DISTINCTIVE FOODS

Maintenance Mechanic

Wheeling, IL | Tunnel Oven Facility

About the Role

Distinctive Foods is seeking a hands-on Maintenance Mechanic to join their team at the Wheeling, IL tunnel oven facility. This is a newly dedicated role - the first of its kind at this location - created to ensure production equipment runs at peak performance. The right candidate will be mechanically resourceful, safety-conscious, and comfortable working independently in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.

This role is not about implementing new systems - it's about keeping things running. You'll be the go-to person on the floor for mechanical, electrical, and gas-burning oven issues, with an eye toward process improvement when time allows.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain and troubleshoot production and packaging equipment to minimize downtime

• Service and repair tunnel oven (70' x 1 meter wide) and associated make-up equipment including 3-head sheeters, conveyor belts, mixers, and extruders

• Maintain and service oil sprayer systems

• Maintain and service topping systems

• Maintain refrigeration equipment and systems

• Maintain packaging equipment including horizontal over-wrappers, vertical fill machines, labelers, shrink wrappers, and air compressors

• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on pneumatic, electrical, and gas-burning oven systems

• Work with and manage outside vendors for specialized repairs and service

• Document and track equipment downtime accurately (bonus is tied to downtime metrics)

• Identify and recommend process improvements during available time between scheduled maintenance

• Occasionally travel to the Bensenville, IL facility (~30 min) to provide maintenance support as needed

• Contribute ideas for future CAPEX projects and equipment upgrades

Equipment You'll Work With

Production (Wheeling - Cracker Line):

• 70' tunnel oven (1 meter wide)

• 3-head sheeters, conveyor belts

• Oil sprayer

• Topping systems

• Refrigeration

• Mixers and extruders

Packaging:

• Horizontal over-wrappers

• Vertical fill machine

• Labelers and shrink wrappers

• Air compressors

Bensenville Facility (occasional support):

• Rack ovens

• Refrigeration and HVAC systems

• Slicing and custom-built machinery

• Dough lines, forklifts, mixers, extruders

• Horizontal flow wrappers and shrink wrappers

Required Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with pneumatic systems, electrical maintenance, and gas-burning ovens

• Experience working with Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) - note: no PLCs in this environment

• Proven ability to diagnose and repair mechanical issues quickly and independently

• Comfortable working with outside vendors and contractors

• Strong documentation habits - tracking and reporting downtime is a key part of this role

• Ability to work a flexible schedule including cross-shift coverage (primary shift: 12pm–8pm)

• Food manufacturing or food & beverage industry experience preferred

• Must be willing to occasionally travel to the Bensenville, IL facility

Compensation & Benefits

Note: Total compensation of $80,000–$100,000+ reflects base salary + profit sharing + performance bonus combined.

• Total compensation: $80,000–$100,000+ (base salary + profit sharing + performance bonus)

• Bonus structure tied to downtime reduction metrics

• 401(k) plan

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance - available after 90-day waiting period; company pays 50%

• Up to 3 weeks of paid vacation (tenure-based)

Schedule & Reporting Structure

• Primary shift: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM (with flexibility to overlap into 3rd shift)

• Schedule may be 4 days per week with flex coverage as production demands require

• 24-hour operation - occasional off-shift support may be needed

• Reports to: Production Manager, Wheeling, IL facility