Lubrication Technician

Company Description

At Link Snacks , we show up hungry, roll up our sleeves, plaid or otherwise, and dive straight into the hard work. We don't hide from challenges; we hunt them down. We push harder, move faster, and take the kinds of big swings that built this business in the North Woods of Wisconsin four decades ago.

We're everyday people who deliver extraordinary results. Innovation, creativity, and urgency aren't buzzwords, they're expectations. And just like the real protein snacks we make across our global house of brands-Jack Link's®, Lorissa's Kitchen®, Golden Island®, BiFi®, and Peperami® and KOOEE!® to name a few-there's nothing artificial about us. What you see is exactly what you get: humble, gritty, passionate people who show up every day ready to not just be a participate in the meat snack industry that the Link Family created, but to move faster, innovate harder and keep raising the bar so high, the rest of the world needs a ladder just to see it.

Dominating this space across the world takes a team. A team that runs together, succeeds together, and celebrates together. A team that's full of relentless energy and spirit that can only be fueled by one thing: a fist full of our delicious meat snacks.

Real Meat Protein. Real People. Real Results. THAT is Link Snacks.

Job Description

The Lubrication Technician is responsible for executing Perry's world-class lubrication and asset care program to improve equipment reliability, reduce unplanned downtime, extend asset life, and lower maintenance costs. This position performs lubrication routes, oil sampling, contamination control activities, asset inspections, and lubrication PMs across production, packaging, utilities, refrigeration, and facility systems.

The Lubrication Technician serves as the facility subject matter expert for lubricant selection, lubrication best practices, contamination prevention, oil analysis, and equipment asset care. The role partners closely with the Reliability Engineer, PdM Technician, Maintenance Supervisors, and Asset Reliability Planner to support Perry's reliability strategy and TPM journey.

The primary purpose of this role is to:

• Reduce lubrication-related equipment failures
• Improve asset reliability
• Increase equipment life expectancy
• Prevent contamination-related failures
• Improve PM effectiveness
• Support planned maintenance activities
• Increase uptime across critical processing and packaging asset

Key Responsibilities (Lubrication Program Execution)

• Execute all scheduled lubrication routes and tasks.
• Lubricate equipment according to approved lubrication standards.
• Verify proper lubricant types and quantities.
• Inspect lubrication points for proper function and condition.
• Maintain lubrication frequencies and schedules.
• Update lubrication records within the CMMS system.
• Support shutdown lubrication activities.

Oil Sampling Program

• Collect oil samples according to established schedules.
• Prepare and submit samples for laboratory analysis.
• Review oil analysis reports with the Reliability Engineer.
• Identify contamination concerns.
• Monitor lubricant condition and degradation trends.
• Initiate work orders based on oil analysis findings.

Asset Condition Monitoring

Perform routine inspections of:

• Bearings
• Gearboxes
• Motors
• Chains
• Couplings
• Pumps
• Hydraulic systems
• Pneumatic systems

Document and communicate abnormal conditions including:

• Leaks
• Contamination
• High temperatures
• Excessive vibration
• Lubricant degradation

Lubrication Storage & Inventory Management

Own and manage lubrication systems including:

• Lubricant storage room
• Bulk lubrication systems
• Grease inventory
• Oil inventory
• Contamination control standards

Responsibilities include:

• Proper storage practices
• Labeling systems
• Lubricant identification
• Inventory rotation
• Vendor coordination

Precision Lubrication

Support implementation of precision lubrication practices including:

• Correct lubricant selection
• Proper filtration techniques
• Contamination prevention
• Moisture control
• Breather management
• Lubricant handling procedures

Reliability Improvement Support

Partner with the Reliability Engineer to:

• Analyze lubrication-related failures
• Support Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA)
• Develop lubrication PM standards
• Improve Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF)
• Reduce equipment downtime

TPM Support

Support TPM initiatives including:

• Autonomous Maintenance development
• Operator asset care training
• Equipment basic conditions
• Centerlining activities
• Focused improvement projects

Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance

Maintain compliance with:

• GMP requirements
• HACCP requirements
• USDA expectations
• Plant sanitation policies
• Food safety standards
• Environmental regulations
• Lockout/Tagout procedures

Ensure lubrication activities do not create product contamination risks.

Primary Assets Supported

Packaging Systems

• Multivac thermoformers
• Conveyors
• Vacuum pumps
• Case packers
• Labeling equipment
• Robotics

Processing Systems

• Mixers
• Grinders
• Stuffers
• Pumps
• Conveyors

Utilities

• Air compressors
• Refrigeration compressors
• Cooling tower equipment
• Boilers
• Water systems

Facility Assets

• Motors
• Gearboxes
• Bearings
• Fans
• HVAC equipment
• Material handling systems

Qualifications

Education

One of the following:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Technical School Certification
• Industrial Maintenance Training

Experience

• Minimum 3 years industrial maintenance experience
• Experience performing lubrication routes preferred
• Manufacturing experience required
• Food manufacturing experience preferred

Preferred Certifications

• Machinery Lubrication Technician (MLT I or II)
• ICML Certification
• Oil Analysis Certification
• Certified Maintenance & Reliability Technician (CMRT)
• Precision Lubrication Certification

Required Technical Skills

• Industrial maintenance fundamentals
• Lubrication practices
• Mechanical systems knowledge
• CMMS experience
• Basic computer skills
• Microsoft Excel

Preferred

• Oil analysis interpretation
• SAP PM
• Fiix
• Maintenance Connection
• Reliability software
• Precision lubrication practices

Success Measures - First 12 Months

First 90 Days

• Complete lubrication route assessments.
• Establish lubricant inventory controls.
• Develop critical equipment lubrication maps.
• Complete lubrication asset registry review.

First 6 Months

• Achieve >95% route completion compliance.
• Eliminate lubrication-related PM backlog.
• Implement contamination control standards.
• Expand oil sampling coverage of critical assets.

First 12 Months

• Reduce lubrication-related equipment failures by 25%.
• Improve bearing life on critical packaging assets.
• Improve equipment uptime across packaging and utilities.
• Support reduction of maintenance overtime from 12.9% toward <8%.
• Contribute to Perry's reliability and TPM initiatives supporting 21MM+ annual pounds.

Why This Position Exists at Perry

Perry's 2027 growth plan requires increased equipment reliability, reduced maintenance overtime, improved PM effectiveness, and stronger asset care practices. Industry studies consistently show that poor lubrication practices are among the leading causes of rotating equipment failures.

The Lubrication Technician provides a dedicated reliability resource focused on precision lubrication, contamination control, and asset health preservation. This role supports Perry's transition from reactive maintenance to proactive reliability management and is expected to deliver measurable improvements in equipment uptime, maintenance costs, asset life, and overall plant performance.

Additional Information

The starting rate for this role is $29 - $34 (Hourly) . Actual salaries will vary based on several factors, including but not limited to external market data, internal equity, location, and candidate skill set and experience. Base pay is just one component of Link Snacks Total Rewards package for Team Members. Other rewards may include annual incentive and program-specific awards. Link Snacks provides a variety of benefits to eligible Team Members, including medical, dental and vision benefits, life and disability insurance, 401k participation, paid holidays, and paid time off.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS :

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a Team Member to successfully perform 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 Team Member will be required to wear the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (i.e beard/hairnet, ear plugs, frock, boots, etc), stand for extended periods of time, and use hands/arms to push, pull, reach and occasionally lift above head. The Team Member must occasionally lift, push, pull up to 25 pounds and 50 pounds infrequently. Team Members are requested to visually inspect equipment and/or product.


WORK ENVIRONMENT :

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a Team Member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The work environment is a plant setting with wet/slippery floors, varying degrees of temperatures with an average temperature of 40 degrees in the production area. Team Members will be exposed to raw and/or cooked meat products and moving equipment and will be required to follow all Food Safety Quality requirements.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
Link Snacks is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

E-Verify
Link Snacks provides the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new Team Member's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. IMPORTANT: If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, we are required to provide you written instructions and an opportunity to contact SSA and/or DHS before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. We do not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants or to re-verify current employees and may not limit or influence the choice of documents presented for use on the Form I-9. In order to determine whether Form I-9 documentation is valid, we use E-Verify's photo screening tool to match the photograph appearing on some permanent resident and employment authorization cards with the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' (USCIS) photograph. If you believe that Link Snacks has violated our responsibilities under this program or has discriminated against you during the verification process based upon your national origin or citizenship status, please call the Office of Special Counsel at View phone number on click.appcast.io (TDD: View phone number on click.appcast.io).

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.