Maintenance Specialist - Brea Central Kitchen

The Maintenance Specialist supports 85°C Bakery Cafe's production facilities by ensuring all bakery production equipment, utilities, and building systems operate safely, efficiently, and in compliance with food safety and company standards. This role serves as a senior technical expert within the production maintenance team, leads complex troubleshooting, supports preventative maintenance programs, and partners closely with Operations, QA, and Engineering to maximize uptime and product quality.

Key Responsibilities

Production Equipment & Facility Maintenance

• Perform advanced preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance on production bakery equipment, including ovens, mixers, proofers, sheeters, conveyors, packaging equipment, and industrial refrigeration
• Maintain and troubleshoot facility systems such as HVAC, compressed air, steam, plumbing, electrical, and building infrastructure
• Diagnose complex mechanical and electrical failures and lead root cause analysis to prevent recurrence
• Support installation, commissioning, and modification of production equipment and facility systems
• Respond promptly to equipment downtime and production-impacting maintenance issues

Safety, Food Safety & Compliance

• Ensure all maintenance activities comply with OSHA regulations, FDA and local health department requirements, and 85°C Bakery Cafe food safety standards
• Follow and enforce GMPs, sanitation, allergen control, and food defense requirements during maintenance work
• Maintain accurate maintenance records, work orders, and documentation within the CMMS
• Support internal audits, customer audits, and regulatory inspections

Required

• 2+ years of maintenance experience in food manufacturing, bakery production, or industrial manufacturing environments
• Strong expertise in mechanical, electrical, and control systems
• Hands-on experience with industrial bakery or food processing equipment
• Skill and knowledge of mechanical and electronics, at least 6 months' work experience able to read diagrams, blueprints, and schematics
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills
• Comply with safety policy and procedures
• Good communication skill, both written and verbal
• Ability to work flexible hours to support production schedules, including off-shifts and emergencies
• Willing to do attitude and team player

Preferred

• Experience in high-volume bakery or food manufacturing environments
• HVAC, refrigeration (EPA), electrical, or PLC troubleshooting experience
• CMMS experience
• Bilingual (English/Mandarin or English/Spanish) is a plus

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and climb ladders for extended periods
• Ability to work in hot production areas and cold storage environments

Success Measures

• Reduced unplanned production downtime
• Strong audit and food safety performance
• Improved equipment reliability and PM compliance
• Effective technical leadership and knowledge sharing within the maintenance team

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, vision and accident insurance, as well as company paid life and AD&D insurance.
• 401(k) with generous matching and no vesting schedule.
• Sick leave and vacation.
• Employee discount.

This position requires moderate physical activity. Employees must have sufficient strength to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position including moderate lifting (up to 50 pounds), walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, and squatting. This position requires nearly continuous standing and walking, repetitive hand motions, and reaching overhead. Employees may be exposed to unusual elements including extreme temperatures of coolers and freezers. Job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.