Job Description

At Russell Stover, not only do we love chocolate, but we love our jobs! Every day we go to work exhibiting our values of excellence, innovation, entrepreneurship, responsibility, and collaboration. Working at Russell Stover you’ll be part of the leading manufacturer of boxed, seasonal, and sugar-free chocolates. For over 100 years, Russell Stover Chocolates, Whitman’s, and Pangburn’s have been crafted with the finest ingredients to bring happiness to generations. Today, we produce over 55 million pounds of chocolate annually, and our legacy brands can be found in 13 company-owned stores and over 9,000 wholesale accounts. Join our team and let’s continue making chocolate lovers happy! 

A day in the life…

As a general maintenance lead, you will be in charge of leading everyday maintenance of the plant. This could include things like preventative maintenance on machinery, electrical equipment, HVAC, plumbing, etc.; troubleshooting and problem solving on a frequent basis, and paperwork pertaining to your area. Every new hire is assigned to a specific area of the plant and are then able to specialize in that specific area. You can also expect cross functional training within the department. Additional responsibilities of a lead will include directing, training, and assisting employees as well as ensuring your specific area remains safe, efficient, and up to quality standards. We have availability on both day and night shift. This application will be for both shifts. Your preference will be taken in to consideration. 

What you will be doing…

• Directs, controls, monitors, assists and trains employees assigned to a specific area, line or team per Supervisor’s instructions.
• Maintains records, delivers, inspects and performs all activities required of other members of the area, line or team.
• Must be able to communicate with and delegate tasks to team members.
• Troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining machinery and equipment.
• Performs equipment preventive maintenance services using appropriate checklists; inspects, analyzes and diagnoses all machine and assembly component problems and defects, using diagnostic equipment as required.
• Operates and maintains machinery, equipment and tools in a safe and proficient manner according to guidelines, standards and instructions.
• Sets up equipment, makes adjustments, and performs maintenance activities.
• Accounts for all labor, parts and operational supplies in an accurate and timely fashion.
• Wears personal protective equipment as required and provided by the company; wears appropriate uniform/clothing in accordance with GMP’s/company standards.
• Ensures safe and proper use of tools and equipment; ensures hand tools are free of defects; maintains neat and orderly work area, including proper storage/disposal of lubricants, solvents, paint and other chemicals in accordance with OSHA, EPA and other regulatory agencies and company policy.
• Create and manufacture parts and tools to support the maintenance of production equipment.
• Performs clean-up activities as assigned.
• Conforms to rules.
• May be assigned other jobs by plant management as required.

Do you have what it takes? 

(Basic Qualifications)

• Strong maintenance background with 3-5 years of relevant experience
• Mechanical aptitude/ Good Troubleshooter
• Must be able to read and understand blueprints, schematics, parts lists, and other equipment information.
• Experience with electrical, plumbing, lathes, mills, other shop equipment and basic building and grounds maintenance
• Understanding of relevant OSHA and HAZCOM regulations
• Proven record of dependability and high-quality standards

Do you stand above the rest?

(Preferred Qualifications)

• Production or Manufacturing experience preferred.
• Lead or supervisor experience

What it’s like at the Russell Stover Plants

• Safety. Your safety is important to us, so we provide protective gear. We also go through an in-depth Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) training on your first day and continue to share safety tips daily
• Surroundings. You’ll be working around different machines – Schubert’s, forklifts, electric pallet jacks, and chocolate candy banks/steels.
• Activity. Some activities may require standing in one place for long periods, walking around, or climbing stairs/ladders, and routinely lift 50 lbs.
• Temperature. You will be comfortable year-round with our climate-controlled environment. Our temperatures are consistently around 63°F but could fluctuate depending on your specific role.
• Smell. You will enjoy a variety of deliciously sweet aromas and you may end your day smelling like chocolate!
• Dress code. Relaxed, with a few rules to follow for food safety, personal safety and in guidance with our good manufacturing practices (GMP). Comfortable, closed-toe shoes are required. Leather, imitation leather, or rubber boots or shoes must be worn in the kitchen and other areas when working around hot liquid/product or hot water.

At Russell Stover Chocolates, we don’t just accept difference — we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our products, and our community. Russell Stover Chocolates is proud to be an equal-opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer.

We provide equal employment opportunities to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition, genetic information, military service, veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.

Employment by Russell Stover Chocolates is contingent upon I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification, passing the urinalysis drug screen, education verification, and satisfactory reference and background checks.

Make Happy. Work Happy.