Maintenance Technician VT Smoke and Cure

Maintenance Technician

(Friday-Sunday 6:00am-6:30pm; 20% Shift Differential)

RATE BASED UPON EXPERIENCE

Will not pay for relocation

Job Description

At Vermont Smoke & Cure, we’ve been consciously crafting delicious smoked meats using humanely raised meats and simple local ingredients since 1962. Our team of employee-owners make everything right here in our Smokehouse in the hills of Vermont. The beauty is - it all combines to create the finest flavor in every bite. Our growth requires quality-minded, productive, engaged and reliable people to join our staff.

SUMMARY: The Maintenance Technician is responsible for helping to build the Vermont Smoke & Cure (VS&C) Maintenance programs. Responsible for maintaining Plant equipment and facility to ensure reliable and efficient operation in support of the production and distribution teams. Works to support the Production and Quality Teams to increase safety, quality, up-time, and efficiency. The position will focus on creating standard work/documentation for preventative, autonomous, predictive, reliability improvement and continuous improvement to meet company goals, including safety, quality and operational performance targets, while taking reactive maintenance calls.

As with a small team it will require everyone to wear multiple hats and work cross functionally to support/help each other. Teamwork and being flexible is going to be key to making this weekend shift a success.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: This position has no direct reports.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

General and specific responsibilities for Vermont Smoke and Cure Food Safety and Quality Systems and Programs

Hold non-conforming product and equipment.

Follow QMS standards, policies and procedures

Provides coverage in the absence of the Maintenance Manager and other Maintenance Technicians.

Develop/Create/Maintain equipment maintenance program including predictive, autonomous, preventative and emergency work procedures and protocols.

Diagnose causes of electrical, mechanical malfunction, failure of equipment, system repairs and replace defective components.

Troubleshoot electrical systems.

Facilities equipment experience preferred. Electrical, refrigeration and general construction.

Works closely with vendors new/old equipment creating standard work, preventative, autonomous, predictive and reliability programs - as well as ordering parts when/if needed.

Drives adherence to and awareness of safety standards in all processes and practices.

Ensures the Food Safety and Quality standards of the company are consistently maintained.

Supports reliability and production improvement initiatives, including the training of personnel and process engineering.

Works to support the production teams to continuously improve production up-time, efficiency and process effectiveness.

Supervises contractors and technical specialists on-site so that only competent, well trained personnel are performing professional work on our Plant equipment, utilities and facilities.

All other duties as assigned and directed.

To Be Successful in this Position:

Functional/Technical Skills – Must be proficient in mechanical, electrical and chemical systems and understand how they are used in manufacturing. Skilled with tools, equipment maintenance, and parts fabrication and sourcing.

Electrical Skills – Strong knowledge of electrical theory. Proficient in reading electrical schematics and troubleshooting using electrical testing equipment (multi-meter, amp meter, ect.). Analyzes and repairs electro–mechanical equipment, fixtures, and process control equipment including PLCs, sensors, drives, instrumentations, AC/DC motors, etc.

Facilities Skills:

Understanding and ability to troubleshoot refrigeration systems.

Perform minor electrical maintenance to include but limited to replacement or repair of fixtures (Example: wall switches, outlets, incandescent and florescent bulbs, ballast, sockets, fuses, minor appliances, cords.

Perform minor plumbing maintenance (Example: Replacement or repair of leaks in drains and faucets, unclogging of drains, trenching and laying of new liens, replacing drain hoses).

Perform minor painting, carpentry and masonry work.

Integrity and Trust – Given the critical role of this position, the reliability of character is paramount. Expected to build effective partnerships and relationships with team members at all levels. Takes an inclusive approach to all maintenance activities.

Communication – Proactively communicates with team members, effective communicator; friendly and engaging style. Good written and verbal communication skills, decision making ability and mathematical knowledge.

Problem Solving – Uses rigorous logic and methods to solve difficult problems with effective and practical solutions. Involves team members in problem solving/root cause corrective action.

Process Management – effectively organizes people and activities, sees opportunities for synergy and integration, and how to simplify complex processes. Anticipates potential equipment issues and takes proactive steps to initiate processes and improvement methods to ensure efficient operation and reduce down time.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications – Word, Excel, Outlook.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION:

Technical College Degree in related field preferred.

Minimum 5 years’ experience in a maintenance or electrical technician role.

EXPERIENCE:

Minimum of 5 years’ maintenance experience troubleshooting, repairing and maintaining equipment in food manufacturing, including automated packaging equipment, and gas cooking systems. Preferred experience welding and metal fabrication.

Preferred experience creating/using sustainable maintenance programs (Lock Out/Tag Out, Root Cause Corrective Action).

Preferred experience developing autonomous maintenance programs.

Preferred experience with HACCP systems, ideally in a USDA regulated environment.

Understanding and application of Lean and other process engineering and maintenance management disciplines.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS:

Must be able to operate and use all necessary equipment.

Must be able to climb ladders, lift items that can weigh 50 pounds, and stand on concrete floors for extended periods of time.

Frequent sitting, use of hands, tools or controls. Required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.

Communicate effectively; read, count and write to accurately complete all documentation in English.

Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Frequently works inside a meat processing facility with cold (38F) and wet as well as hot and humid conditions.

Frequently works near moving mechanical parts.

Noise level for the work area is moderate.

Expected Hours of Work: This is a full time position, 6:00am to 6:30pm, but the position is on call and is occasionally called back to the plant during off-duty hours.

Job Type: Full-time