Industrial Maintenance Technician

Maintenance Technician

This role supports the maintenance and safe operation of peanut shelling and buying point facilities by performing mechanical, electrical, and fabrication work appropriate to Maintenance Technician Levels I–IV. Entry-level technicians learn core maintenance tasks under close supervision, while higher-level technicians independently troubleshoot complex issues, perform advanced fabrication and electrical work, and help coordinate and direct other maintenance staff. The position focuses on keeping plant equipment operating reliably, supporting food safety standards, and ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory requirements in a non-climate-controlled industrial environment.

Pay: $20 to $35/hr

Shift: 7am to 3:30 Monday-Friday plus on call when needed

Responsibilities

• Perform a wide range of skilled maintenance and repair tasks on plant and buying point facilities and equipment, appropriate to the assigned technician level.
• Prioritize, schedule, assign, and coordinate maintenance work to support efficient plant operations and timely completion of tasks.
• Maintain tools, the shop area, and workspaces in a clean, sanitary, and organized condition within a shelling facility.
• Assist with the purchase, installation, maintenance, and repair of electrical wiring and fixtures, ensuring safe and compliant installations.
• Troubleshoot and repair or replace fans and motors, and perform repairs on motors, bells, clocks, and lighting circuits.
• Perform skilled maintenance and repair on mechanical and electrical equipment, including testing and replacing circuits and correcting defective switches, receptacles, ballasts, and other wiring components.
• Conduct routine mechanical and electrical maintenance to reduce downtime and extend equipment life.
• Operate a variety of equipment and machines, including saws, drill presses, and various hand and power tools, to perform repair and maintenance work.
• Maintain tools and equipment in a safe, clean, and proper working condition, and report any defects or safety concerns promptly.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable safety practices, procedures, and federal, state, and local codes, regulations, and requirements.
• Maintain accurate records related to labor, materials, and work orders, documenting work performed and parts used.
• Operate trucks to pick up and deliver equipment, materials, and supplies as needed.
• Follow all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Preventive Control Rules, and Occupational Safety Rules at all times.
• Adhere to required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) use and ensure proper PPE is worn for each task.
• Assist plant operations personnel in maintaining sanitary conditions to comply with current Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) guidelines, customer specifications, and Preventive Control Rules.
• Use only food-grade grease in areas where there may be exposure to food contact surfaces.
• After completing any maintenance activity, inspect equipment and the surrounding area to verify, per manufacturer's instructions, that operations are safe to resume.
• Assist plant personnel in identifying and addressing potential sources of contamination.
• Ensure strict adherence to Lockout/Tagout, Confined Space, Working at Heights, Hot Work Permits, and other at-risk activity policies.
• Complete all required permits, work orders, and related documentation accurately and in a timely manner.
• Execute the preventive maintenance program and provide suggestions for improvements to enhance equipment reliability and safety.
• Perform job duties that require frequent standing, walking, sitting, using hands and fingers to handle, feel, or pull, reaching with hands and arms, climbing or balancing, and stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling, as well as clear verbal communication and hearing.
• At higher technician levels, demonstrate advanced troubleshooting and independent repair capabilities on mechanical and electrical systems.
• At higher technician levels, apply advanced fabrication skills and entry level to advanced electrical experience, including instrumentation and programming.
• At the most advanced technician level, provide direction and guidance to other maintenance employees in the absence of a maintenance manager or supervisor.

Essential Skills

• Demonstrated ability to perform mechanical maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting in an industrial environment.
• Ability to perform electrical maintenance tasks such as testing and replacing circuits, and troubleshooting switches, receptacles, ballasts, and other wiring components.
• Skill in operating and safely using a variety of tools and machines, including saws, drill presses, and hand and power tools.
• Troubleshooting skills for motors, fans, and related mechanical and electrical components.
• Ability to read and work from blueprints or technical diagrams for mechanical and electrical systems.
• Experience with preventive maintenance practices to reduce equipment downtime and improve reliability.
• Basic to advanced fabrication skills, depending on technician level, including working with metal and components for equipment repair and modification.
• Knowledge of industrial equipment such as gears, bearings, hydraulics, and pneumatics.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Forklift experience preferred for Maintenance Technician I and required for Maintenance Technician II–IV.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written, to interact effectively with plant personnel and document work performed.
• Ability to work in extreme conditions, including heat and cold, in a non-climate-controlled plant.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including some weekends, holidays, and nights as required.
• Commitment to following Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Preventive Control Rules, Occupational Safety Rules, and company policies.
• Ability to consistently adhere to Lockout/Tagout, Confined Space, Working at Heights, Hot Work, and other safety procedures.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working in a food manufacturing facility is preferred.
• Familiarity with Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) guidelines and customer specifications related to food safety and sanitation.
• Exposure to or experience with instrumentation and programming for advanced electrical work at higher technician levels.
• Welding and general fabrication experience in an industrial setting.
• Comfort working with hydraulics and pneumatics in maintenance and repair activities.
• Ability to assist with purchasing and installing electrical components and fixtures in compliance with safety codes.
• Organizational skills to maintain accurate records of labor, materials, and work orders.
• Capability to operate trucks for transporting equipment and supplies safely within and between plant locations.

Why Work Here?

You will join a team-focused environment where safety, reliability, and food quality are top priorities. The role offers exposure to a wide range of mechanical, electrical, and fabrication work, providing strong opportunities for hands-on learning and progression through clearly defined technician levels. Flexible scheduling supports operational needs while offering varied work experiences, and you will contribute directly to maintaining high food safety and operational standards in a key manufacturing operation.

Work Environment

This position is based in a non-climate-controlled plant that includes peanut shelling operations and buying point facilities. The work environment involves exposure to extreme temperatures, including both heat and cold, as well as typical industrial conditions such as noise, dust, and moving machinery. The role requires frequent standing, walking, sitting, reaching, climbing or balancing, and stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling. You will regularly use hand and power tools, saws, drill presses, and industrial equipment, and may operate forklifts and trucks as part of daily duties. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required and strictly enforced, and work is performed under comprehensive safety programs including Lockout/Tagout, Confined Space, Working at Heights, and Hot Work procedures. The schedule requires flexibility, with some weekends, holidays, and night shifts to support continuous plant operations.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Smithville, GA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $35.00/hr. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability