Maintenance Technician III - 1st Shift in Decatur, Arkansas at United Petfood Producers USA Inc.

Location: Decatur, AR
Job Type: Full-Time, On-Site

United Petfood is a private label producer of high-quality dry & wet pet food, biscuits and snacks. We are a Belgian family business with 25 high-tech pet kitchens in Europe and the US.

Joining us, means joining an international, passionate and driven team with one common goal: a healthy planet filled with healthy pets! But it doesn’t stop there: we truly care about building encouraging, supportive, long-lasting partnerships, both inside as well as outside of our fast-growing family company. By only working with the very best ingredients and most innovative technology available, we ensure a spot in which you can grow, bloom and make thousands of pets happy worldwide!

The Maintenance Technician III is a versatile, hands-on position responsible for maintenance spare parts inventory management and industrial maintenance activities, while providing backup support for maintenance planning and scheduling at United Petfood's Decatur, Arkansas manufacturing facility.

This position has two primary areas of responsibility: maintaining an accurate, organized, and reliable maintenance inventory system and performing preventive and corrective maintenance, equipment troubleshooting, and repairs throughout the facility. The employee will balance these responsibilities based on departmental priorities, equipment reliability needs, and production requirements.

Additionally, the Maintenance Technician III serves as the designated backup for the Maintenance Planner, supporting preventive maintenance scheduling, work-order coordination, CMMS administration, and maintenance planning activities during absences, increased workloads, or other operational needs.

The ideal candidate combines advanced industrial maintenance knowledge with strong organizational skills, inventory management capabilities, and the ability to independently manage competing priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Maintenance Spare Parts Inventory Management – Primary Responsibility

• Manage the day-to-day organization, accuracy, and availability of maintenance spare parts, tools, supplies, and critical equipment components.

• Maintain accurate inventory records, part descriptions, quantities, storage locations, and related information within the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) or designated inventory system.

• Establish, monitor, and maintain appropriate minimum and maximum inventory levels in coordination with Maintenance leadership.

• Monitor inventory levels and proactively identify parts requiring replenishment to prevent maintenance delays and equipment downtime.

• Identify and maintain critical spare parts based on equipment reliability, usage history, supplier lead times, and operational requirements.

• Receive, inspect, identify, label, organize, and properly store maintenance parts and materials.

• Ensure all inventory receipts, withdrawals, returns, adjustments, and other transactions are accurately documented.

• Issue spare parts for maintenance work orders and ensure parts usage is properly recorded.

• Conduct routine cycle counts, physical inventory reviews, and periodic inventory audits.

• Investigate and resolve inventory discrepancies, including missing, damaged, obsolete, or incorrectly recorded parts.

• Identify obsolete, excess, or slow-moving inventory and recommend appropriate disposition.

• Maintain clean, organized, safe, and accessible maintenance storage areas, parts rooms, cabinets, and inventory locations.

• Manage the organization and proper storage of lubricants, grease, maintenance chemicals, and related supplies.

• Maintain designated maintenance storage areas, including fire safety cabinets, in accordance with applicable safety and storage requirements.

• Monitor inventory usage trends and recommend improvements to stock levels, storage practices, and inventory control procedures.

• Communicate critical parts shortages, inventory concerns, and replenishment needs to the Maintenance Manager and appropriate personnel.

Maintenance Purchasing & Vendor Coordination – Primary Responsibility

• Identify and source maintenance parts, replacement components, tools, and supplies required to support plant operations.

• Obtain vendor quotes, pricing, availability, lead times, and product specifications.

• Prepare purchase requests and place approved orders within established purchasing authorization limits.

• Coordinate with the Maintenance Manager regarding purchasing priorities, critical parts, and anticipated expenditures.

• Monitor outstanding purchase orders and follow up with vendors regarding delayed or backordered materials.

• Expedite critical maintenance parts when necessary to minimize production downtime.

• Work with suppliers and Maintenance personnel to identify suitable replacement parts and alternative sourcing options.

• Verify received materials against purchase orders and coordinate resolution of shortages, incorrect shipments, or damaged products.

• Maintain accurate vendor, purchasing, and parts-related documentation.

• Assist with evaluating vendor performance, pricing, product quality, and service reliability.

• Support cost-effective purchasing and inventory practices while maintaining appropriate equipment reliability and spare parts availability.

Industrial Maintenance & Equipment Reliability – Primary Responsibility

• Perform preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance on manufacturing equipment, production systems, and facility infrastructure.

• Troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic equipment.

• Inspect, maintain, and repair conveyors, motors, gearboxes, bearings, pumps, valves, and other industrial components.

• Support maintenance and troubleshooting of equipment associated with grinding, batching, mixing, extrusion, drying, coating, conveying, packaging, and palletizing operations.

• Perform equipment inspections to identify wear, damage, abnormal operating conditions, and potential equipment failures.

• Repair or replace defective components and verify proper equipment operation following maintenance activities.

• Perform lubrication, adjustments, alignments, component replacements, and other routine maintenance tasks.

• Interpret equipment manuals, mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, and technical documentation.

• Assist with equipment installations, modifications, upgrades, and reliability improvement projects.

• Respond to equipment breakdowns and production-related maintenance calls as assigned.

• Coordinate with Production and Maintenance leadership to minimize equipment downtime and restore equipment to operation.

• Document maintenance activities, labor hours, parts usage, equipment conditions, and repair information accurately in the CMMS.

• Identify recurring equipment failures and recommend corrective actions or preventive maintenance improvements.

• Maintain tools, equipment, and maintenance work areas in a safe and organized condition.

• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on equipment reliability, safety, and operational efficiency.

Backup Maintenance Planning & Scheduling – Secondary Responsibility

• Serve as the designated backup for the Maintenance Planner during absences, periods of increased workload, or other operational needs.

• Assist with planning, scheduling, and coordinating preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance activities.

• Generate, review, update, and close maintenance work orders within the CMMS.

• Support scheduling of recurring preventive maintenance activities, including daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, annual, and other established maintenance tasks.

• Coordinate with Maintenance Supervisors and Production leadership regarding equipment availability, planned downtime, and maintenance priorities.

• Identify labor, tools, spare parts, materials, and estimated completion times required for scheduled maintenance work.

• Coordinate maintenance work-order assignments and scheduling with Maintenance Supervisors and the Maintenance Manager.

• Perform designated planning and scheduling responsibilities independently when authorized to provide backup coverage.

• Monitor open work orders, overdue preventive maintenance activities, and outstanding maintenance tasks.

• Assist with maintenance backlog reviews and prioritization of work based on equipment condition and operational needs.

• Support preparation of maintenance schedules for equipment shutdowns, major repairs, and special projects.

• Communicate incomplete work, schedule changes, resource constraints, and maintenance priorities to appropriate personnel.

• Maintain accurate planning documentation, equipment histories, and preventive maintenance records.

• Coordinate with the Maintenance Planner and Maintenance Manager to ensure continuity of maintenance planning activities.

CMMS Administration, Reporting & Documentation

• Maintain accurate CMMS records related to spare parts inventory, maintenance work orders, equipment information, and preventive maintenance activities.

• Ensure maintenance records accurately reflect work performed, labor hours, parts usage, and equipment conditions.

• Update inventory transactions, part information, storage locations, and purchasing-related records.

• Identify and correct incomplete, inaccurate, or outdated information within assigned areas of the CMMS.

• Generate reports related to inventory levels, parts usage, preventive maintenance completion, work-order status, and equipment downtime.

• Support inventory audits, maintenance inspections, and documentation requests.

• Assist with identifying opportunities to improve CMMS accuracy, reporting, and maintenance processes.

• Follow established procedures for maintenance documentation, purchasing records, and inventory transactions.

Maintenance Coordination & Continuous Improvement

• Communicate effectively with the Maintenance Manager, Maintenance Supervisors, Technicians, Production, Warehouse, and external vendors.

• Participate in maintenance meetings, shift pass-downs, and planning discussions as needed.

• Coordinate inventory availability with scheduled maintenance activities to ensure parts and materials are available when required.

• Identify opportunities to reduce equipment downtime, improve spare parts availability, and strengthen maintenance efficiency.

• Support maintenance improvement projects, equipment upgrades, and facility initiatives.

• Assist with contractor and vendor coordination when assigned.

• Balance inventory management, hands-on maintenance, and backup planning responsibilities based on departmental priorities.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• High school diploma or equivalent.

• Minimum of five years of industrial maintenance experience in a manufacturing environment, or an equivalent combination of technical education, training, and demonstrated advanced maintenance proficiency.

• Demonstrated experience troubleshooting and repairing mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic equipment.

• Working knowledge of preventive maintenance practices and industrial equipment maintenance.

• Experience with spare parts inventory management, inventory control, or maintenance materials coordination.

• Ability to identify industrial maintenance parts, components, tools, and supplies.

• Experience using a CMMS or similar maintenance work-order and inventory management system.

• Understanding of inventory transactions, cycle counting, stock replenishment, and inventory accuracy practices.

• Ability to interpret equipment manuals, mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, and technical documentation.

• Proficiency with computers, including Microsoft Office applications and electronic maintenance records.

• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to balance technical and administrative responsibilities.

• Excellent attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate inventory, purchasing, and maintenance documentation.

• Effective verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with Maintenance, Production, Warehouse, and external vendors.

• Ability to work overtime, weekends, or alternate shifts when operational needs require.

• Associate's degree, technical diploma, or certification in Industrial Maintenance, Mechatronics, Electrical Technology, Supply Chain, Inventory Management, or a related field.

• Previous experience in food, pet food, beverage, or other continuous manufacturing operations.

• Experience managing maintenance spare parts inventory, critical spare parts, and minimum and maximum stock levels.

• Experience with maintenance purchasing, vendor sourcing, purchase orders, and parts procurement.

• Previous experience in maintenance planning, preventive maintenance scheduling, or work-order coordination.

• Experience with CMMS administration, maintenance reporting, and equipment history analysis.

• Working knowledge of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), variable frequency drives (VFDs), industrial controls, and automated manufacturing equipment.

• Experience with equipment installation, troubleshooting, and reliability improvement projects.

• Experience supporting multi-shift manufacturing operations.

• Familiarity with inventory cycle counting, auditing, and warehouse organization practices.

• Advanced mechanical and electrical troubleshooting abilities.

• Strong understanding of industrial manufacturing equipment and maintenance practices.

• Knowledge of spare parts identification, inventory control, and maintenance purchasing processes.

• Ability to establish and maintain organized, accurate inventory records and storage systems.

• Understanding of maintenance planning, scheduling, and work-order processes.

• Ability to interpret technical documentation, equipment manuals, and parts diagrams.

• Proficiency in documenting maintenance activities, inventory transactions, and purchasing records.

• Strong organizational, time management, and prioritization skills.

• Ability to balance inventory management responsibilities with hands-on maintenance and backup planning assignments.

• Ability to independently troubleshoot technical issues and identify appropriate corrective actions.

• Strong communication and teamwork skills.

• Ability to work effectively with Maintenance leadership, Production, Warehouse, and external vendors.

• Commitment to workplace safety, equipment reliability, inventory accuracy, and continuous improvement.

• Ability to adapt to changing assignments, workloads, and operational priorities.

• Follow all company safety policies, procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements.

• Comply with Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), electrical safety, machine guarding, confined space, and other applicable maintenance safety requirements.

• Participate in mandatory safety training and use required personal protective equipment.

• Follow safe work practices when troubleshooting, repairing, or servicing manufacturing equipment.

• Use appropriate tools, equipment, and lifting techniques when performing maintenance activities.

• Maintain safe and organized maintenance workspaces, tools, and parts storage areas.

• Follow established requirements for handling, labeling, and storing lubricants, chemicals, and maintenance supplies.

• Maintain designated maintenance storage areas, including fire safety cabinets, in accordance with applicable safety requirements.

• Immediately report unsafe conditions, near misses, injuries, and other workplace safety concerns.

• Follow applicable Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), sanitation procedures, and food safety requirements.

• Perform maintenance activities in a manner that minimizes contamination risks and protects product quality.

• Ensure maintenance tools, parts, lubricants, and supplies are properly handled and stored.

• Follow established procedures for equipment maintenance, cleaning, inspection, and release back to Production.

• Maintain accurate maintenance documentation supporting food safety and quality requirements.

• Communicate equipment conditions or maintenance concerns that may affect product quality or food safety.

• Participate in required food safety and quality training.

• Follow applicable food safety management system requirements and established company procedures.

• Work is performed in an active manufacturing facility, maintenance areas, equipment rooms, warehouses, parts storage areas, and office environments.

• Regular exposure to manufacturing noise, dust, moving machinery, and varying temperatures.

• Frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, reaching, climbing, and working around manufacturing equipment.

• Ability to use hand tools, power tools, diagnostic equipment, and other maintenance-related equipment.

• Ability to lift and move tools, spare parts, equipment, and maintenance materials weighing up to 50 pounds, with assistance or mechanical lifting equipment when appropriate.

• Ability to climb stairs and ladders and access equipment locations as required, using appropriate safety procedures.

• Regular computer use and administrative work associated with inventory management, purchasing, and maintenance planning responsibilities.

• Must be able to wear required personal protective equipment and comply with applicable safety requirements.

• Flexibility to support maintenance needs across shifts, including occasional overtime or weekend work.

At United Petfood, we believe in investing in our employees and providing opportunities for growth and development. As our Maintenance Technician III, you will play an important role in maintaining equipment reliability, managing critical spare parts inventory, and providing flexible support for maintenance planning and scheduling.

This position offers the opportunity to combine advanced industrial maintenance skills with inventory management, purchasing coordination, and maintenance planning experience while contributing directly to the efficiency and reliability of our manufacturing operations.

We offer competitive pay, benefits, and a supportive work environment where your contributions make a direct impact on our operations.

Equal Opportunity Employer: United Petfood Producers USA Inc. is an equal opportunity workplace. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.