Production Maintenance Technician at Blake's Orchard, Inc. – Armada, Michigan

Job Summary

The Production Maintenance Technician is responsible for the care, preventative maintenance, and troubleshooting of all major production equipment including but not limited to the brewhouse, cellar and tank farm, canning line(s), cartoner(s), keg washers, air compressors, CO2 compressors, pumps, wastewater systems, pneumatics, industrial refrigeration, hot water heaters, and other facilities-related equipment.

This role works closely with the Production Manager and Production team and owns preventative maintenance planning, equipment reliability, and cross-functional coordination to ensure optimal uptime and performance.

This is a full-time position that requires regular weekend, evening, and occasional overnight work as part of the normal production schedule. Production support includes off-shift availability to ensure equipment reliability and operational continuity. The position is accountable for equipment reliability, preventative maintenance execution, and minimizing unplanned downtime across all production systems.

Responsibilities and Duties

The following list of essential job duties is not all-inclusive; the Production Maintenance Technician is required to perform other duties as directed by management.

• Working independently to install and maintain all production related equipment to stringent specifications
• Comply with all safety programs and consistently practice safe work techniques
• Develop, execute, and continuously improve routine maintenance programs for cellar and packaging mechanical systems
• Maintain and oversee the development of an essential spare parts inventory
• Keep records of repairs and develop or make necessary changes to planned maintenance schedules
• Accurately track work orders, repairs, and preventative maintenance tasks within the UpKeep maintenance management system
• Maintain disciplined documentation practices to support data-driven decision-making and performance tracking
• Work with Line Operators to help train and identify machine and equipment related areas of required maintenance before equipment failure
• Comply with safety regulations
• Respond to equipment issues during unplanned downtime, including off-shift support as required
• Take ownership of equipment reliability and implement corrective actions to reduce recurring failures and unplanned downtime.

Qualifications, Skills & Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Relevant work experience (5+ years preferred)
• Strong and demonstrable knowledge of mechanics and repair
• Ability to actively listen and cooperatively solve problems and relate well to others
• Ability to work quickly and lucidly to solve problems
• Strong troubleshooting/problem solving/logic based/process of elimination skills
• Exhibits a high degree of professionalism and commitment to following through on all tasks and achieving results
• Self-motivated with a positive attitude and demonstrates reliability, strong work ethic, and commitment to completing responsibilities in a safe and efficient manner
• Ability to triage and prioritize daily tasks and long-term projects
• Passion and desire to continuously self-assess and improve
• Ability to read and interpret plans, drawings, prints, schematics, operating manuals, and repair manuals
• Strong understanding of electronics, instrumentation and programmable logic controllers (PLC’s) in industrial applications
• Must be able to safely lift and maneuver full kegs (up to 165 pounds) using proper lifting techniques and mechanical assistance when appropriate
• Must be able to remain on your feet for an entire shift
• Must be able to operate a fork truck, electric hand truck, and mechanized lifts
• Must be able to use a ladder (i.e. work at heights 10’ or above)

Working Conditions

• The work for this position will be in a non-climate controlled, smoke free environment, with occasional exposure to outdoor weather
• The noise level in the work environment is moderate but can be loud at times, requiring ear protection
• Work will be performed as per the schedule created by management
• Work will be performed from eight to ten hours per day, five to six days per week. Weekend, evening, and occasional overnight shifts are a regular and expected part of this role.
• Exposure to moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; extreme cold and extreme heat. Appropriate PPE will be required around moving parts and when conducting certain activities
• While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit and/or use a computer up to 10 hours at a time

Performance Expectations – What Success Looks Like

Success in this role means:

• Preventative maintenance is completed on time
• Equipment runs reliably with minimal unexpected downtime
• Repairs and maintenance work are properly documented in the UpKeep system
• Spare parts are organized and available when needed
• Production is kept informed about equipment status and repair timelines
• Safety procedures are followed at all times