Lead Industrial Utility Technician

Lead Industrial Utility Technician

#ComeJoinTheFun with us as our Lead Industrial Utility Technician and be part of #MakingCandyFun!

At R.M. Palmer Company, our mission is clear: driving innovation that celebrates life's special moments by focusing on value and integrity while making candy fun in everything we do. We take pride in blending creativity and tradition to deliver products that spark joy, bring smiles, and create lasting memories, one candy at a time.

Since 1948, R.M. Palmer Company, LLC has grown from just 4 employees and 4 products into a leading manufacturer of imaginative chocolate novelties with more than 500 unique products and over 600 full-time employees. Today, we operate two manufacturing facilities and a distribution center the size of 11 football fields, producing more than 50 million pounds of product each year.

Our continued success is built on the people and values that drive us every day. We believe in getting it done with urgency, ownership, and accountability. We challenge ourselves to break it better through innovation, curiosity, and continuous improvement. We own the outcome by taking responsibility and acting in the best interest of our team, customers, and company. We play to win by focusing on results and striving for excellence in everything we do. Most importantly, we aim to leave them smiling by bringing positivity, teamwork, passion, and energy to every interaction.

If you thrive in a culture built on accountability, innovation, teamwork, and results, you may be a great fit for our team.

Why Join Us?

When you join our team, you're not just starting a job, you're building a career with a company that values its people. We believe in rewarding hard work, supporting work-life balance, and helping our employees grow.

• Weekly pay for reliable income every week
• Three weeks vacation to start so you can recharge
• Affordable benefits starting at $19 per week for medical, dental, and vision
• Company 401(k) contribution with match to help you save for the future

The Lead Industrial Utility Technician is a multi-skilled professional responsible for maintaining, operating, and troubleshooting the critical support systems that keep manufacturing and processing facilities running efficiently. This role supports HVAC and facilities maintenance functions, including boilers, compressed air systems, water systems, refrigeration, and building infrastructure, while serving as the lead for Industrial Utility Technicians. The position is responsible for coordinating daily work assignments, training, technical oversight, inventory management, and ensuring minimal downtime and maximum operational safety.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Perform preventative and corrective maintenance on HVAC systems, boilers, compressors, refrigeration units, pumps, heat exchangers, air handlers, and related utility equipment.
• Lead and coordinate daily activities of Industrial Utility Technicians by assigning work orders, prioritizing tasks, and monitoring completion of maintenance activities.
• Provide hands-on training, technical guidance, and oversight to Industrial Utility Technicians to ensure safe and efficient work practices.
• Support technician development by assisting with onboarding, skill training, and troubleshooting support.
• Maintain and troubleshoot facility systems including compressed air, steam, ventilation, plumbing, electrical, and water systems.
• Conduct routine inspections and monitor system metrics such as temperature, pressure, airflow, and humidity to ensure optimal performance.
• Diagnose equipment failures using schematics, blueprints, manuals, and diagnostic tools, executing timely repairs to minimize production interruptions.
• Manage maintenance inventory, spare parts, tools, and supply levels to ensure operational readiness and cost control.
• Coordinate with vendors and contractors for specialized repairs, services, and facility projects.
• Maintain accurate preventative maintenance records, work orders, inventory logs, and maintenance documentation.
• Support general facilities maintenance including lighting, doors, flooring, painting, minor carpentry, and building repairs.
• Enforce OSHA, environmental, and company safety standards to maintain a safe and compliant workplace.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on equipment reliability, efficiency, and reducing downtime.
• Collaborate with production and operations teams to support uninterrupted manufacturing processes.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Trade school certification or technical training in HVAC, electrical, plumbing, or industrial maintenance strongly preferred.
• 5+ years of industrial maintenance, utility, HVAC, or facilities maintenance experience preferred.
• Previous lead technician or team coordination experience preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of industrial HVAC systems, boilers, refrigeration systems, pumps, electrical systems, plumbing, and mechanical troubleshooting.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, schematics, and technical manuals.
• Experience with preventative maintenance systems and CMMS software preferred.
• Strong troubleshooting, organizational, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and lead effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Excellent communication and team collaboration skills.
• Preferred certifications include EPA Section 608 Technician Certification, ASME Boiler License, NATE/NITC certifications, and OSHA Safety Training certifications.
• Demonstrated ability to work in alignment with company core values by taking initiative, driving results, embracing continuous improvement, maintaining accountability and ownership, contributing to a high-performing team environment, and delivering exceptional internal and external customer experiences.