Technician, A

At Lakeside Foods and our family of companies, we're committed to providing wholesome foods to enrich people’s lives through food. We are a culture that pursues our vision of growth and innovation with passion, confidence, and commitment. We are strongest together – valuing collaborative contribution, transparency and new ideas to enable change and growth. We are committed to an inclusive and respectful environment that promotes a healthy work-life balance, and there’s a seat at the table for you.

GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Technician A is responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical systems and industrial machinery, using advanced knowledge of schematics, PLC programming, and safety protocols. They perform preventative maintenance, troubleshoot complex equipment issues, and collaborate with operators and mechanics to ensure efficient production. Additionally, they support compliance and administrative tasks such as safety audits, inventory management, and maintaining a clean, hazard-free work environment.  Willing to work on Mechanical as well as Electrical. Read pneumatic schematics and procure correct replacement parts.  Read hydraulic schematics and procure correct replacement parts.

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Core Technical Responsibilities

• These are the primary duties essential to the technician's role.
• Install and repair electrical systems, apparatus, and electrical/electronic components of industrial machinery and equipment, following electrical code, manuals, schematic diagrams, blueprints, and other specifications.
• Install power supply wiring and conduit for newly installed machines and equipment (e.g., robots, conveyors, programmable controllers).
• Replace faulty electrical components such as relays, switches, motors, printed circuit boards, and position sensing devices.
• Troubleshoot and repair printers, metal detectors, scales, filler systems, etc.
• Test and diagnose malfunctioning machinery using test equipment and collaborate with maintenance workers on action plans.
• Tear down and set up equipment needed for daily line operations (e.g., fillers, baggers, labeling equipment, closing machines, cookers).
• Assist mechanics when necessary for line repair.

Advanced Technical Knowledge

• These skills demonstrate a higher level of expertise and are critical for complex troubleshooting and system optimization.
• Advanced understanding of electrical code, manuals, schematic diagrams, and blueprints.
• Advanced understanding of complex PLC programs: read, identify errors, monitor, troubleshoot, and potentially write simple or complex programs.
• Ability to read and draw electrical blueprints and schematics.
• Advanced knowledge in arc-flash and lock-out/tag-out procedures.
• Must possess mechanical aptitude in an industrial setting.

Preventative & Routine Maintenance

• These tasks ensure equipment reliability and minimize downtime.
• Work with the Manager to schedule preventative maintenance.
• Complete preventative maintenance as directed.
• Perform clean-up duties to ensure contamination-free products.
• Complete required reports in a timely fashion.

Collaboration & Support

• These responsibilities involve working with others to maintain productivity and safety.
• Work with machine operators during production to ensure high productivity.
• Notify the Supervisor immediately if any unsafe or potentially hazardous conditions are discovered.

Administrative & Compliance Tasks

• These duties support operational efficiency and regulatory compliance.
• Research and order needed parts, obtain POs, and maintain accurate inventory of parts.
• Perform safety audits as required.

Other Responsibilities:

• Adhere to all Lakeside Foods policies and procedures.  
• Possess ability to be on call once a month for one (1) full week.
• Must possess the ability and willingness to work extended hours as needed; dependent on workload, project completion and supervision discretion.
• Maintain work area in a clean and orderly manner.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Supervisor or Manager.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or GED, preferred.
• Two-year technical degree in industrial maintenance, electromechanical technology or related course work, preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in industrial or electrical equipment maintenance.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Previous hands-on apprenticeship or internship program, a plus.

Skills & Abilities

• Be able to read electrical blueprints and schematics.
• Must be able to work with a little supervision.
• Must have a basic understanding of machine and line operation and requirements for an acceptable product.
• Must have competent troubleshooting techniques.
• Must be an employee of the Distribution Center for a minimum of one year.

Preferred Certifications

• Forklift Certification, required
• Maintenance Certification (CMRT or ETA)
• OSHA 10/30-Hour Certification-Willing to obtain certification through on-site training.
• First Aid/CPR/AED-Willing to obtain certification through on-site training.

TEAMWORK AT LAKESIDE (TAL):

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms.  
• The employee is occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, occasionally up to 100 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be excessive during certain production activities.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may work near moving mechanical parts & in adverse conditions.

Lakeside Foods and our family of companies welcomes people of all backgrounds and the varied ideas they bring to the workplace. Being an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer is part of our heritage and culture. We recruit, hire and promote employees based on qualifications and merit, without regard to race, religion, age, gender, disability, marital or veteran status. Lakeside Foods participates in E-Verify.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities