Arils Maintenance Lead

Company Description

From tree to table, POM Wonderful delivers a whole lot of healthy. Known for our iconic double-bubble bottle, we grow, harvest, package, and market fresh pomegranates, pomegranate arils, and a selection of delicious pomegranate-blended juices and teas. With over 9,000 acres in California’s Central Valley, POM Wonderful is committed to unleashing the antioxidant power of our handpicked pomegranates.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Arils Maintenance Lead is responsible for leading daily maintenance activities supporting high-speed Ready-to-Eat (RTE) food production operations including extraction, arils processing, packaging, utilities, and facility infrastructure. This role oversees preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs while providing technical leadership for troubleshooting PLC controls, electrical systems, hydraulics, pneumatics, automation equipment, conveyors, fillers, extraction equipment, and process utilities.

The Maintenance Lead is expected to drive equipment reliability, minimize downtime, support continuous improvement initiatives, maintain regulatory compliance, and develop maintenance personnel through coaching and technical training. This position works closely with Production, Quality, Engineering, Safety, and Capital Projects teams to achieve operational targets.

Compensation- $28 - $31. Final compensation will be dependent upon skills & experience.

Job Description

• Lead daily maintenance operations for extraction, arils processing, packaging, utilities, and facility systems while supporting production goals, minimizing downtime, and ensuring safe plant operations, including providing emergency unscheduled repairs.
• Perform and oversee troubleshooting, repair, installation, startup, alignment, maintenance, and reliability of mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, automated production equipment, conveyor systems, motors, pumps, gearboxes, compressed air systems, extraction equipment, fillers, sealers, compressors, utility systems, and other critical production and facility support infrastructure to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable plant operations.
• Troubleshoot PLC-controlled systems, HMIs, VFDs, motor controls, sensors, instrumentation, and automated equipment including high-voltage and low-voltage electrical systems (24VDC–480VAC).
• Develop, execute, and continuously improve Preventive Maintenance (PM), Predictive Maintenance (PdM), and Corrective Maintenance programs while utilizing CMMS for work order management, scheduling, documentation, and inventory tracking.
• Perform Root Cause Analysis (RCA), reliability initiatives, and continuous improvement activities focused on reducing equipment failures, improving uptime, increasing throughput, and lowering operational costs.
• Lead maintenance activities during harvest preparation, seasonal startup/shutdowns, capital projects, equipment installations, and contractor oversight while supporting facility expansion and improvement initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with GMP, HACCP, BRC, OSHA, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), food safety programs, and all company safety and regulatory requirements within a Ready-to-Eat (RTE) manufacturing environment.
• Train, mentor, and provide technical leadership to maintenance personnel while supporting workforce development, accountability, communication, and cross-functional collaboration with Production, Quality, Engineering, and Operations teams.
• Maintain accurate daily documentation including work orders, PM records, downtime tracking, maintenance logs, parts usage, shift pass-downs, and completion of required pre-operational and post-operational inspections to support equipment reliability, food safety compliance, and audit readiness

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

• Strong working knowledge of mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and automated production systems, including troubleshooting and repair within a high-speed food manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot PLC-controlled equipment, automation controls, HMIs, VFDs, instrumentation, load cells, sensors, motor controls, MCCs, and high-voltage/low-voltage electrical systems (24VDC–480VAC).
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, P&IDs, OEM manuals, and technical documentation to diagnose failures and implement corrective actions.
• Working knowledge of conveyor systems, conveyor alignment/tracking, motors, pumps, bearings, gearboxes, power transmission components, compressed air systems, and other critical production support equipment.
• Experience troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems, utilities, wastewater systems, and facility support equipment.
• Knowledge of welding and fabrication practices including TIG, MIG, stainless steel fabrication, equipment modifications, and installation of production equipment preferred.
• Experience utilizing Preventive Maintenance (PM), Predictive Maintenance (PdM), Root Cause Analysis (RCA), reliability methodologies, and CMMS or similar systems to improve equipment reliability, reduce downtime, and support maintenance planning.
• Proficient computer skills including Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Outlook, Word), maintenance reporting systems, work order management software, and electronic documentation systems.
• Knowledge of GMP, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), Confined space entry, food safety requirements, and regulatory compliance within a Ready-to-Eat (RTE) manufacturing environment.
• Excellent organizational, communication, leadership, and troubleshooting skills with the ability to perform basic math calculations, apply written and verbal instructions, work independently or within cross-functional teams, prioritize multiple tasks, solve problems in fast-paced environments.
• Ability to safely operate mobile equipment including forklifts, telehandlers, aerial lifts, scissor lifts, and other powered industrial equipment while maintaining required certifications and following company safety procedures.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Characteristics should include but not be limited to: being able to work with others; work efficiently with little or no supervision; understand and able to do basic math equations, speak the data that is being collected and open availability including evenings and weekends.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

High school diploma or a recognized equivalent such as a General Educational Development (GED) certificate and experience in a leading capacity, Technical training; exposure to high-speed equipment

2 years of related experience in packing machines/production machines.

Additional Information

POM's Dedication to You:

• Thriving Wellness Community: Access to top-notch medical coverage comprehensive vision and dental plans, and a 401k with match eligibility to secure your financial future and including:
  • 24/7 online physician consultations
  • virtual mental health resources
  • life coaching
  • engaging employee community groups
  • cash rewards for healthy habits and fitness reimbursements
  • library of on-demand fitness videos
• Career Advancement Opportunities: Unlock your potential with clear paths for career progression and internal mobility across our diverse family of brands and business units.
• Focused Learning and Development: Grow as a leader with our dedicated Learning and Organizational Development department, offering extensive resources like People Manager and leadership training, webinars, and eLearning courses.
• Empowering Mentorship Program: Connect with colleagues through our company-wide mentorship program to share goals, overcome challenges, and drive your career forward.
• Continuous Improvement Training: Participate in training that empowers all employees to learn and implement concepts that drive significant, positive change in the workplace.
• Building a Healthy Society: To date, our co-Founders Lynda and Stewart Resnick, through their foundations and The Wonderful Company, have invested more than $2.5 billion in education, health and wellness, community development, and sustainability initiatives across California’s Central Valley, Fiji, and the world. In 2025, Wonderful ranked as #1 in PEOPLE’s “100 Companies That Care” list and was named one of Fortune magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work For. To learn more about our corporate social responsibility efforts, visit csr.wonderful.com.
• Giving Back to the Community: Make a difference with Wonderful Giving, allowing you to allocate company-provided funds to up to three charities of your choice, and join Wonderful Neighbor to contribute to group service projects within our local communities.

POM Wonderful is the largest grower and producer of fresh pomegranates and pomegranate juice in the United States as well as the worldwide leader in fresh California pomegranates and pomegranate-based products, including our 100% pomegranate juices, healthy juice blends and teas. With nearly two million pomegranate trees in Central California, we grow, handpick and juice our own pomegranates to ensure the highest quality. Sold throughout the world and in the vast majority of North American retailers, our selection of products includes pomegranate-based juices and teas, fresh fruit when in season, and fresh arils.

POM Wonderful is part of The Wonderful Company, a successful, fast-growing privately held $6 billion company with 10,000 employees worldwide. The Wonderful Company’s connection to consumers has health at its heart and giving back in its DNA. The company has a long-standing commitment to corporate social responsibility, including more than $1 billion invested in environmental sustainability; $65 million in charitable giving, education initiatives, and innovative health and wellness programs each year; and $143 million toward the construction of two charter school campuses in California’s Central Valley. To view the current Corporate Social Responsibility report, visit csr.wonderful.com.

We’ve made Wonderful® Pistachios America’s fastest-growing snack brand. We’ve turned pomegranates and POM Wonderful® into a worldwide phenomenon. Wonderful Halos is the No. 1 mandarin orange in America. FIJI® Water is the No. 1 premium imported bottled water in America. JUSTIN® Wine produces California’s top-selling, high-end Cabernet Sauvignon. And Teleflora® is the world’s leading floral delivery service. To learn more about The Wonderful Company, its products and its core values, visit www.wonderful.com, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The Wonderful Company is an Equality Opportunity Employer that provides opportunities for advancement. We are committed to creating a diverse workforce that embodies a deep culture of acceptance, equity, and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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