Plant Maintenance Technologist — PLC/Automation Focus

Imagine taking a packaging line from a standstill back to full speed—tracing a fault, replacing a component, and fine-tuning the system so it runs better than before. That’s the impact you’ll make at Kitchen Fresh Foods, a Midwest standout in freshly prepared sandwiches and related products.

Your mission

Champion equipment uptime, safety, and performance while partnering with production to deliver quality products on schedule.

Core responsibilities

• Install and sustain production machinery and facility equipment to high reliability standards.
• Own urgent, unplanned repairs during production and complete planned, scheduled fixes.
• Perform basic machinist tasks supporting repair and fabrication needs.
• Leverage mechanical and electrical expertise across pneumatic and hydraulic systems to troubleshoot effectively.
• Identify issues, repair or replace parts, validate function through testing, and complete precise adjustments.
• Execute preventive maintenance on machines, equipment, and plant infrastructure.
• Support general facility needs with plumbing and carpentry work.
• Operate hand/power tools, electric meters, and material handling equipment with care and accuracy.
• Detect abnormal operation or defective materials; escalate promptly to supervisors.
• Adhere to safety protocols and keep work areas organized and spotless.
• Participate in new line start-ups, product/packaging trials, and equipment installations.
• Collaborate with operators to meet production goals—troubleshoot, drive root-cause analysis, and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Lead by example, coaching operators on basic PM tasks and on-the-fly adjustments to enhance efficiency.
• Support equipment teardown, sanitation, and reassembly to ensure procedures are followed and changeovers/downtime are minimized.

What you’ll need to excel

• Experience in facilities maintenance within an industrial setting.
• Strong electrical troubleshooting and repair capabilities.
• Proficiency in pneumatic system diagnostics and repair.
• Comprehensive maintenance/repair skills, including industrial electrical systems.
• Advanced equipment diagnostics and troubleshooting.
• Strict compliance with Lockout/Tagout (LOTO).
• Hands-on equipment repair and maintenance track record.
• Ability to read blueprints and technical schematics.

Systems and technology

• Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)
• Integrated conveyor systems
• Servo motor drives

Work schedule

2-2-3 rotation, twelve-hour shifts from 5:00 AM to 5:00 PM