Maintenance Lead in Indianapolis, Indiana at Vibrant Ingredients

The Maintenance Technician Team Lead is responsible for leading maintenance activities while performing hands-on mechanical, electrical, and facility maintenance in a food manufacturing environment. This position serves as the primary maintenance leader on shift, ensuring effective communication, proper work delegation, equipment reliability, and safe work practices. The Team Lead is expected to lead by example and support production by maximizing equipment uptime and maintenance effectiveness.

Essential Leadership Responsibilities

Communication

• Conduct shift handoffs with Production and Maintenance teams to communicate equipment status, startup priorities, shutdown activities, and outstanding repairs.
• Provide effective communication between shifts regarding ongoing maintenance issues.
• Keep leadership informed of maintenance progress, PM completion, equipment concerns, and major findings.
• Review and respond to emails daily.
• Complete and distribute end-of-shift reports.
• Serve as the primary maintenance contact for significant equipment issues.

Team Leadership

• Lead by example in safety, performance, professionalism, and attitude.
• Assign preventive maintenance, repair work, and planned maintenance projects.
• Direct daily workflow and prioritize maintenance activities.
• Ensure work is completed safely, efficiently, and with high quality standards.
• Report concerns related to safety, attendance, performance, or policy violations.
• Support and develop maintenance team members through coaching and guidance.
• Maintain a strong focus on accountability and attendance expectations.

Essential Maintenance Responsibilities

• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on manufacturing equipment.
• Troubleshoot and repair electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems.
• Inspect, test, dismantle, repair, and reassemble production equipment.
• Identify root causes of equipment failures and implement corrective actions.
• Complete startup, shutdown, and line-down maintenance activities.
• Install replacement parts and perform equipment modifications as required.
• Collaborate with Production and Engineering to improve equipment performance.
• Document maintenance activities, repairs, and troubleshooting efforts.
• Maintain maintenance shop organization, inventory, tools, and spare parts.
• Perform basic facility maintenance including plumbing, lighting, drains, and general building repairs.
• Assist with installation and commissioning of new equipment.
• Complete all other duties as assigned by management.

Safety and Compliance

• Follow all company safety policies, GMP requirements, and food safety standards.
• Participate in safety programs and promote a safety-first culture.
• Immediately report accidents, injuries, near misses, unsafe conditions, or unsafe acts.
• Ensure OSHA compliance and proper use of tools and equipment.
• Demonstrate safe work practices at all times.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED
• 3+ years of maintenance experience in a manufacturing environment; food manufacturing preferred
• 3+ years of industrial electrical experience
• 1+ year of boiler equipment experience
• Knowledge of GMPs, food safety requirements, and food processing equipment
• Understanding of single-phase and three-phase electrical systems, AC/DC circuits, and industrial controls
• Ability to read electrical and mechanical schematics, blueprints, and technical manuals
• Experience with preventive maintenance programs and work order systems
• Ability to work overtime, weekends, and off-shift schedules as needed
• Basic maintenance tools required

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Regular standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, climbing, and ladder use.
• Ability to lift up to 75 pounds occasionally.
• Frequent use of hand tools, power tools, and testing equipment.
• Exposure to manufacturing environments with loud noise, temperature extremes, moving equipment, and wet conditions.
• Ability to work under time-sensitive conditions while troubleshooting and repairing critical production equipment.