Industrial Maintenance Mechanic -- Food Processing & Packaging Systems

Job Description

Job Description

Industrial Maintenance Mechanic — Food Processing & Packaging Systems

Location: Wheeling, IL

Compensation: $65,000–$95,000 annually, based on experience

Primary Hours: 12:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. (flexibility for occasional off-shift coverage; periodic third-shift overlap and brief travel to Bensenville)

A day in this role

It’s just before noon in a specialty food plant, and production is ramping up. A conveyor hesitates, a VFD throws a fault, and the 70-foot tunnel oven needs a combustion check before the next run. You’re the person the team turns to—moving from diagnosing an electrical issue on a labeler to tuning a pneumatic cylinder on a sheeter, then tightening a chain drive on an extruder. Between calls, you log downtime and document the fix, coordinate a vendor for a specialized repair, and recommend a practical tweak to stop a recurring jam on the over-wrapper.

This is a hands-on, independent role in a smaller manufacturing environment where you take ownership of equipment reliability and keep the line moving.

What you’ll handle

• Troubleshoot and repair mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic systems, including gas-burning oven components
• Respond rapidly to production breakdowns and complete preventive maintenance
• Work with motors and Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)
• Maintain process equipment: a 70-foot tunnel oven, sheeters, conveyors, mixers, extruders, oil sprayers, and topping systems
• Repair packaging systems: horizontal over-wrappers, vertical fill machines, labelers, and shrink wrappers
• Support utilities such as refrigeration equipment and air compressors
• Track equipment downtime and document repairs; recommend improvements to cut repeat failures
• Coordinate with outside service providers when specialized expertise is needed
• Occasionally support the nearby Bensenville facility

What you bring

• 3+ years of industrial maintenance experience (5+ preferred)
• Proven skill with electrical maintenance, pneumatics, gas-burning ovens, and VFDs
• Strength in mechanical troubleshooting and completing repairs independently
• Comfort working across production and packaging equipment
• Safety-first mindset, reliability, and adaptability to wear multiple hats
• Experience in food, beverage, or bakery manufacturing is preferred

No PLC programming required—there are no PLCs in this environment.

Schedule

Core hours are noon–8 p.m. Anticipated schedule is approximately four days per week; final days and total weekly hours are being confirmed. Expect occasional third-shift overlap, off-shift support, and brief travel to Bensenville as needed.

Compensation & benefits

• $65,000–$95,000 per year, commensurate with experience
• Bonus opportunity tied to downtime reduction
• 401(k) plan
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance after 90 days, with a 50% company contribution
• Up to three weeks of paid vacation, based on tenure

If you love solving problems, turning wrenches, and keeping lines humming, we’d like to meet you.