Equipment Technician

Location: Hershey, PA (Technical Center)

Summary:

Reporting to the Associate Manager Manufacturing & Maintenance and working at the Technical Center. This position provides basic operational and quality services that fully support product and process development activities in the Pilot Plant, Semi-Works, and laboratory areas. Activities include the installation and modification of processing/ laboratory equipment and the setup/ operating of process systems for Product Development and Engineering activities. Work includes basic utility support systems and services as required by equipment, processes, and associated preventative maintenance activities. This position will spend 60% of their time at the Tech Center supporting production runs and up to 40% at the Semi-Works facility supporting equipment setup, operating processing, and packaging equipment.

This role will interact and partner with:

Global R&D, Tech Center Operations, Engineering, QRC & CI

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

1. Pilot Plant production: With general direction, set up and operate pilot plant equipment supporting Pilot Plant and Semiworks projects. Perform minor repairs and maintenance to Pilot Plant equipment in a manner that fully supports Product Development & Engineering activities. Maintain laboratory benchtop equipment related to product processing. Assist with the installation of acquired equipment and work with vendors to install, modify, repair, or remove equipment and processes in the Pilot Plant and Semiworks. Perform work, coordinate outside services, and order parts related to miscellaneous capital assignments.
2. Provide QA support by performing equipment teardown and cleaning and testing to ensure the safety of our equipment for food manufacturing. Provide cleaning support to Product Development and Engineering to ensure proper cleaning procedures are being completed in a correct manner.
3. Develop weekly work schedules through the review and prioritization of work order requests and the production schedule. Adjust weekly work schedules and priorities to accommodate un-planned work requests.
Work with Product Development, Engineering and Pilot Plant Operations members to review and establish timelines for projects and trials.

Minimum Knowledge & Abilities:

• Knowledge of products and processes associated with the Food Industry.
• Ability to learn electrical troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair of processing equipment by completing basic electrical training.
• Ability to learn the basics of mechanical principles for trouble shooting and repair of Pilot Plant equipment.
• Knowledge of utility systems for basic preventative maintenance assignments.
• Knowledge of GMP's.
• Capable of completing training and certification to operate all Tech Center Powered Industrial Trucks.
• Complete the appropriate training to gain the knowledge of Electrical Safe Work procedures.
• Ability to effectively communicate technical data to non-technical personnel.
• Ability to plan and perform work under limited supervision.
• Ability to effectively communicate and coordinate activities of contractors and vendors.
• Ability to plan and execute multiple priorities while being flexible and adaptive to change.
• Complete the appropriate training to read and understand blueprints, schematics and building equipment specifications.
• Ability to work in varied environments and to be flexible to frequent priority and schedule changes.
• Ability to repeatedly bend, stoop, and stretch, and spend a major portion of the work shift standing and walking.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds by yourself and 100 pounds with assistance.
• Perform other associated tasks and duties as required by Supervision.

Education & Experience:

High School diploma. Two-year Technical degree or certification in related field preferred.

1-2 years relevant experience in a technical specialty or equivalent. Experience in food processing environment preferred.