Maintenance Subject Matter Expert (SME)-… at Mark Anthony… · Waddell

Mark Anthony Group is an entrepreneurial drinks company, built from the ground up by thinking differently, innovating and doing the unexpected. Our company is rooted in family values, a bold vision and relentless determination to continuously raise the bar and make a positive difference in consumers' lives. Founded in 1972, we’ve grown organically from a one-person import wine business into an international drinks company whose hallmarks include a portfolio of luxury wineries and iconic beverage brands, including White Claw® Hard Seltzer, Mike’s Hard Lemonade, andCayman Jack.

Role Purpose:

The Maintenance Subject Matter Expert (SME)-Packer provides in-depth technical expertise in a specialized focus area: Packer Operations. The SME owns the processes, drives reliability and efficiency improvements, and serves as a key resource for solving complex problems. This role ensures safe, high-quality, and efficient operations by leading troubleshooting efforts, developing standards and best practices, mentoring technicians, and driving continuous improvement initiatives in partnership with not only cross-functional but also cross-departmental teams. Serves as the technical owner for all secondary packaging systems including tray packers and carton packers.

Accountabilities & Impact:

Technical Expertise

• Act as the technical authority for all packaging equipment.
• Develop expertise in tray forming, carton erection, product handling, case packing, palletizing, and stretch wrapping systems.
• Lead troubleshooting efforts related to package quality, machine jams, fallen product faults, package rejects, and material handling failures.
• Establish equipment centerlines and optimized machine settings for packaging systems.

Process Improvement

• Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives to eliminate recurring issues and production bottlenecks.
• Collaborate with reliability and engineering teams to execute projects focused on enhancing performance, efficiency, and safety.
• Actively participate in Root Cause Analysis (RCA), overhaul planning, and line improvement initiatives.
• Leads OR Co-Leads all Kaizen/RCA events related to equipment centers they are considered SME over.
• Document and implement OEM recommendations, ensuring consistent application across teams.
• Lead initiatives to reduce packaging defects, material waste, and packaging downtime.
• Drive improvements in package quality, throughput, and machine reliability.
• Support material optimization efforts to reduce corrugate, film, and packaging material losses.
• Perform other various job duties as required.

Training & Mentorship

• Train and mentor technicians, operators, and peers on technical standards, troubleshooting methods, and operator-based care. (Train the Trainer certification required)
• Support skill development within the maintenance team to build multi-craft capabilities.
• Assess and validate skills for Best in Craft certifications and internal training programs.
• Model respect by standing up for others and fostering an inclusive environment where every team member feels valued.
• Raise others up by seeing their strengths, encouraging growth, and inspiring them to be their best selves both personally and professionally.
• Train technicians and operators on troubleshooting packaging systems, machine setup, format changeovers, and centerline adherence.

Project Support

• Provide technical leadership on capital projects, upgrades, and installations.
• Partner with planners to improve Preventive Maintenance (PM) programs and reliability strategies.
• Ensure project results are documented and integrated into standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Create new SOPs where none exist to ensure consistency, clarity, and sustainable best practices.
• Update and audit Centerlines
• Support packaging equipment installations, upgrades, and optimization projects.
• Partner with engineering during packaging system modifications and capital projects.

Safety & Compliance

• Model and enforce all safety, food safety, and GMP requirements.
• Ensure adherence to OSHA, EPA, and internal safety/environmental standards.
• Lead by example in proper use of PPE, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), and all other safe work practices.

Equipment Ownership & Governance

• Own equipment centerlines and maintenance standards.
• Approve technical changes impacting assigned equipment.
• Maintain equipment-specific training materials.
• Lead annual maintenance strategy reviews.
• Own critical spare parts strategy and recommendations.
• Serve as the site's primary technical escalation resource for assigned equipment.

Skills & Experiences Needed:

• High school diploma or equivalent required; technical certification, Associate’s, or higher degree preferred.
• 3–5 years of industrial maintenance or reliability engineering experience in packer operations.
• Strong mechanical and electrical troubleshooting skills, including PLCs, VFDs, and instrumentation.
• Proficient in interpreting schematics, process diagrams, and OEM manuals.
• Skilled in CMMS systems & MS Office.
• Minimum Maintenance Tech 2 Level (BIC)
• No written warning or higher-level corrective action on file for last 12 months

The Maintenance Subject Matter Expert (SME) position is well-suited for you if you have:

• Zero OSHA violations, recordable accidents, or lost-time incidents.
• 92% “wrench time” and timely completion of PMs.
• 100% completion of required documentation and work orders.
• Demonstrated reduction of recurring downtime through implemented solutions.
• Contribution to technician skills growth and knowledge transfer.
• Demonstrate calculable team growth through mentoring others in process improvement projects and achieving documentable OEE improvements within our Best in Craft model.
• Reduction in packaging-related downtime.
• Improved package quality metrics.
• Reduced material waste.
• Faster and more consistent changeovers.
• Increased packaging OEE.

Working conditions:

• This position is exposed to occupational hazards, including but not limited to, high noise levels, physical obstacles, exposure to chemicals, etc.

• Subject to extreme heat/cold temperatures

• Must have sufficient endurance to perform tasks over long periods of time.

• Fast-paced and constantly changing work environment.

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

• Ability to stand/move 8-12 hours per day.

• Ability to ascend/descend stairs/ladders throughout shift.

• Fine motor skills and dexterity for manipulation

• Must wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including (but not limited to) bump cap, safety steel toe shoes, safety glasses, dust masks or PAPRs.

• Must adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).

This position has been identified as a safety sensitive position within the state of Arizona.

At Mark Anthony, we exist to Unearth the Extraordinary:

Our Purpose is not just a statement; it is a call to action that binds us together and ignites our passion for making a difference. It is the driving force behind why we do what we do every single day, connecting our global organization across all business units, roles, and locations. We are:

Best in Our CraftWe set the standard with a pursuit of excellence that can be found in everything from our products and processes to our plants and people.​

Ambitiously CuriousWe stay curious, dreaming big and navigating the unknown with an enduring belief in better.​​

Made With HumilityWe bring humility, authenticity, fun, and support to every collaboration and celebrate wins as a team.

Daringly DisruptiveWe disrupt the status quo, moving fast to seize opportunities and acting scrappy ​to stay ahead of industry giants.​