Title:

Lead Maintenance Technician (7am - 4pm) Shacksbury Cider is a cider company and co-packing facility, located in Vergennes and Middlebury, Vermont. We produce hard cider under our own brand, and provide co-packing services to a number of other brands, including non-alcoholic, spirits-based, wine-based, and malt-based beverages.

JOB OVERVIEW

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Master Maintenance Technician to serve as the technical authority for our canning facility's equipment. This role is essential to maintaining high-performance production lines, minimizing downtime, and ensuring all machinery operates at peak efficiency. You will act as the go-to technical expert for complex mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic repairs. The ideal candidate has deep operational knowledge, strong troubleshooting capabilities, and a commitment to safety and precision.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Troubleshooting & Repair:

Diagnose and repair complex faults in high-speed canning, filling, labeling, and packaging machinery. Perform advanced mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic repairs.

Preventative Maintenance:

Develop and execute comprehensive preventative maintenance programs. Proactively identify potential failure points and conduct predictive maintenance to ensure machine longevity and consistent output.

Equipment Installation & Setup:

Lead the setup, calibration, and commissioning of new production equipment. Ensure all installations meet manufacturer specifications and internal safety/quality standards.

Mentorship & Training:

Serve as a technical mentor for our our operations team. Provide on-the-job training, coach team members on complex repair techniques, and foster a culture of technical excellence and safety compliance.

Documentation & Reporting:

Maintain accurate records of all maintenance activities, parts usage, and downtime. Analyze maintenance data to recommend upgrades or process improvements.

Operational Collaboration:

Work closely with our operations managers to optimize machine settings, reduce changeover times, and troubleshoot production bottlenecks in real-time.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

Experience:

10+ years of experience in an industrial maintenance role, specifically within a food or beverage manufacturing environment. Proven experience with high-speed canning lines is highly preferred.

Technical Expertise:

Advanced proficiency in electrical controls (PLCs, VFDs), hydraulics, pneumatics, and mechanical systems. Ability to read and interpret complex electrical schematics and mechanical blueprints.

Certifications:

Journeyman license or technical certification in Industrial Maintenance, Mechatronics, or related fields. Fork lift certified.

Problem-Solving:

Exceptional diagnostic skills with a demonstrated ability to resolve recurring technical issues and improve machine reliability.

Soft Skills:

Reliable, punctual and engaged. Good communication skills with the ability to clearly explain technical issues to non-technical staff and lead by example in a high-pressure production environment. A desire to learn new things and a curiosity about how things work. Strong attention to detail and or

Safety Mindset:

Unwavering commitment to safety protocols, including Lock-Out/Tag-Out (LOTO), personal protective equipment (PPE), and adherence to food safety standards (SQF/GMP).

Organization:

must have strong attention to detail, organization, and documentation accuracy.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job the employee is required to stand and/or sit for long periods of time and walk; use fingers, handle, or feel objects; reach with hands; talk and hear; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, twist, bend and crouch. The employee must occasionally lift or carry up to 60 pounds and manipulate and/or move up to 155 pounds. Use of arms above the shoulder is sometimes required. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Requires manual dexterity and ability to quickly move hand(s), hand with arm, grasp, manipulate or assemble. The employee operates a motor vehicle/forklift.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. Employees must wear PPE ear and eye protection at certain times, as directed.

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$30.00 - $55.00 per hour

Benefits:

Dental insurance Employee discount Health insurance Paid time off Parental leave Vision insurance Ability to

Commute:

Middlebury, VT 05753 (Required) Ability to

Relocate:

Middlebury, VT 05753: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location:

In person