Maintenance Technician

Location: Sycamore, IL
At Tate & Lyle, our purpose is simple: Transforming Lives Through the Science of Food.

With more than 165 years of innovation, we partner with the world's leading food and beverage brands to create healthier, tastier, and more sustainable products enjoyed by millions every day. Our employees play a vital role in helping customers succeed while making a positive impact on people, communities, and the planet.

We're looking for a skilled and motivated Maintenance Technician to join our Sycamore, Illinois team. If you're passionate about troubleshooting equipment, solving technical challenges, and working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, we'd love to hear from you.

About the Role

The Maintenance Technician plays a critical role in supporting our blending and packaging operations by maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing production and facility equipment. This hands-on position works closely with production teams to maximize equipment reliability, minimize downtime, and ensure safe, efficient plant operations.

In addition to performing maintenance activities, the Maintenance Technician assists with parts management, component standardization, inventory control, and continuous improvement initiatives throughout the facility.

What You'll Do:

Equipment Maintenance & Troubleshooting

• Troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair equipment failures involving mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems.
• Disassemble, rebuild, and replace defective components including motors, gearboxes, bearings, conveyors, and electrical equipment.
• Reassemble machinery and perform final adjustments to ensure proper operation.
• Repair and maintain blenders, fillers, conveyors, packaging equipment, and other production machinery.
• Calibrate and maintain sensors, controls, scales, metal detectors, and other electronic instruments.
• Perform preventive and predictive maintenance activities.

Facility & Utility Support

• Inspect, maintain, and repair facility systems including pumps, valves, chillers, compressors, and power distribution equipment.
• Work closely with production personnel to address equipment issues and improve reliability.
• Assist outside contractors during maintenance projects and facility upgrades.
• Support maintenance planning and spare parts inventory management.

Continuous Improvement

• Respond effectively to equipment breakdowns, production interruptions, and emergency situations.
• Help identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability and operational efficiency.
• Maintain accurate maintenance documentation and work records.
• Keep work areas clean, organized, and audit-ready.

Our Commitment to Safety

At Tate & Lyle, protecting our people and the environment is foundational to our business.

Every team member is accountable for working safely, following all EHS requirements, and supporting a culture where everyone can stop unsafe work. Employees are expected to actively support our:

• Life Saving Principles (LSPs)
• STOP Work Authority
• Environmental, Health, Safety, Quality, and Food Safety programs
• Lockout/Tagout (Lock, Tag, Try) procedures
• Confined Space Entry programs
• Hot Work permitting processes
• Hazard identification and risk reduction initiatives

Safety Responsibilities

• Follow all EHSQS policies, procedures, and work instructions.
• Report spills, equipment malfunctions, hazards, environmental concerns, or unsafe conditions.
• Participate in required inspections, audits, and safety monitoring activities.
• Support safe work permitting systems and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Demonstrate and promote safe behaviors throughout the facility.

What We're Looking For:

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of manufacturing maintenance experience or demonstrated proficiency through an industrial maintenance training program.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision.
• Commitment to workplace safety and food safety standards.

Preferred Experience

Candidates with experience in the following areas are strongly encouraged to apply:

• Food manufacturing
• Packaging operations
• Industrial automation
• Pneumatics and hydraulics
• Electrical troubleshooting
• Preventive maintenance systems
• Conveyor systems
• Industrial instrumentation and controls

Skills & Knowledge

• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, schematics, wiring diagrams, and technical manuals.
• Strong troubleshooting and diagnostic abilities.
• Mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic maintenance experience.
• Basic computer proficiency.
• Forklift operation experience and willingness to complete on-site certification.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Understanding of proper tool use and maintenance practices.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and respond effectively to changing production needs.

What Makes You Successful

We're looking for someone who:

• Demonstrates a strong safety mindset.
• Is comfortable speaking up when unsafe conditions exist.
• Works collaboratively with production, maintenance, and leadership teams.
• Is dependable, punctual, and accountable.
• Is self-motivated and able to manage priorities independently.
• Has a continuous improvement mindset.
• Maintains a high level of professionalism and integrity.

Physical Requirements

This position is physically demanding and requires the ability to:

• Stand and walk for extended periods.
• Frequently bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, and reach.
• Climb stairs, ladders, and elevated work platforms.
• Work at heights when required.
• Lift, carry, push, and pull maintenance tools, equipment, and parts.
• Distinguish colors and adjust visual focus for troubleshooting and equipment inspection.
• Work safely around moving machinery and production equipment.

Work Environment

This position is performed primarily in a manufacturing environment and may involve exposure to:

• Moving mechanical equipment
• Dust and airborne particles
• Noise and vibration
• Temperature fluctuations
• Humidity and outdoor weather conditions
• Production and utility systems
• The role also includes occasional administrative and computer-based work in an office setting.

Tate & Lyle complies with all local/state regulations requiring salary range transparency.

When determining final compensation, we take into consideration: skillset, job scope, knowledge, prior experience, cost of living, market data, budget availability, and other factors as permitted by law.

The pay range for this position is $30.68 - $40.19 per hour and will be determined based on the candidate's experience, qualifications, and overall skill set. We are hiring for 2nd shift (1:30-10:00 pm) which offers a $1.00 shift premium, and 3rd shift (9:30 pm-6:00 am) which offers a $1.50 shift premium.

In addition to competitive pay, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that includes but is not limited to:

• Medical, Dental, Vision coverages
• Paid time off package, including vacation, sick time, and 16 weeks of paid parental leave
• 401K with company match
• Company paid life insurance
• Additional benefits at no cost to employees such as: Lifestyle Spending Account, Identity Theft protection, Employee Assistance Program, telemedicine and more!

In addition to your Total Rewards, culture and ED&I are very important to Tate & Lyle.  We offer multiple Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) that support various communities.

Why Tate & Lyle?

When you join Tate & Lyle, you're joining a company that is transforming the future of food through innovation, collaboration, and purpose. You'll have opportunities to grow your career, develop new skills, and contribute to meaningful work that impacts millions of consumers worldwide.

If you're ready to bring your maintenance expertise to a world-class manufacturing operation, we encourage you to apply today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all employees are treated with respect and dignity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

California Consumer Privacy Act ("CCPA")

The Company is committed to complying with the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”) and all data privacy and laws in the jurisdictions in which it recruits and hires employees. We collect the following categories of personal information for the purpose of hiring the best qualified applicants and to comply with applicable employment laws: Name and contact information; Job preference and work availability; Social Security Number and/or other identification information; Education and qualifications; Employment history and experience; Military service; Reference and background check information, including relevant criminal history and credit history; Social media information; Pre-employment test results; Post-offer medical examination information and results, including drug test results; Voluntary self-disclosure information regarding minority, veteran, and disability status; and Information provided by you during the hiring process.

Tate & Lyle is an equal opportunity employer, committed to the strength of an inclusive workforce.