Mechanical Maintenance Team Lead - Kelso

In Australia, the J.R. Simplot Company’s core operations are food manufacturing and agriculture, encompassing potato, vegetable, seafood and sauce operations. We supply a wide range of frozen, shelf-stable and chilled products to Australia and New Zealand’s major retail and foodservice customers and are part of Simplot’s Global Food business. With 17 food manufacturing and processing sites, Simplot Global Food serves retail and foodservice customers in 37 countries, and employs 8,000 people across North America, Latin America and Asia Pacific.

 

In Australia, we are a leading provider of quality, nourishing and sustainable food, focussed on creating food that maximises value from the best Australian-grown produce and global seafood. Our iconic brands have been an integral part of Australian life for generations, and include Leggo’s, Birds Eye, Edgell, John West and Chiko.

Culture and Benefits

At Simplot, we are fueled by our purpose: We Contribute to Feeding Our World. We imagine a better future and set goals to reach it. We are committed to working as one Simplot and are guided by our shared values:
 

• Respect for Resources
• Spirit of Innovation
• Passion for People

We embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion. We care about creating an environment that promotes safety and wellbeing and where our people feel supported, respected and empowered. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination and are committed to providing equal opportunities for all our team members.

Simplot is passionate about cultivating a future where good ideas and inspiring possibilities have the chance to grow. We want our team members to build exciting and fulfilling careers with us and offer professional and personal growth opportunities.

The Perks

 

• Bonus incentives
• Discounted health insurance options
• Income Protection Insurance
• Novated car leasing agreements
• Fully supplied & laundered uniform, boots & PPE
• Training & development opportunities
• Opportunity to purchase additional annual leave
• Discount options on gym memberships, hire cars, and Microsoft Office products

About Our Role

• Site based leadership role
• Hands-on operational duties
• Form part of a progressive, high performing team
   

An exciting opportunity exists for the permanent full-time position of Mechanical Maintenance Team Lead at our Kelso manufacturing facility.  Simplot Kelso is our seafood and snacking processing plant, producing 75 SKUs for the retail and foodservice markets including Birds Eye, I&J and Captain's Catch branded products. The site employs about 100 people, with approximately 95% of manufactured goods consisting of either Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) or Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) seafood.

Reporting to the Engineering Manager, the Mechanical Maintenance Team Leader will lead and coordinate a team of mechanical shift and day workers (8 x tradespeople) to meet the site’s Production and Maintenance schedules in order to optimise plant reliability, improve employee safety and minimise costs.

Site equipment includes
 

• Slicer presser, fish finger and Formax processing equipment
• Radio frequency tunnels
• Dusting, coating and frying equipment
• Spiral freezing and frozen stores
• 2 automated, robotic packing and palletising lines

What You Will Do

 

• Lead a team of mechanical tradespeople ensuring compliance to all Simplot policies and procedures
• Set direction and schedule work activities for the mechanical team
• Coordinate and supervise the safe and effective execution of planned mechanical maintenance work in accordance with the maintenance schedule
• Respond to unplanned and emergency breakdowns in a timely manner
• Coordinate and supervise the execution of "opportunity" maintenance activities
• Assist in the planning & scheduling of mechanical maintena