Production Maintenance Technician II

SunOpta Overview:

SunOpta Inc. is a leader in the plant-based foods and beverages, fruit-based foods and beverages, and organic ingredient sourcing industries. SunOpta is focused on sustainability and specializes in the sourcing, processing, and packaging of organic, conventional, non-GMO food products.

SunOpta is looking for talented individuals that demonstrate our most valued behaviors: Passion, Dedication, Speed, Entrepreneurship, Customer-Centricity, and Problem-Solver, to help create a brighter, healthier, and sustainable future of food!

Job Summary:

The Production Maintenance Technician II responsibilities include efficient maintenance and repair of all extraction, mix-blend, and production equipment. Conducts preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and assisting with other projects as assigned reporting to the Maintenance Supervisor.

Essential Functions of the Job:

• Perform all duties required of Production Maintenance Mechanic I
• Ensure that all production lines/equipment is set up and operable prior to each production day
• Maintain all equipment - minimize downtime - perform and record all activities as required by the M&R preventative and predictive programs
• Ability to troubleshoot and problem solve equipment issues
• Ability to read, interpret, and understand technical manuals and schematics
• Follow company GMP’s (good manufacturing practices) and all other quality programs as they relate to the maintenance department
• Identify potential problems/projects/improvements which will maximize production efficiencies and reduce downtime
• Complete work orders, down time reports, and any other reports as they relate to maintenance
• Use equipment such as: hand tools, power tools, welders, electrical test equipment, PLC interface, HMI (Human Machine Interface), diagnostic equipment, forklift, etc.
• Wear PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) when required
• Responsible for ensuring work area is clean and organized
• Ability to work independently with little or no supervision and as a member of a team
• Strictly adhere to all Safety policies (i.e. Lock Out Tag Out, Machine Guarding, etc.)
• Committed to ensuring that the products produced meet all food safety and quality requirements
• Maintain complete maintenance records and PM schedules for all equipment and facilities.
• Recommend equipment modifications to improve the process, productivity and finished product quality.
• Analyze performance issues related to equipment, tear down inspect components and replace as needed
• Troubleshoot equipment to define root cause and repair in a timely manner.
• Maintain spare parts inventory to minimize downtime and expense to the company.
• DMAIC, Design, measure, analyze, implement, and control mechanical process improvements.
• Generate parts request to ensure adequate inventory.
• Practice continuous improvement concepts in all aspects of equipment and facility maintenance.
• Locate critical spares in the market for those items not in inventory.
• Implement factory recommended equipment maintenance schedules and develop schedules for areas where none exist.
• Repair downed equipment in a fast-paced time critical environment.
• Train and Coach Associates on technical and procedural duties.
• Wear PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) when required.
• All other duties as assigned.

Key Accountabilities:

Safety

• Adheres to all plant safety rules
• Reports all near misses and accidents to the production supervisor and or HR representative
• Serves an active role the plant safety programs, by participating in monthly safety inspections and reporting any potential safety hazards to the safety committee or Management

Quality:

• Adheres to all Quality Assurance System guidelines
• Follows SOP’s and SSOP’s (standard operating procedures and sanitation standard operating procedures) when making processing adjustments, to ensure the manufacturing of high-quality liquid-based products.
• Responsible for compliance with GMP’s, HACCP and SQF programs
• Identifies all critical control points (CCP) understanding their functions it relates to the process.

Maintenance

• When maintenance is occurring in your work area, it is the expectation to assist the maintenance technicians in any capacity needed to expedite the repair process.
• When equipment is in a state of disrepair these items must be reported ASAP to avoid break downs.

Housekeeping

• Maintain a clean and organized work area
• Assists all areas of the plant with general housekeeping
• Cooperates with other shifts and the management team in housekeeping endeavors

Communications

• As a member of the Production team, ensures effective shift communication and teamwork with other operators occurs each scheduled shift.
• Maintains effective communication with members of the support group.
• When utilizing the handheld radios employees are expected to be professional and respectful when communicating

Teamwork and Training

• Promotes and contributes to the development of a strong team.
• Works well among co-workers as a team.
• Assist in coaching and training employees as requested by the management team.

Personal Development

• Continuously improve your knowledge of the Aseptic Filling process.
• Become familiar with SunOpta 360.
• Completes and adheres to the Annual Alchemy Schedule

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School diploma or GED required.

Preferred Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Must be able to run all processors, CIPs, and monitor all surge tanks.
• Understands procedures for all allergens and how to prevent cross contamination
• Must be able to perform maintenance on valves, surge tanks, and processors.
• Must be able to prepare and maintain accurate paperwork.
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve moderate to complex issues associated with the processors and related equipment.
• Ability to assess a situation and make quick and accurate decisions that will aid in production
• Must adhere to all GMP's and Safety Procedures established by Management
• Understand terminology related to the process and surge equipment
• Must be able to stand and work for long periods of time (12) hours and lift a minimum 30-50 pounds frequently and push/pull pallet jacks and lifts with heavy loads

Knowledge and Skills:

Working knowledge of business, computer, and math, preferred. The candidate must be able to work effectively in a team-based environment, set priorities to meet deadlines, handle multiple tasks, and make decisions under pressure being able to work with minimal or no supervision.

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

The work environment characteristics/physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk or hear and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 lbs. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/ or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places and extreme heat. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.