About The Job
Maintenance Technician (Pet Food Manufacturing)
Job Identification
Job Title:Maintenance Technician
Department: Engineering / Maintenance
Reports To: Maintenance & Project Engineering Manager
Direct Reports: None
Work Location:On-site (New Zealand Pet Food Manufacturing Plant)
Work Schedule:Shift; flexibility for breakdowns/shutdowns as required
Job Purpose
Execute safe, high-quality maintenance work to keep manufacturing equipment reliable and compliant in a pet food production environment. The Maintenance Technician performs
planned preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and corrective repairs, supports shutdowns and changeovers, and maintains accurate work documentation in the CMMS. The role follows site standards for
LOTO, permits, GMP/hygienic maintenance, and machine handover/release, minimizing downtime while protecting people and product safety.
Key Result Areas (KRAs) & Responsibilities
KRA 1: Planned Maintenance Execution & Asset Care (35%):
- Execute assigned Preventive Maintenance (PM) tasks to required standard (inspection, lubrication, adjustments, wear checks) and record results in the CMMS.
- Perform routine equipment inspections and basic condition checks within competency/authorization; report abnormalities early (noise, vibration, heat, leaks, wear).
- Provide feedback to the Supervisor/Planner on PM job plan clarity, missing parts/tools, and recurring defects.
KRA 2: Troubleshooting & Corrective Maintenance (35%):
- Respond to faults and breakdowns; diagnose and repair within trade scope and authorization, restoring equipment safely and efficiently.
- Escalate appropriately for specialized electrical/instrumentation/controls or safety-critical issues; coordinate with other trades and contractors as needed.
- Verify post-repair performance through functional checks and support trial runs where required.
KRA 3: Safety, GMP, and Machine Handover Discipline (Non-negotiable) (20%):
- Comply with site safety requirements, including LOTO, permit-to-work (hot work/confined space/working at heights where applicable), and contractor safety protocols.
- Follow GMP/hygienic maintenance practices: contamination control, tool control, housekeeping, foreign material prevention, and proper clean-down.
- Follow machine handover requirements:
- Confirm pre-maintenance handover requirements are met (safe stop, isolation/LOTO, access readiness).
- Complete post-maintenance release steps (guards reinstated, tools removed, housekeeping completed) and sign-offs as required.
- Provide required checklists/evidence for attachment to the work order.
KRA 4: CMMS Documentation, Parts Usage & Shift Handover (10%):
- Complete work orders in CMMS (Limble) accurately and on time: fault description, actions taken, parts used, labor time, readings/measurements, photos where useful.
- Ensure parts are issued/recorded correctly against work orders and report stockouts or wrong parts promptly.
- Provide clear shift-to-shift handover notes for open jobs, risks, and equipment conditions.
Success Measures (KPIs)
- PM compliance (technician completion rate): % of assigned PMs completed on time and to standard.
- Work order quality: % of WOs closed with complete documentation (actions, parts, time, evidence where required).
- Safety compliance: zero LOTO/permit breaches; participation in safety observations; near-miss reporting quality.
- Handover compliance: % of jobs with required pre/post handover steps completed and sign-offs provided (as applicable).
- Repeat work/rework rate: reduction in repeat fixes on the same asset/failure within an agreed period (trend-based).
- Breakdown response effectiveness (role-based): timely response and restoration within agreed expectations (measured via downtime logs where applicable).
- Housekeeping/GMP adherence: audit pass rate for maintenance area cleanliness, tool control, foreign material prevention after work.
Note: KPIs should be measured fairly based on shift coverage, job difficulty, and parts availability; the focus is consistent workmanship and discipline, not hero fixes.
Qualifications & Experience
- Technical diploma or trade qualification preferred (Mechanical/Electrical).
- 3+ years experience as a Maintenance Technician in manufacturing (food/FMCG preferred).
- Ability to read equipment manuals, basic drawings/schematics relevant to trade scope.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong mechanical troubleshooting fundamentals (drives, conveyors, gearboxes, bearings, pneumatics) and/or trade-specific competence.
- Safe isolation/LOTO understanding and permit compliance.
- CMMS usage discipline (closing work orders, recording parts/time).
- Strong workmanship standards, attention to detail, and teamwork across trades and operations.
- Calm under pressure during breakdowns while maintaining safe work practices.
Note
TRADE SCOPE LIMITATIONS (NZ COMPLIANCE / ROLE BOUNDARIES):
This role is a mechanical maintenance position and is not expected to perform:
- Electrical installation, diagnostics, or electrical repairs unless the employee holds appropriate NZ electrical registration/competency and is formally authorised.
- Welding/fabrication work unless the employee holds the required welding qualification/competency and is authorised for that work.
- Automation/PLC/instrumentation work (handled by electrical/instrumentation specialists).
