla, Alabama. As a Technical Leader, you'll play a critical role in building technical capability, maximizing equipment reliability, and developing high-performing teams in a fast-paced, rapidly growing environment.

This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact by driving safety, continuous improvement, operational excellence, and technical innovation while helping shape the future of a world-class manufacturing operation. This role offers the opportunity to make a visible impact, lead transformative technical initiatives, develop people and processes, and help shape the future of a rapidly expanding manufacturing operation. If you're energized by solving complex challenges, building technical capability, and creating a culture of continuous improvement, we'd love to hear from you.

Location: McCalla, AL | Uncrustables® Manufacturing Plant Work Arrangements: 100% On-site Willingness to work extended hours and flow to the work as needed

In this role you will:

• Enhance overall safety, quality, and productivity in the Bakery or Sandwich Making department by providing technical expertise and guidance, implementing effective predictive and preventative maintenance programs, and building capability across operations teams.
• Drive a high-performance culture by engaging with team members on the production floor, coaching problem‑solving, decision‑making, and technical ownership.
• Maximize equipment availability, minimize unplanned downtime, and extend asset life through sustainable preventive maintenance strategies and loss elimination initiatives.
• Serve as the technical subject matter expert for designated equipment and systems while providing hands‑on support to operations and maintenance teams.
• Build mastery‑level technical skills in advanced technicians while developing troubleshooting and equipment ownership capabilities across all technician levels.
• Ensure technical documentation, preventive maintenance programs, maintenance procedures, and spare parts strategies are established and maintained.
• Lead the development and continuous improvement of maintenance procedures to strengthen overall equipment reliability.
• Coach teams and department leadership on effective maintenance planning and execution.
• Develop and manage technical budgets that support operational and reliability goals.
• Own and champion a critical safety and/or quality system.
• Participate in the development, execution, and continuous improvement of advanced mechanical training and qualification programs.
• Lead cross‑functional teams to deliver cost savings, productivity improvements, and strategic technical projects.
• Establish and maintain equipment standards while supporting design reviews and technical evaluations for capital projects.
• Assist in coordinating Commissioning, Qualification, and Verification (CQV) activities to support plant startup and operational readiness.
• Partner with Area Leaders, Process Engineers, and Coordinators to develop work plans that maximize sanitation effectiveness, startup readiness, and production efficiency.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities that improve safety, reliability, quality, and operational performance.

What we are looking for:

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree preferred; technical degree and/or equivalent related experience required.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant manufacturing, maintenance, engineering, or technical leadership experience.

Additional skills and experience that we think would make someone successful in this role:

• Minimum of 2 years leading, supervising, or managing others in a manufacturing environment preferred.
• Mechanical and electrical experience within food manufacturing preferred.
• Strong ability to engage, develop, and lead teams on the production floor.
• Proven ability to influence, collaborate, and drive results in a team‑based environment.
• Demonstrated analytical troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and problem‑solving skills.
• Self‑motivated with a strong sense of urgency and a passion for coaching and developing others.
• Proven success driving maintenance excellence through preventive maintenance and reliability systems.
• Experience utilizing plant systems software such as Proficy, Oracle eAM, SAP, or similar platforms.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines.
• Effective verbal, written, presentation, and communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship‑building skills.
• Ability to travel as needed to support plant startup and operational initiatives.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule to best support business needs.
• Ability to support off‑shift, weekend, or emergency business requirements when necessary.
• Open to managing operating teams as a backup leader or future developmental assignment.
• Experience directing contractors, vendors, and external technical resources.

The Right Place for You

We are bold, kind, strive to do the right thing, we play to win, and we believe in a strong community that thrives together.

Our culture is rooted in our Basic Beliefs, and we believe in supporting every employee by meeting their physical, emotional, and financial needs.

Stay connected with us on LinkedIn®

We’re an equal opportunity employer.

All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or genetic information, age, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status.

We’re a community of passionate, talented professionals dedicated to creating food people and pets love—while supporting the communities in which we work and live.

We value what makes each person unique, champion growth and development, and foster collaboration that fuels productivity and drives our shared success.

Learn more about our Thrive Together purpose

At Smucker, we're passionate about creating a workplace where you truly belong.

With a culture rooted in our Basic Beliefs and a competitive Total Rewards program, we aim to support every employee by meeting their physical, emotional, and financial needs.

Learn more about working at Smucker

Our culture is sustained and brought to life every day by the people of Smucker and our hiring process is designed to identify the right candidate for every position at our company.

Learn more about our hiring process

The J. M. Smucker Co. (the “Company”) is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

No person will be discriminated against in hiring or in any other aspect of their employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, marital status, familial status, disability, genetic information, protected veteran/military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.