Maintenance Technician (1st Shift) - Skokie

Georgia Nut Company (GNC) is a food manufacturing company that combines classic recipes with state-of-the-art equipment and technology to provide consumers with both everyday confections they love and innovative snacks that continue to drive our industry. Founded in 1945, GNC has been a family owned business for over four generations, bringing forth new ideas and driving the entrepreneurial spirit of the company into the future. Our mission is to create a pleasurable eating experience for our customers by offering high quality confections and snacks while maintaining an unrelenting commitment to excellence.

The Maintenance Mechanic reports to the Maintenance Supervisor and is responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing production and facility equipment to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operation. This role supports day-to-day maintenance activities, responds to breakdowns, assists with equipment repairs and rebuilds, and helps train newer mechanics under the guidance of the Maintenance Supervisor.

Primary Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot, repair, adjust, and replace equipment and components involving mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, plumbing, and relay logic systems.
• Respond to equipment breakdowns and unplanned downtime to restore production safely and efficiently.
• Perform routine, preventive, and corrective maintenance on production and facility equipment.
• Support equipment rebuilds, installations, and modifications as assigned by the Maintenance Supervisor.
• Work closely with production and maintenance team members to diagnose equipment issues and restore operation.
• Assist shift supervisors and maintenance leadership with identifying recurring equipment issues and implementing corrective actions. This can be done using root cause analysis tools.
• Provide day-to-day technical support for troubleshooting, problem analysis, and equipment failures.
• Follow all safety procedures, lockout/tagout requirements, and plant policies while performing maintenance activities.
• Maintain accurate documentation of work performed, including work orders, parts usage, and maintenance notes.
• Assist with training and mentoring less experienced mechanics.
• Maintain a positive work atmosphere by communicating and working effectively with manufacturing associates, support departments, and management.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Maintenance Supervisor.

Qualifications

Education

• Possess a 2 year technical degree in a maintenance field or minimum of 2 years of experience in a maintenance field.
• Technical degree, associate degree, or equivalent trade training in industrial maintenance, mechanical, electrical, or a related field preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and hands-on experience will be considered.

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• Ability to use simple math; adding, subtracting, multiplication and division.
• Ability to take measurements.
• Ability to troubleshoot problems without supervision.
• Ability to read and follow instructions.
• Ability to read electrical schematics and diagrams.
• Ability to understand and troubleshoot mechanical equipment and machinery.
• Ability work overtime and weekends.
• Good written and verbal communication skills to be able to communicate effectively and professionally with internal and external personnel (suppliers).
• Basic knowledge of bearings, bushings, gear boxes, fixed / variable power transmissions systems, pump seals, clutches, brakes, manual / automatic control valves, motors, couplings, hydraulics, pneumatics, pumps, variable frequency drives, transducers, solenoids, relays, motor starters, switches (flow, Photo, proximity, level, pressure, etc), encoders, tachometers, AC and DC drive controls, pipe, tubing, pipe fittings, circuit boards, Programmable logic controllers (PLC), transmitters, machining, welding and fabrication etc.
• Ability to set up and operate shop equipment and portable power tools.