OVERVIEW:
The Maintenance Worker I is responsible for performing general facility, equipment, and preventative maintenance activities to support safe and efficient operations within a food manufacturing and warehouse environment. This entry-level maintenance position assists with building repairs, equipment upkeep, preventative maintenance tasks, and facility improvements while following company safety, food safety, and maintenance procedures.
The Maintenance Worker I supports the maintenance department in minimizing equipment downtime, maintaining facility conditions, and ensuring operational areas remain safe, clean, and functional. This position may work in production, warehouse, office, refrigeration, and outdoor environments and is expected to maintain compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), food safety standards, and company safety policies.
ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES/FUNCTIONS:
- Perform general maintenance and repair activities throughout production, warehouse, office, and facility areas.
- Assist with preventative maintenance activities on production equipment, refrigeration systems, coolers, chillers, boilers, plumbing systems, water systems, and facility infrastructure.
- Perform basic troubleshooting and minor repairs on mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and building systems under the direction of maintenance leadership.
- Complete routine building upkeep tasks including painting, sanitation support, grounds maintenance, and general facility repairs.
- Assist with facility improvement projects, equipment installations, and basic construction or build-out activities as assigned.
- Perform landscaping, lawn care, snow removal, salting, and exterior grounds maintenance activities at company locations.
- Safely operate maintenance tools, ladders, hand tools, power tools, forklifts, pallet jacks, or other maintenance equipment following training and safety procedures.
- Maintain accurate preventative maintenance records, repair logs, work orders, and maintenance documentation as required.
- Identify and report equipment concerns, safety hazards, building damage, or operational issues to maintenance leadership.
- Follow lockout/tagout (LOTO), food safety, GMP, OSHA, and company safety procedures at all times.
- Maintain clean, organized, and safe maintenance work areas and storage locations.
- Support emergency maintenance needs and operational downtime situations as directed.
- Maintain regular and reliable attendance and flexibility to support operational maintenance needs, including overtime or weekend work when required.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
COMPETENCIES:
- Ability to adapt to changing operational and maintenance priorities.
- Basic mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills.
- Ability to safely use maintenance tools and equipment.
- Ability to follow written and verbal instructions and maintenance procedures.
- Strong attendance, dependability, and accountability.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Basic organizational and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors and team members.
- Commitment to workplace safety and food safety standards.
- Ability to learn preventative maintenance processes and equipment systems.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- High School diploma or GED preferred.
- Previous maintenance, mechanical, construction, warehouse, or manufacturing experience preferred but not required.
- Basic knowledge of hand tools, power tools, and maintenance equipment preferred.
- Ability to work safely in a food manufacturing and warehouse environment.
- Ability to work overtime, weekends, or flexible schedules as operational needs require.
- Forklift certification or ability to obtain certification preferred.
- 0–2 years of maintenance, mechanical, manufacturing, construction, or related experience preferred.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed in a food manufacturing, warehouse, office, refrigeration, and outdoor environment with frequent exposure to cold temperatures, wet and slippery floors, moving mechanical equipment, refrigeration systems, loud noise levels, cleaning chemicals, dust, and varying weather conditions. Employees may work around production equipment, conveyors, forklifts, electrical systems, plumbing systems, boilers, compressors, and maintenance tools in active operational areas.
The position may require work in refrigerated environments, mechanical rooms, rooftops, loading docks, outdoor grounds, and confined or elevated work areas depending on maintenance assignments. Work schedules may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, overtime, and emergency response situations based on operational and maintenance needs.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
This position is physically demanding and requires frequent movement and physical activity throughout the work shift. Employees must be able to stand, walk, bend, squat, kneel, climb ladders, crawl, twist, and reach throughout the day while performing maintenance and repair activities. The role requires frequent use of hands and arms to handle tools, equipment, parts, and maintenance materials.
Employees must frequently lift and carry up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift heavier items with assistance or mechanical lifting equipment. The position may require pushing, pulling, and maneuvering maintenance tools, equipment, parts, hoses, or materials throughout the facility. Employees may occasionally work at heights, in confined spaces, or in outdoor weather conditions while performing maintenance duties.
Vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, color vision, and the ability to identify equipment concerns, safety hazards, gauges, labels, and maintenance issues. Employees must also be able to safely wear and use required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which may include hearing protection, gloves, safety glasses, face shields, steel-toed footwear, fall protection equipment, freezer gear, or respiratory protection depending on job duties.
The physical demands described are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.