Maintenance Technician in Chicago, Illinois at Vosges Haut-Chocolat

Key Responsibilities

Maintenance Program & CMMS Ownership

• Administer and continuously improve the CMMS system (work orders, preventative maintenance schedules, reporting).
• Ensure all work orders are properly assigned, documented, and closed in a timely manner.
• Develop metrics and reporting to monitor equipment performance, downtime, and maintenance effectiveness.
• Expand preventative maintenance schedules based on failure history, OEM recommendations, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Equipment & Technical Maintenance

• Oversee preventative and reactive maintenance for production machinery (tempering systems, depositors, flow wrappers, cartoners, refrigeration, etc.).
• Perform troubleshooting and repairs on mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and PLC-driven systems.
• Conduct equipment inspections, identify risks, and recommend upgrades or replacements as needed.
• Support capital projects, new equipment installations, and line upgrades.

Facility & Contractor Management

• Manage the maintenance and upkeep of facility infrastructure (HVAC, roofing, plumbing, fire safety, chilling systems, utilities).
• Serve as the primary liaison with sub-contractors for specialized services (e.g., roofing, HVAC, refrigeration, fire protection, electrical, plumbing).
• Schedule and oversee contractor work to ensure minimal disruption to production.
• Ensure building and equipment compliance with all regulatory requirements (safety, environmental, fire codes, food safety).

Leadership & Administration

• Lead, train, and support a small maintenance team (currently two members).
• Maintain accurate maintenance logs, service records, and compliance documentation in line with food safety standards (FDA, SQF, HACCP, etc.).
• Manage spare parts inventory, vendor relationships, and the maintenance budget.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.

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Qualifications

Required:

• 5+ years of maintenance experience in food manufacturing, confectionery, or other process industries.
• Strong working knowledge of mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, refrigeration, and PLC systems.
• Demonstrated experience with CMMS systems (administration, reporting, and program development).
• Proven ability to manage contractors and facility systems (HVAC, refrigeration, fire safety, roofing, etc.).
• Excellent organizational, documentation, and communication skills.
• Ability to balance administrative work with hands-on technical responsibilities.

Preferred:

• Prior supervisory or team leadership experience.
• Experience with confectionery or chocolate processing and packaging equipment.
• Familiarity with SQF, HACCP, and FDA compliance requirements.
• Exposure to Lean Manufacturing or Continuous Improvement practices.

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Success in This Role

• Proactive maintenance and CMMS-driven scheduling minimize unplanned downtime.
• All facility systems (HVAC, fire safety, refrigeration, etc.) remain in compliance and operational.
• Contractors are effectively managed to deliver timely, cost-effective services.
• Accurate, timely, and audit-ready documentation of maintenance activities.
• A motivated, safety-minded maintenance team that supports the factory’s growth.