Maintenance Technician - 1st shift

Company Information  

At Richelieu Foods, we are dedicated to a culture of belonging for everyone. Driven by our values of ownership, respect, and growth, we put people, safety, and quality above all else -- delicious pizza, outstanding service, and solid customer relationships are what happens as a result. 

Richelieu Foods, Inc. is a leading national private label and contract packing food manufacturer focused on frozen pizza. We have two manufacturing facilities located in IL and WI. We provide products to many national retailers, wholesalers, distributors, club and mass stores, as well as industrial accounts including other food manufacturers.

 

Job Summary

 

The Maintenance Technician is responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing production equipment and facility systems in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment, with a strong focus on electrical systems and controls. All work is performed in alignment with safety, GMP, and food safety standards. The ideal candidate is dependable, hands-on, and able to work collaboratively in a high-speed manufacturing setting where urgency, accountability, and teamwork are essential to maintaining production uptime.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair electrical and mechanical issues on production equipment.
• Install, maintain, and repair electrical systems including wiring, motors, starters, and control systems.
• Perform preventive maintenance based on schedules and production needs.
• Disassemble and reassemble equipment to repair or replace defective components.
• Adjust machinery and control systems to optimize performance.
• Respond to equipment breakdowns in a timely manner to minimize production downtime.
• Install, move, and relocate machinery and equipment based on layouts and drawings.
• Create and complete work orders, accurately documenting repairs and labor hours in CMMS.
• Collaborate with production and maintenance teams to support line efficiency and minimize downtime.
• Follow all safety procedures, including lockout/tagout and safe work practices.
• Support continuous improvement efforts related to equipment reliability and performance.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support departmental and organizational objectives.

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum 3–5 years of maintenance experience in a manufacturing environment (food manufacturing preferred).
• Strong electrical troubleshooting experience in industrial manufacturing environments.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, schematics, and wiring diagrams.
• Experience working with 3-phase motors, starters, and overloads.
• Working knowledge of mechanical systems (bearings, belts, chains, sprockets, etc.).
• Experience with CMMS systems and basic computer skills.
• Associate degree in Industrial Electricity, Automation, or related field or equivalent hands-on experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in food manufacturing environments
• Experience troubleshooting PLC-controlled equipment
• Familiarity with VFDs and basic programming or diagnostics
• Knowledge of sensors (pressure, flow, temperature) and control systems
• Experience supporting packaging or high-speed production lines

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Work is performed in a warehouse and food manufacturing environment.
• Regular exposure to varying temperatures, humidity, noise levels, and food ingredients.
• Frequent standing, sitting, and walking throughout scheduled shifts.
• Regular bending, reaching, pushing, pulling, and lifting as part of material-handling activities.
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with company policies.
• May be required to work varying shifts, weekends, and extra time dependent on business needs.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.  

 

Expected Hours of Work  

Five days’ workweek schedule, with one weekend day mandatory if scheduled prior.

Occasionally 6-day workweek based on production demand.  

 

Pay & Benefits

The following information is provided in accordance with applicable state and local laws. Compensation is based on experience, geographic locations, and other legally permitted factors. The starting hourly rate is $28.00/hr. This position may also be eligible for overtime pay and shift differentials. 

Benefits for this role include medical, dental, and vision insurance; pre-tax spending accounts; 401K with company match; paid time off; short-term and long-term disability; and life insurance. 

Disclosures 

This job description is not intended, nor should it be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, or working conditions associated with the job. It is intended only to be a general description of the essential functions common to positions of this type.  

Richelieu Foods, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. 

 

This position is based on our Wheeling, IL location. 

 

Richelieu Foods, Inc. is a leading national private label and contract packing food manufacturer focused on frozen pizza. We have two manufacturing facilities located in IL and WI. We provide products to many national retailers, wholesalers, distributors, club and mass stores, as well as industrial accounts including other food manufacturers.  

 

Richelieu Foods, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.