Maintenance Technician

Maintenance Technician

WM Barr is a growing Employee-Owned company that offers full benefits, paid time off and an amazing retirement plan.

Position Summary: This position is responsible for the manufacture of finished products in accordance with Standard Work Instructions and OEM Operating Manuals. This position is responsible for performing basic daily Preventative Maintenance; Clean, Lubrication and Inspection checks; loading materials; and ensuring packing equipment is operating at design rate. Position is responsible for meeting product specification and quality standards. Work is performed under the general direction of the Team Leader or Supervisor and follows prescribed guidelines and procedures in the performance of work activities. This position also supports the training of new employees in production activities.

Key Areas of Accountability: Safety, Quality, Productivity, Mechanical Aptitude.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manufacture finished products in accordance with fill and pack run instructions, production specifications, and quality standards
• Prepares machine for production ensuring efficient equipment operation to meet production standards; operates equipment related to the transfer of the batches into containers and the application of closures to the containers; accurately documents work activities and processes.
• Operates filling machinery at the optimum level to ensure quality and conformity of packaged products; inspects equipment and/or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects; seeks opportunities to minimize downtime and product quality defects.
• Ensures that the correct batch is filled and specified fill weights are maintained during the filling and packaging process; communicates with lab personnel as needed for approval for filling and determining fill weights.
• Performs established set up, breakdown, and changeover responsibilities on all machines following operations and quality procedures.
• Clears jams, stops and resets machine when malfunctions occur; records and, if necessary, reports all malfunctions; troubleshoots and identifies the root cause of errors, malfunctions or other problems or defects; if requiring more than minor repairs will work with mechanic until machine is restored to operating order.
• Responsible for all minor equipment repairs e.g., chain conveyor breaks, photo eye adjustments, prox switches etc. to minimize down time and maintenance involvement.
• Operates computerized machinery including setting, up and staging computer systems.
• Must have the ability to verify proper equipment pneumatics: pressure or vacuum using installed gauges or hand tools. Understand the machine design requirements for these setting and conduct troubleshooting to restore system if needed to proper pressures/vacuum.
• Must have ability to inspect mechanical load cells, grippers, and change-over parts for proper operations, components installed and replace as necessary or due to routine maintenance.
• Must have ability to inspect, track and replace drive belts.
• Must have ability to trouble-shoot issues with sensors including (but not limited to) aligning photo-eyes.
• Documents machine defects beyond their capabilities to repair into CMS.
• Responsible for ensuring that the correct fill weights are maintained during the filling and packaging process; communicates with Production Leadership any issues with achieving specifications in weight.
• Must be able trouble-shoot mechanical issues preventing the machine process from completing its cycle and communicate the issue clearly to maintenance technicians to reduce their repair time.
• Inspects equipment and/or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects
• Responsible for assigned machine preventive maintenance; performs continuous clean downs to ensure smooth continuous running including area inspection with regards to cleanliness and orderliness; keeps Daily Performance Log on machine.
• Performs administrative work to support line activity to include work in process reports, daily schedule control, quantity and quality records, down time, breaks, etc.
• Leads Machine Operators and Production Team Members in the performance of daily production line activities; trains new employees and/or current employees in new processes.
• Observes Barr guidelines on safety, dress code, and housekeeping at all times; reports any potential safety hazards on equipment or machinery in use; wears prescribed personal protective equipment.
• Safely cleans up and disposes of hazardous materials / waste generated during filling operation.
• Maintains work area following general housekeeping and regulatory rules; participates in chemical spill cleanup when necessary.
• Performs all work in accordance with Barr's quality and safety guidelines and procedures; demonstrates clear understanding of these quality and safety objectives.
• Performs activities of Production Team Member as required by business needs; performs other duties or special projects as assigned by Operations Supervisor.

Qualifications/Experience: High school diploma or GED required and a minimum of five years experience in a manufacturing environment requiring the operation and maintenance of mixing, blending, filling, packaging or related equipment. ISO experience a plus. Must have mechanical aptitude and demonstrated competency in the assembly, disassembly, routine maintenance, cleaning and preventive maintenance of various batching, filling and packaging equipment; demonstrated ability to understand all standard operating procedures and use them as a manufacturing tool; must have basic reading, writing, speaking and mathematical skills (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) and an understanding of American standard and metric measures; must have computer skills; must have ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions; have the ability to meet and adhere to all attendance and hours of work requirements; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships; ability to work with hands; ability to work overtime as required; must be able to read, write, speak, and comprehend English.

Work Environment/Physical Demands/Travel: Manufacturing environment with loud noise level. Ability to sit, stand, walk, reach, climb, stoop, talk, hear and see for extended periods of time; frequently lift or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift or move up to 75 pounds; specific vision abilities include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Ability to read and understand documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, batch sheet instructions, correspondence, etc.; ability to write routing reports and correspondence; ability to speak and present information to team members, supervisor, and others in one-on-one or small group situations. Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, fractions and decimals; ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to interpret graphs, charts and other documents. Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed written and oral instructions; ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in routine situations. Ability to have regular exposure to fumes or airborne particles; ability to work near moving equipment. Ability to understand and follow plant safety rules for PPE, chemical spills and grounding and bonding. The use of safety glasses is required.

Barr Brands is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with known physical or mental disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role. Barr Brands will engage in an interactive process with employees and job applicants to identify and provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with known physical or mental disabilities, unless such accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the company's operations. Employees and applicants are encouraged to discuss potential accommodations with the HR department. Barr Brands values diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We believe that diverse teams drive innovation and success, and we are dedicated to creating an environment where all employees feel valued and empowered.