Senior Machine Operator Jobs in Ladoga, IN (NOW HIRING)

At Niagara, we're looking for Team Members who want to be part of achieving our mission to provide our customers the highest quality most affordable bottled water.
Consider applying here, if you want to:

• Work in an entrepreneurial and dynamic environment with a chance to make an impact.
• Develop lasting relationships with great people.
• Have the opportunity to build a satisfying career.

We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages for our Team Members.
Sr. Maintenance Technician ($10,000 Sign-On Bonus)
The Senior Maintenance Technician leads troubleshooting and continuous improvement efforts involving high-speed bottling, packaging, injection molding, and utility systems while supporting operational excellence, safety, product quality, and equipment reliability initiatives. This position plays a critical role in reducing downtime, improving equipment performance, and developing standardized maintenance best practices aligned with Niagara's maintenance and operational strategies.
The Senior Maintenance Technician is expected to demonstrate leadership through technical expertise, urgency, accountability, effective communication, and a strong commitment to safety, food safety, and continuous improvement.
The Senior Maintenance Technician leads troubleshooting and continuous improvement efforts involving high-speed bottling, packaging, injection molding, and utility systems while supporting operational excellence, safety, product quality, and equipment reliability initiatives. This position plays a critical role in reducing downtime, improving equipment performance, and developing standardized maintenance best practices aligned with Niagara's maintenance and operational strategies. The Senior Maintenance Technician is expected to demonstrate leadership through technical expertise, urgency, accountability, effective communication, and a strong commitment to safety, food safety, and continuous improvement.
Essential Functions

• Adhere to and enforce highest standards in safety and good manufacturing practices plant-wide

• Lead advanced troubleshooting and repair efforts involving electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, servo, PLC, automation, and process control systems in a high-speed manufacturing environment.

• Rapid identification of machine problems to minimize equipment downtime with root cause
analysis conducted to prevent re-occurrence.
• Use of available software systems to analyze and identify issues to drive throughput
performance.
• Train, mentor, and develop Operators, Maintenance Technicians, and Supervisors on technical procedures, troubleshooting methods, machine setup, operational standards, and equipment reliability practices.
• Work directly with plant leadership to develop and execute continuous improvement initiatives, equipment upgrades, process optimization projects, and corrective actions for recurring equipment failures.
• Lead and participate in root cause analysis investigations utilizing structured problem-solving methodologies such as 5 Whys, Fishbone Diagrams, and failure trend analysis.
• Utilize CMMS systems, downtime tracking software, and production performance data to identify equipment inefficiencies, recurring failures, and throughput opportunities.
• Assist with preventative, predictive, and reliability-centered maintenance initiatives including vibration analysis, thermal inspections, lubrication best practices, and equipment condition monitoring.
• Define requirements and lead overhaul efforts to rebuild equipment to like-new status during
planned downtime.
Blow Molding
• PET processing.
• Machine setup and startup procedures.
• Mold changes and adjustments.
• Quality inspection systems.
• Troubleshooting of blow molding systems.
Filling and Capping Systems
• Beverage processing methods.
• Cap feeding systems and lightweight closures.
• Vision inspection systems.
• Laser date coding systems.
• Quality and sanitation standards.
• Conveyor systems and line balancing.
Labeling Systems
• Roll-fed and cut-and-stack labeling systems.
• Machine setup and changeovers.
• Hot melt gluing systems.
• Conveyor integration and troubleshooting.
Dry-End Packaging Systems
• Case packers and case conveyors.
• Conventional and robotic palletizers.
• Stretch wrappers.
• Machine setup and changeovers for all package configurations.
Injection Molding Technology
• Husky injection molding systems consisting of hydraulic, pneumatic, electromechanical, and automation systems.
• Resin handling, blending, drying, dehumidification, conveying, and cooling systems
• Mold systems including hot runner and cold half maintenance.
• Inspection and troubleshooting through analysis of produced products and component wear
• High-speed plastic processing while maintaining tight tolerances and acceptable acetaldehyde (AA) levels.
OEM Equipment Experience
• Experience with high-speed OEM production equipment including Krones, Sidel, KHS, Sacmi, Husky, Tech Long, or equivalent systems preferred.
• Support facility and utility systems including chillers, air compressors, Reverse Osmosis systems, water filtration systems, pumps, and other plant utility equipment.
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance and support required on-call responsibilities to ensure facility and equipment uptime.
• Safely operate shop equipment including hydraulic presses, mechanical presses, drill presses, mills, lathes, grinders, welders, and assorted power tools.
• Ability to stand, walk, climb, bend, and lift up to 50 lbs. in a manufacturing environment for extended periods of time.
• Must possess the tools necessary to safely and effectively perform essential maintenance functions.
• This job description is not intended to contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Ability to stand or walk for extended periods of time in a manufacturing environment. Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

• Will need own toolbox and basic tools.

• Please note this job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without prior notice.

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications:

• 6 Years - Experience in a maintenance manufacturing environment

• 6 Years - Experience in Position

• 4 Years - Experience managing people/projects

*experience may include a combination of work experience and education

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and resolve issues across multiple departments and levels of the organization

• Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook

• Effective communication of issues and solutions to cross-functional team members

• Ability to read and interpret schematics: electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic

• Skilled in the use of shop equipment such as hydraulic and mechanical presses, bench grinder, drill press, mill and lathe, and assorted power tools.

• Skilled in troubleshooting and repair of industrial electrical systems including 480VAC, 120VAC, and 24VDC systems.

• Proficient skills with precision measuring equipment, such as calipers, dial indicators, bore gauges, and depth gauges

• Willingness to be a technical leader and trainer within a specific area of plant or machine center

• Preferred Qualifications:

• 10+ Years- Experience in a maintenance manufacturing environment

• 10+ Years - Experience working in Position

• 6 Years - Experience managing people/projects

*experience may include a combination of work experience and education

• 4 years of experience in one of the following fields: blow molding, injection molding,

• packaging, beverage or High-speed manufacturing environments

• 4 years of experience with Krones, Husky, Sidel, or other packaging or bottling equipment

• 1 year of experience leading and developing others on the functionality and repair of equipment

• 2 years of experience creating process improvements or continuous improvement initiatives

• Skilled in fabrication capabilities such as cutting and welding (mig, tig or stick)

• Ability to read and interpret schematics for process and instrumentation diagrams

• Skilled in the repair of variable frequency drives, servo motors and controllers, communication systems (asi-bus, can-bus, profi-bus, ethernet), PLC input/output cards, and safety modules.

• Experience with equipment commissioning, startup support, shutdown planning, and equipment reliability improvement initiatives preferred.

Competencies
This position embodies the values of Niagara's LIFE competency model, focusing on the following key drivers of success:

• Lead Like an Owner

• Makes safety the number one priority

• Keeps alert for safety issues and escalates immediately

• Effectively prioritizes tasks based on department goals

• Shows respect to others and confronts interpersonal issues directly

• Prioritizes resolution of customer issues effectively

• Responds promptly and honors commitments to internal and external customers

• InnovACT

• Makes recommendations to continuously improve policies, methods, procedures, and/or products

• Demonstrates adaptability by reacting appropriately to unexpected changes in situations or circumstances

• Increases performance through greater efficiency

• Find a Way

• Seeks to develop technical knowledge through learning from other experts

• Understands interdepartmental impact of individual decisions and actions

• Seeks solutions rather than placing blame

• Empowered to be Great

• Consistently looks for ways to improve one's self through growth and development opportunities

• Communicates clearly and promptly up, down, and across

• Communicates effectively to manage expectations

Education

• Minimum Required:

• High School Diploma or GED

• Preferred:

• Associate's Degree in manufacturing, manufacturing technology, mechatronics, industrial manufacturing, manufacturing automation or other similar manufacturing-related specialization

Certification/License:

• Required: N/A

• Preferred: N/A

Foreign Language

• Required: None Required

• Preferred: None Required

Benefits
Our Total Rewards package is thoughtfully designed to support both you and your family:
Regular full-time team members are offered a comprehensive benefits package, while part-time, intern, and seasonal team members are offered a limited benefits package.

• Paid Time Off for holidays, sick time, and vacation time
• Paid parental and caregiver leaves
• Medical, including virtual care options
• Dental
• Vision
• 401(k) with company match
• Health Savings Account with company match
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Expanded mental wellbeing benefits including free counseling sessions for all team members and household family members
• Family Building Benefits including enhanced fertility benefits for IVF and fertility preservation plus adoption, surrogacy, and Doula reimbursements
• Income protection including Life and AD&D, short and long-term disability, critical illness and an accident plan
• Special discount programs including pet plans, pre-paid legal services, identity theft, car rental, airport parking, etc.
• Tuition reimbursement, college savings plan and scholarship opportunities
• And more!

https://careers.niagarawater.com/us/en/benefits
* *Los Angeles County applicants only** Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the California Fair Chance Act, and any other applicable local and state laws.
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Employment agencies that have fee agreements with Niagara Bottling, LLC and have been engaged on a search shall submit résumé to the designated Niagara Bottling, LLC recruiter or, upon authorization, submit résumé into this career site to be eligible for placement fees.