Industrial Lubrication Technician

Department: 93

Reports To: Maintenance Superintendent


FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Worker Category: FT, Tmp, or Seasonal

Position Summary

The Lubrication Technician is responsible for the inspection, lubrication, and preventive maintenance of all rotating and mechanical equipment throughout the cottonseed oil mill. This position plays a critical role in maximizing equipment reliability, reducing downtime, and extending asset life in a high-temperature, heavy industrial processing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform routine lubrication of bearings, gearboxes, chains, motors, pumps, conveyors, presses, extractors, and other processing equipment.
• Monitor oil levels, grease points, and lubrication intervals according to preventive maintenance schedules.
• Collect oil samples for analysis and maintain oil analysis records.
• Inspect equipment for signs of wear, overheating, contamination, vibration, or mechanical failure.
• Replace filters, breathers, and lubricants as required.
• Maintain proper labeling, storage, and handling of lubricants to prevent cross-contamination.
• Assist maintenance team with minor mechanical repairs and component replacements.
• Maintain accurate documentation of lubrication activities within the CMMS system.
• Follow all lockout/tagout procedures and safety protocols.
• Support plant shutdowns, turnarounds, and emergency repairs as needed.
• Maintain housekeeping standards in lubrication rooms and maintenance areas.
• Identify opportunities to improve lubrication reliability and efficiency.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or GED preferred but not required.
• 2+ years of industrial maintenance or lubrication experience preferred.
• Experience in oilseed processing, grain handling, or manufacturing environment preferred.

Technical Skills

• Knowledge of industrial lubrication practices and standards.
• Understanding of bearings, gearboxes, pumps, and rotating equipment.
• Ability to read equipment manuals and lubrication charts.
• Familiarity with preventive maintenance systems (CMMS preferred).
• Basic mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work in confined spaces, elevated areas, and high-temperature environments.
• Frequent walking, climbing stairs and ladders, bending, kneeling, and reaching.
• Must be able to wear required PPE including respirators, hard hats, gloves, and eye protection.

Work Schedule

• Full-time position.
• Typical schedule: Monday-Friday with overtime as needed.
• Must be available to work weekends, call-outs, and rotating shifts during peak production or shutdown periods.

Work Environment

This position operates in a heavy industrial cottonseed oil processing facility. Exposure to heat, noise, dust, mechanical hazards, and industrial chemicals is expected.

Competencies

• Strong attention to detail
• Reliability and accountability
• Safety-focused mindset
• Team-oriented
• Mechanical aptitude
• Time management skills

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE: Less than high school education; or up to one month experience or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.


LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information one-on-one and in small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to add and subtract two-digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10's and 100's. Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: Driver's license preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work performed in a production facility with exposure to moving machinery, high noise levels, dust, and hot/cold environments.
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, climbing ladders, and lifting up to 50 lbs, and working at heights of 20+ feet or more.
• Must be willing to work flexible shifts, including nights, weekends, and overtime as needed.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk. The employee frequently is required to talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

This is a safety sensitive position and all applicable policies including drug tests and background check will apply.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts and in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, risk of electrical shock, and vibration.

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud and requires necessary ear protection. Use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, respirators, hearing protectors, etc. is required in designated areas.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

Plainsman Company, LLC. is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

We value diversity and inclusion in our workplace and believe that a variety of perspectives foster innovation and success. Our hiring, promotion, compensation, and training practices are designed to ensure fairness and equity for all employees.

PLAINSMAN COMPANY, LLC. complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment, including but not limited to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and other relevant statutes