Maintenance Lead Technician - 1st Shift (6AM to 2:30PM)

Position Title:  Lead Maintenance Technician	FLSA Status: Non-Exempt/Hourly
Location: Whitehall, Ohio	Department: Maintenance
Report To: Maintenance Supervisor	Posted: 8.10.2026

 About the Company
Our facility located in Whitehall, OH is dedicated to the retail product portfolio with a specialization in rolled dough (pizza, pie, pastry), cookie dough, and new brand expansions. Most importantly, we are GROWING. As we grow, our team members grow with us. If you are looking to do the best work of your career, be a part of an extraordinary company, and have a passion for what we do, we want to hear from you!!
Our Cerelia Whitehall plant may be new, but the history of Cerelia goes back to 1974. As the years have passed, the company has grown from a France-based production company to an international leader.

Position Summary

The Lead Maintenance Technician oversees the reliable performance of production equipment by troubleshooting mechanical and basic electrical issues, executing preventive and corrective maintenance, and guiding continuous improvement initiatives. This role operates and maintains all assigned systems, utilizes the CMMS to manage work orders and documentation, and collaborates closely with maintenance and production teams to optimize line efficiency and equipment uptime. The Lead Technician mentors team members, supports procedure development, and ensures adherence to safety, quality, and food‑manufacturing standards while fostering strong teamwork across shifts in a fast‑paced environment.

 

Primary Responsibilities

Technical Competences:

• Troubleshoot mechanical and basic electrical concerns of the equipment, maintain and improve integrity and performance of line equipment, and complete scheduled work orders.
• Utilizing maintenance windows to perform preventive maintenance inspections and corrective work orders on line equipment as assigned by the Maintenance Department to prevent mechanical and/or electrical breakdowns.
• Participate in the development improvement of a documented maintenance procedures in the CMMS.
• Develop and implement improvements using learnings from emergent equipment work to prevent reoccurring equipment failures.
• Utilize the CMMS to create notifications, perform and confirm completed work orders while holding crew accountable for use of the system.
• Must be able to operate and maintain all equipment in assigned area, which entails being able to setup, start-up, and adjust equipment, properly shutdown and changeover as required by company standards.
• Must be able to read blueprints and schematics.
• Knowledgeable in fabrication of small machine parts, guards, etc. is preferred.
• Knowledgeable on the operation and repair of pneumatic and hydraulic, cylinders, valves, accumulators, and compressor and pipefitting.
• Troubleshoot hydraulic, pneumatic, and steam processes for failure points and repair problems in those systems.

Leadership/ Teamwork

• Communicate and coordinate with maintenance team and production management any maintenance activities required on assigned equipment to ensure optimum line efficiency and product quality.
• Communicate with other line technicians and leads on other shifts, as necessary, to ensure coordination of all maintenance efforts on assigned equipment and effectively operate as part of a team.
• Support implementation of department ideas/suggestions.
• Maintain a good working relationship with all employees on all shifts
• Work with team to optimize product/material sequencing to minimize changeover time and to implement continuous improvement initiatives.
• Mentor and coach as needed on various maintenance and operational aspects to master their technical understanding of equipment and process controls.
• Work with supervisor to identify and develop crew in areas needing exposure and knowledge.

Quality Assurance

• Follow established programs, policies, and practices to produce safe, quality foods that meet SQF, regulatory, company, and customer requirements.
• Maintain equipment plus sustain a sanitary and clean environment during all phases of production and maintenance.
• Perform all mandatory quality testing/checks and complete all related documentation and paperwork for department operations: Quality, Safety, etc.

Health & Safety

• Follow company safety policies and practices fostering a safe workplace and environment for ourselves and our co-workers.
• Conform to Company policy and procedures including, but not limited to: Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s), Lock Out/Tag Out, HACCP check points, Quality Standards, Fall Protection, Hot Work, OSHA Regulations, and all others
• Report unsafe acts and conditions to production and maintenance management and correct.

 

Requirements

Education and/ or Experience:

• H.S. diploma required.
• 2-3 years industrial MRO purchasing required, food industry is a plus
• Degree or certifications in a maintenance related field preferred  
• Knowledge of OSHA requirements
• Understanding of food safety practices in a manufacturing environment preferred.

Communication and Analytical Skills:

• Effective communication and listening skills
• Strong problem decision-making skills
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills to identify issues, trends and drive solutions .

Other Skills and Abilities:

• Proficient in computer skills (Microsoft excel, word, outlook and CMMS system to plan and close work orders)
• Strong interpersonal skills demonstrating dignity, respect, candor and commitment.
• Strong leadership and team building skills.
• Demonstrated expertise in handling multiple projects and meeting deadlines in a complex manufacturing environment .
• Ability to work long shifts of 10 hours or more, including days or nights, and some weekends.
• Must be comfortable working in an environment that handles pork products, alcohol, gluten, milk/dairy, and potentially tree nuts and peanuts

 

Core Competencies          

• Drive High Performance : Establish clear accountability for outcomes. Stays focused and discipline in planning and execution. Takes initiatives to overcome challenges. Celebrates wins and acts with urgency to keep momentum.
• Collaborate : Works as One Team. Builds relationships and makes commitments to others and follows through. An active listener who understands and communicates openly while engaging in healthy debate. Supports and execute decisions when they are made.
• Innovate : challenge the status quo by pro-actively identify opportunities to make things better. Encourages team to share best practices, be creative and try new things. Experiments, incorporates learning and adjusts as needed. Acts with speed and agility while accepting and learning from failure.
• Can-do attitude : has a pragmatic view on reality while understanding the challenges and perspectives across the organization. Pro-actively and easily connects with the customers, factories and the different stakeholders. Acts like an owner by providing ready-to-go solutions.  
• Accuracy and attention to detail: ability to digest high amount of information to transform into actionable insights to drive business development, with a mindset of value generation