Lead Maintenance Mechanic

Job Description

Job Description

Job Summary

The Lead Maintenance Mechanic at Bellwether Farms is responsible for overseeing and performing essential maintenance on dairy processing equipment and facility systems. This hands-on role requires advanced mechanical and electrical troubleshooting skills, as well as the ability to lead daily maintenance operations and support preventive maintenance programs. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background in food or dairy manufacturing and will play a vital role in reducing equipment downtime, enhancing production efficiency, and ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Perform regular maintenance, inspections, and repairs on a variety of dairy processing equipment, including pumps, motors, conveyors, mixers, packaging machines, and refrigeration systems.
• Diagnose mechanical and electrical issues, identify root causes, and implement effective solutions to minimize equipment downtime.
• Lead the planning, execution, and tracking of preventive maintenance activities. Ensure all equipment is routinely inspected, lubricated, calibrated, and cleaned to optimize performance.
• Assist in the safe installation, alignment, and commissioning of new machinery and equipment, ensuring operational readiness and compliance with safety and performance standards.
• Support and lead efforts to upgrade, retrofit, or modify equipment to meet evolving production or regulatory needs.

Leadership & Coordination Responsibilities:

• Provide day-to-day direction and oversight of the maintenance team’s work, ensuring tasks are completed safely, correctly, and efficiently.
• Serve as the point person for maintenance staff, providing guidance, training, and technical support as needed. Promote teamwork, accountability, and a positive work environment.
• Coordinate maintenance schedules and assign work orders based on priority, available labor, and production needs. Ensure appropriate coverage for all shifts, especially during critical production hours.
• Act as a liaison between maintenance, production, sanitation, quality assurance, and engineering teams to align priorities, resolve equipment issues, and support production timelines.
• Monitor inventory of critical spare parts and maintenance supplies. Initiate orders for replacement parts and maintain organization of maintenance tools and stock areas.
• Communicate directly with external service providers, contractors, and equipment manufacturers for specialized repairs, service agreements, or parts procurement.
• Train new and existing maintenance team members on equipment, safety procedures, SOPs, and preventive maintenance tasks. Identify skill gaps and recommend additional training where needed.

Administrative & Compliance Responsibilities:

• Ensure complete and accurate documentation of all maintenance activities, including service logs, work orders, downtime reports, and parts usage.
• Enforce all safety standards, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), confined space procedures, PPE use, and Cal/OSHA compliance. Conduct or participate in safety audits, trainings, and investigations.
• Contribute to and lead initiatives for improving maintenance processes, reducing downtime, and enhancing overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
• Provide regular updates to management on maintenance activities, equipment performance, and team progress toward departmental goals.

General Responsibilities

• Perform all tasks safely and in compliance with the company’s safety policy.
• Report all injuries, accidents, and unsafe conditions immediately to your team lead or management.
• Perform all tasks in compliance with Food Safety and Quality policies.
• Perform other tasks as assigned

Qualifications /Requirements

• Vocational or technical training in mechanical maintenance or a related field, or equivalent hands-on experience in a manufacturing, dairy, or food processing environment preferred.
• Experience with dairy-specific equipment (e.g., pasteurizers, separators, homogenizers) is highly desirable.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with proficiency in troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining industrial equipment.
• Working knowledge of electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems.
• Familiarity with preventive maintenance programs and maintenance recordkeeping.
• Basic computer skills or the ability to learn systems to complete work orders and maintenance logs.
• Understanding of Food Safety Standards and Regulations, including GMPs and HACCP.
• Ability to work assigned shifts, including occasional overtime, weekends, or holidays, as required.
• Valid California Driver’s License and insurable driving record, if driving is an essential function of the job.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to read, understand, and follow written and verbal instructions in a fast-paced environment.
• Team-oriented with a respectful, positive attitude toward coworkers and supervisors.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills; bilingual English/Spanish a plus to support communication across a diverse workforce.

Physical and Mental Requirements

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

• Ability to stand, walk, climb stairs/ladders, bend, push, pull, and twist torso for extended periods (typically 8 hours or more per shift).
• Ability to regularly lift, carry, or move materials and equipment weighing up to 75 pounds safely, with or without assistance.
• Use of hands, wrists, and arms to grip, handle, feel, reach, type, and write as required for machinery operation, repairs, and documentation.
• Ability to push or pull heavy loads (up to 1,850 pounds) using manual pallet jacks or other appropriate material handling equipment.
• Ability to work at heights, including use of stairs, ladders, step stools, platforms, or personnel lifts in a safe and controlled manner.
• Sufficient visual acuity to perform tasks safely and accurately, including close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus to read printed materials or digital displays.
• Ability to focus in a fast-paced environment, manage multiple tasks simultaneously, and respond to unexpected issues with effective troubleshooting and decision-making.
• Ability to communicate clearly, follow complex instructions, and work independently or as part of a team.
• Strong attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and ability to maintain concentration during repetitive or precision-based tasks.

Work Environment:

The Lead Maintenance Mechanic will perform duties primarily within an active dairy processing facility where conditions can vary throughout the workday. The environment includes exposure to industrial noise, varying temperatures, and the presence of moving machinery and equipment. Employees must adhere to strict safety and food quality protocols to maintain a safe and compliant workspace.

Work may require the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, and steel-toed boots. Tasks often involve working in elevated areas, confined spaces, and potentially slippery or wet surfaces. Flexibility to work rotating shifts, overtime, weekends, and respond to urgent maintenance needs outside regular hours is essential to support continuous production.

Compensation and Benefits

Bellwether Farms is committed to pay equity and transparency in alignment with California law. The anticipated hourly pay range for this position is $34.00 – $40.00. This range is provided as a general guideline. Final compensation will be determined based on factors such as relevant experience, education, skills, internal equity, and market conditions.

We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package, which may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (eligibility begins after 30 days of employment)
• 401(k) retirement plan with a generous company match
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Access to company products and employee discounts

Bellwether Farms is an Equal Opportunity Employer dedicated to diversity and inclusion. All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of legally protected characteristics.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities