Intern - Seasonal

At Lakeside Foods and our family of companies, we're committed to providing wholesome foods to enrich people's lives through food. We are a culture that pursues our vision of growth and innovation with passion, confidence, and commitment. We are strongest together - valuing collaborative contribution, transparency and new ideas to enable change and growth. We are committed to an inclusive and respectful environment that promotes a healthy work-life balance, and there's a seat at the table for you.

GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Plant Assistant Maintenance Intern helps with routine maintenance and repair of equipment in a high-volume plant environment. This role requires expertise technical skills in operating, maintaining, and repairing a wide range of plant equipment, during production or during the non-production - whichever is appliable.

There is a strong focus on safety, food safety and operational efficiency needs.

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Equipment Maintenance & Repair

• Assist with diagnostics, repairs, and preventative maintenance on a wide range of plant equipment-including conveyors, shakers, pumps, motors/gear boxes, bean cutters, bean snippers, and general machinery.
• Work safely and efficiently, adhering to OSHA regulations and company safety standards.
• Achieve comprehension on food safety requirements & food safety practices that are necessities for the food processing operation.
• Assist maintenance in addressing all potential areas of production deficiency, guarding deficiencies and food safety deficiencies.
• Assist mechanics in all maintenance activities in accordance with plant policies, safety procedures, and operational protocols.
• Help with the optimal performance and minimal downtime of all plant mechanical systems.
• Assist mechanics with major repairs, overhauls, and rebuilds of critical plant equipment and infrastructure.

Operational Efficiency & Continuous Improvement

• Troubleshoot basic equipment failures and implement sustainable solutions to improve reliability and reduce downtime.
• Work alongside plant operation teams to streamline equipment layout, workflow, and improve mechanical performance.
• Assist mechanics with planning and execution of capital projects, equipment upgrades, and integration of new technologies.
• Complete accurate maintenance logs, work orders, and equipment history to support data-driven decision-making and asset management.

Tool & Inventory Management

• Maintain a complete set of industrial tools and ensure proper calibration and safety.
• Assist with tracking inventory of parts and supplies; assist with procurement and vendor coordination.

Safety & Compliance

• Uphold and enforce all Lakeside Foods safety & food-safety policies, along with procedures.
• Lead by example in maintaining a clean, organized, and hazard-free work environment.
• Promote a culture of safety, food-safety, communication, and continuous improvement.
• Notify management immediately of any unsafe or potentially hazardous conditions.

Other Responsibilities:

• Adhere to all Lakeside Foods policies and procedures.
• Maintain work area in a clean and orderly manner.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Supervisor or Manager.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or GED preferred - OR be in process of completion within 6 months.
• Mechanical aptitude with an intermediate to high skill set.
• Strong interest in equipment repair & modification.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a valid Forklift License.

Skills & Abilities

• Vast experience working with tools or machinery.
• Maintenance-related vocational training or technical school coursework preferred.
• OSHA 10/30--Willing to obtain certification through on-site training.

TEAMWORK AT LAKESIDE (TAL):

• Be able to work with others in a team-related environment in a fast-paced environment when required.
• Be able to learn and take direction from Senior Maintenance on the details of our equipment & operational functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee is occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25-50 pounds, occasionally up to 100 pounds, with the assistance of a co-worker.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be excessive during certain production activities or when using certain tools & equipment.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may work near moving mechanical parts & in adverse conditions.

Lakeside Foods and our family of companies welcomes people of all backgrounds and the varied ideas they bring to the workplace. Being an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer is part of our heritage and culture. We recruit, hire and promote employees based on qualifications and merit, without regard to race, religion, age, gender, disability, marital or veteran status. Lakeside Foods participates in E-Verify.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities