Lead Maintenance Technician - Manufacturing Facility

About Charles Austin Food

Charles Austin Food is a leading multi-protein food manufacturer and distributor serving the Chicago region. We produce and deliver fresh and frozen meat, poultry, seafood, and dry goods to retail, wholesale, and foodservice partners.

Job Overview
We are seeking a skilled and dependable Senior Maintenance Technician to ensure our facility and production equipment operate safely, efficiently, and in compliance with food manufacturing standards.

The Senior Maintenance Technician performs hands-on maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair on production equipment, facility systems, and utilities. This role supports preventive maintenance programs, responds to breakdowns, assists with cold/freezer equipment, and helps maintain compliance with OSHA, GMP, HACCP, and SQF requirements.

This position is ideal for a technician who is safety-focused, mechanically strong, and thrives in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

Equipment Maintenance & Troubleshooting

• Diagnose, repair, and maintain production equipment including conveyors, motors, grinders, packaging machines, scales, pallet jacks, forklifts, and related systems.

• Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic issues.

• Respond rapidly to equipment failures to minimize downtime.

• Assist with refrigeration-related maintenance in coolers and freezers.

Preventive Maintenance (PM)

• Perform routine inspections and scheduled PM tasks.

• Document work orders, repairs, and PM completion accurately.

• Identify worn parts or potential failures and recommend corrective actions.

Facility & Infrastructure Support

• Assist with plumbing, drains, doors, HVAC, lighting, and general facility repairs.

• Maintain cold and freezer storage areas to ensure safe operation.

• Ensure compliance with OSHA, GMP, HACCP, SQF, and other regulatory standards.

Parts, Tools & Equipment Management

• Maintain inventory of critical spare parts and track usage.

• Keep maintenance shop, tools, and equipment organized and clean.

• Assist in evaluating parts, materials, and vendor service quotes.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with production, QA, sanitation, and logistics teams.

• Support outside contractors (HVAC, refrigeration, plumbing, electrical).

• Assist with small projects, equipment upgrades, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Safety & Compliance

• Follow Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), OSHA, PPE, and food safety protocols consistently.

• Maintain accurate logs, inspection sheets, and required safety documentation.

• Participate in regular safety meetings and training sessions.

Key Requirements

• 3+ years of maintenance experience in a manufacturing environment (food preferred).

• Strong mechanical troubleshooting and repair skills.

• Basic electrical knowledge (motors, circuits, sensors).

• Ability to work safely in cold/refrigerated and freezer environments.

• Ability to lift/move 50+ lbs.

• Knowledge of LOTO, OSHA, GMP, HACCP, and food safety practices.

• Strong communication, teamwork, and reliability.

• Bilingual (English/Spanish/Chinese) preferred.

Schedule & Hours

• Hours: 6:30 AM–3:30 PM or 7:00 AM–4:00 PM

• Days: Monday–Saturday

• Weekly Hours: 44–48 hours

• Work hours may vary based on equipment needs and open work orders.

Compensation

• $60,000–$70,000/year , based on experience and technical skill level.

• Pay reflects mechanical expertise, food industry experience, and certifications.