Packaging Mechanic I

Title: Packaging Mechanic I

Location: Pasco, WA

About Lamb Weston

You’ve probably enjoyed our fries without even knowing it! As a leading manufacturer in our industry, and public Fortune 500 company, we inspire and bring people together with foods they love and trust. Our customer base includes international food service providers, restaurants, and households in over 100 countries around the world.

A highly innovative global corporation with a start-up mindset, we empower every individual to make a genuine difference. You’ll gain access to hands-on training to fuel your growth and success, explore opportunities for new solutions, and you’ll join a winning team of 10,000+ people all dedicated to raising the bar – together.

If you have a strong drive for results, a desire to help us bring the world together through our fries, and are ready for a fresh challenge, we want to hear from you.

Job Description Summary

This positions is responsible for the routine and non-routine repair and maintenance of packaging equipment and systems. The ideal candidate has an extensive mechanical aptitude and a demonstrates a strong desire to continue to expand and to build on their established knowledge and skills in the repair and maintenance of packaging equipment and systems in compliance with established Company standards.

Job Description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following, other duties may be assigned.

• Maintains and promotes safe work practices at all times, assures that safe work practices are being followed in all work groups, and actively participates in safety programs.
• Perform assigned duties and responsibilities in a safe and satisfactory manner.
• Must understand and comply with all known posted or generally accepted instructions, procedures, rules, practices, policies or other items covered in the Employee Handbook.
• Is fully competent in performing corrective and preventive maintenance including the lubrication and inspection of equipment within scope of responsibility to sustain and improve equipment reliability.
• Competently performs the safe isolation, shut down, inspection, adjustment, repair/overhaul or startup of equipment and systems within scope of responsibility with the mindset to identify defects, identify the reason for the failure, and then take corrective action to eliminate a recurring failure.
• Competently performs the troubleshooting of issues such as mechanical, electrical and pneumatic to identify defects, identify the reason for the failure, determine root cause and to take corrective action to eliminate recurring failure.
• Competently performs and documents removal, installation, disassembly, repair, and re-assembly of plant components and equipment as needed to obtain optimal, reliable and sustainable operation.
• Competently documents corrective maintenance and preventive maintenance including the lubrication and inspection of equipment to improve and sustain equipment reliability. Documentation may include but is not limited to SAP, Belt Tracking form, FM form, BDE card, etc...
• Competently evaluates equipment for performance. Per training and following established procedures, competently performs manual adjustments, overrides automatic controls, etc., to bring equipment into recommended or prescribed operating ranges. Switch to backup equipment or systems, or shut down equipment as needed to assure optimal equipment performance and the production of quality potato products.
• Competently performs most non-routine maintenance jobs assigned by the Packaging Maintenance Lead, Maintenance Team Leader, Team Leader Production, or Plant Management and will perform repairs with minimal supervision.
• Assist other work groups, specialists, outside resources and contractors with the troubleshooting, adjustment, repair, replacement, modification, maintenance, rebuilding and installation of components, equipment, piping, etc., as directed.
• Proficient in the utilization of resources such as but not limited to printed or on-line equipment manuals, operating instructions, troubleshooting guidelines, blueprints, schematics, diagrams, etc., to assemble, disassemble, troubleshoot, repair or replace equipment or system components.
• Strongly encouraged to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to advance from a 1st Class Packaging Mechanic to a Technician Packaging Mechanic. The three-part advancement test to the Technician level consists of 1) Weld test, 2) Written test and 3) Hands-on validation of some advanced troubleshooting skills. Passing grade for all written examinations must be 75% or better.

• If hired in or transferred in as 1st Class, must be qualified to remain 1st Class within 6 months after date of hire or transfer as 1st Class by passing the 1st Class Packaging Mechanic test. Passing grade for all written examinations must be 75% or better.
• Failure to pass this test will result in a minimum of 30 days and a maximum of 45 days waiting period before re-testing. Failure to pass the second test will result in demotion to a 2nd Class rating and pay scale.
• One more opportunity to pass the 1st Class test will be given within the remainder of the 18 months of your hire or transfer date as a 1st Class. Failure to pass this test will result in termination or reassignment outside the maintenance department.
• Prior experience with packaging equipment is a definite advantage. Packaging equipment and systems include but is not limited to graders, shakers, conveyors, scales, baggers, coders, metal detectors, robotics, casing and case sealing equipment, palletizing and auto truck loading equipment.
• Consistently performs assigned activities that optimizes and sustains equipment operation and reliability to maximize plant production and uptime with very minimal Lead or Management assistance. 
• Must be able to work the scheduled days, shifts, times and overtime required for this position. Must be able to work the scheduled days, shifts, times and overtime required for this position.
• Is a recognized competent SME (Subject Matter Expert) on a minimum of 2 different pieces of equipment.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Maintain 5S standards, (Sort, Set, Systematize, Shine and Sustain).  Keep a neat, clean, orderly work area.
• Competently follows instruction given verbally, in work orders, equipment manuals, etc. Advises Team Leader and Planner of any inaccuracies found in work orders, manuals, schematics, etc., and documents in SAP where applicable.
• Is competent in the use of SAP to locate equipment and any data in SAP on that equipment such as drawings, schematics, parts, etc., as well as if the part is a stocked item in our plant Stores, the quantity on hand and the bin location. Through the use of SAP, should also be capable of identifying any other plant that would have the item on hand.
• Is capable and willing to assist Stores personnel, when needed, to identify or locate needed equipment or parts in the secured Stores areas.
• Provides accurate detailed information to Planner(s) of inaccuracies found in equipment BOM’s or items needing added to equipment BOM’s.
• Submits Notifications for deficiencies noted during the performance of tasks or through general observation that will improve and sustain reliability.
• Competently examines parts to identify defects, identify root cause reason for the failure, and to take appropriate corrective action to sustain optimal, reliable and sustainable operation.
• Complete assigned work in a timely manner. If held over to cover an absence, complete the assigned work of the absent team member. (For example, if covering 4 hours of an 8-hour shift, complete 4 hours of the absent team members assigned work.) Fully accounts for time worked (less breaks) utilizing the CMMS system (SAP).
• Is responsible for the competent troubleshooting, replacement and re-wiring of electrical components being replaced. For example, troubleshooting of a motor back to the MCC bucket and verifying that wires are properly torqued, heaters/overloads and fuses are good and if bad replacing them (with the properly rated components), or changing rotation of a motor if required.
• When troubleshooting or replacing motors, takes, compares and documents the motor amp-draw to the FLA rating of the motor.
• Has the experience and is knowledgeable enough of the packaging department equipment and systems to optimize operating and troubleshooting procedures.
• Repair or assist in repairs in other areas of the plant as instructed by the Maintenance Lead, Maintenance Team Leader, Team Leader Production, or Plant Management.
• Participates in and helps drive DMS (Daily Management System) and other miscellaneous programs as assigned.
• Must be able to differentiate between stainless steel, mild steel and aluminum materials and possess the knowledge to determine the appropriate applications and correct fabrication and welding process for each.
• Is competent in bonding materials together utilizing various processes such as but not limited to welding, soldering, bolting, riveting, screwing, clip, caulk, or bond materials together.
• Cut, weld, repair or install materials and equipment to company specifications using verbal direction, prints, sketches, diagrams, and blueprints.
• Is competent in the use of hand tools, power tools, and testing or specialty equipment necessary to execute the duties associated with this job. (Test or specialty equipment includes but is not limited to multimeters, meggers, infrared and laser alignment tools.)
• Is competent in setting up and operating fabricating machines such as shears, brakes, presses, nibblers and routers to cut, bend, block and form, or straighten materials.
• Lays out and marks dimensions and reference lines on material to develop or trace patterns of parts or uses templates.
• Is competent in constructing/repairing foundations for machines. Is proficient in aligning machines and equipment utilizing the proper tools such as but limited to laser alignment and shims.
• Competent in following established procedures to assist in the coaching of new employees in the safest and proper way to operate and maintain equipment.
• Demonstrates the knowledge, experience, desire and communication skills to share learnings with fellow employees, salaried team members and outside resources to improve collaboration to improve safety, working relationships, and equipment performance. Sharing of this knowledge may be in the form of one on one or potentially a ‘classroom style’ setting.
• Qualified to operate Powered Lift Trucks, Scissor Lifts, Man Lifts, Snorkel Lifts and other equipment necessary to facilitate the execution of their various job functions including but not limited to the maintenance, removal, or placement of equipment, and/or the materials, supplies and tools associated with maintenance activities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

With personal protective equipment, the employee occasionally works in high, precarious places, near high heat, and in outside weather conditions and is occasionally exposed to sub-freezing temperatures. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk of electrical shock.

The noise level in the work environment requires the use of appropriate hearing protection.

Basic & Preferred Qualifications

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:  High School diploma or General Education Degree (GED) preferred; two-year certificate from college or technical school or equivalent combination of four years education and related experience and/or training.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:  Ability to read and comprehend instructions, correspondence, and memos in English.  Ability to write accurate information in English. Ability to effectively present or listen to information in one‑on‑one and small group situations with all other employees of the organization in English.

MATHMATICAL SKILLS:  Must be able to add, subtract, multiply, divide, and calculate proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

REASONING ABILITY:  Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, or ability required.

Industry-Competitive Benefits

Coupled with our compensation and bonus incentive programs, our benefits deliver rewards that are market competitive.  Some of the most attractive elements of our benefit programs include:

• Health Insurance Benefits - Medical, Dental, Vision

• Flexible Spending Accounts for Health and Dependent Care, and Health Reimbursement Accounts

• Well-being programs including companywide events and a wellness incentive program

• Paid Time Off

• Financial Wellness – Industry leading 401(k) plan with generous company contributions, Financial Planning Services, Employee Stock purchase program, and Health Savings Accounts, Life and Accident insurance

• Family-Friendly Employee events

• Employee Assistance Program services – mental health and other concierge type services

Benefits may vary based on location, job role/level, job status, and/or the terms of any applicable collective bargaining agreements.

Job Requisition ID: Req-258167

Time Type: Full time

The anticipated close date is a good faith estimate for when this job will be closed. Some jobs may be unposted or filled earlier or later than the Anticipated Close Date depending on interview processes and business needs. Anticipated Close Date: 10/16/2025

In compliance with applicable state and local laws, Lamb Weston has opted to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. This compensation is specific to this position and takes into account a number of variables. Actual compensation may be higher or lower in the range based on various factors, including, but not limited to a candidate’s work location, job duties, experience and expertise. A reasonable hourly estimate of the range for this role based on the variables previously mentioned is: $34.01 - $35.01

Lamb Weston is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected factor under federal, state or local law