15 Dole Food Processing Operator Jobs Hiring Near You

OverviewPurpose:

Dole Packaged Foods is a purpose led organization that is a champion of accessible fruit nutrition and builds a brighter future for people through the goodness of fruit.

At Dole, our culture is uniquely driven by core Values. Our commitment to these Values transforms our work into a meaningful journey toward a brighter future together. Here, you'll be part of a respectful, inclusive culture that deeply values our colleagues, customers, and global communities. We strive for excellence, empowering each other to confidently overcome challenges, continuously learn, and achieve world-class results. Guided by unwavering integrity, our actions consistently reflect our commitment to always doing what's right, fostering lasting trust and strong relationships. Through a spirit of collaboration, we cultivate positivity, generosity, and genuine teamwork, enabling collective success toward our One Dole Purpose. Our innovative spirit leads directly to meaningful outcomes and business success.

The Maintenance Supervisor leads maintenance activities in a high-speed frozen fruit packaging facility, ensuring maximum equipment reliability, safety, quality, and operational efficiency. This role is responsible for supervising maintenance technicians and contractors, coordinating maintenance execution, troubleshooting equipment issues, supporting automation systems, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. The ideal candidate brings strong technical expertise, leadership capability, and a hands‑on approach to maintenance operations in a fast‑paced food manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities Primary Accountabilities:

• Supervise, coach, and develop maintenance technicians and contractors while promoting a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Monitor and record system information as necessary, report abnormal conditions, and ensure effective communication across shifts.
• Work with Production Supervisors and Planners to estimate maintenance completion times and establish equipment downtime windows that minimize operational disruption.
• Prioritize, assign, and monitor work orders to ensure timely completion and adherence to maintenance standards.
• Ensure safe, efficient operation of high-speed packaging lines including baggers, weighers, conveyors, sealers, case packers, and palletizers.
• Diagnose, analyze, investigate, and resolve equipment and facility malfunctions.
• Support departmental budget objectives through effective labor utilization, inventory management, preventive maintenance planning, and cost‑control initiatives.
• Utilize CMMS data and maintenance observations to identify trends, troubleshoot failures, and implement corrective actions.
• Hire, train, mentor, and develop maintenance personnel while supporting performance management and attendance expectations.
• Promote a safety‑first culture and ensure compliance with all health, safety, environmental, food safety, GMP, and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure proper Lockout/Tagout practices and isolation of all hazardous energy sources.
• Maintain equipment and work areas in sanitary condition suitable for frozen food manufacturing.
• Support execution of equipment upgrades, capital projects, automation improvements, and line modifications.
• Troubleshoot PLC‑based systems, HMI interfaces, motors, sensors, controls, and VFDs.
• Support improvements to automation systems that increase efficiency, reliability, and equipment uptime.
• Conduct regular production, safety, and maintenance meetings with department personnel.
• Monitor warranties and service agreements and communicate upcoming expirations.
• Oversee maintenance parts inventory and support inventory accuracy initiatives.
• Work with OEM manufacturers and suppliers to maintain cost‑effective sourcing strategies.
• Collaborate with Production, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Plant Leadership to implement best practices and achieve operational objectives.
• Report issues that may impact plant operations, food safety, quality, or employee safety to plant leadership in a timely manner.
• Ensure assigned team performs work in accordance with quality standards, operating procedures, work instructions, and company policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications Experience, Knowledge, & Skills You Bring:

• Minimum 5 years of maintenance experience in food manufacturing or other high-speed manufacturing environments.
• Minimum 2 years of supervisory or lead experience managing maintenance personnel.
• Strong hands‑on experience troubleshooting and maintaining high‑speed packaging and processing equipment.
• Experience with electrical systems, motors, controls, sensors, instrumentation, VFDs, and related automation technologies.
• Experience troubleshooting PLC‑based systems; Allen‑Bradley experience preferred.
• Experience with robotics, vision systems, and advanced automation technologies preferred.
• Working knowledge of preventive maintenance programs, CMMS systems, and maintenance planning processes.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, CAD drawings, schematics, and technical manuals.
• Working knowledge of GMPs, food safety requirements, and manufacturing regulatory standards.
• Strong leadership, coaching, employee development, and team‑building skills.
• Demonstrated problem‑solving, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement capabilities.
• Strong planning, organization, and time management skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills with the ability to collaborate across Operations, Engineering, Quality, and Supply Chain functions.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and computerized maintenance management systems; SAP experience preferred.
• Fluent in English; bilingual Spanish preferred.

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

• Passionate about a purpose driven career
• Passionate about collaborating respectfully in diverse and inclusive team environments
• Proactively seeks feedback and continuously improves work quality
• Consistently adheres to ethical standards and maintains transparency
• Actively contributes to achieving collective team goals

Education & Certification:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate degree, trade school certification, or technical training in Industrial Maintenance, Electrical Technology, Mechatronics, Automation, or a related field preferred.
• Additional maintenance, automation, or reliability certifications are a plus.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to climb stairs and ladders.
• Ability to work in temperature ranges from approximately -15°F to 120°F.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, reach, twist, and perform other physical movements throughout the workday.
• Ability to work safely in refrigerated, freezer, and manufacturing environments.

Work Environment:

• Cold, refrigerated, and freezer environments.
• Fast‑paced, high‑volume food manufacturing setting.
• Industrial production environment with associated noise levels.
• Must be available for off‑shift support, weekends, and emergency situations as business needs require.

Travel Requirements:

• Minimal to no travel is expected.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or on the basis of disability.

Dole Packaged Foods is committed to paying our Associates fairly and equitably. The pay rate offered will consider a wide range of factors, including but not limited to experience, education, accomplishments, and location. Pay scales are subject to review on a regular basis and will be updated as appropriate.