Working Foreman / Maintenance Mechanic

Who are we? At Reed, we create what’s next – where others see challenges, we see opportunities to deliver smart, safe, and sustainable solutions that boost productivity and performance for our customers. From surface preparation to building products and filtration, our innovative technologies and services help customers get better results, faster. We partner with suppliers to create value from industrial co-products, transforming them into high-performance materials backed by unmatched industry expertise and service. When you work with Reed, you get more than a product – you get a performance advantage.

Job Description. The Working Foreman is a hands-on role responsible for supporting the daily operation and maintenance of the facility while providing lead-level coordination for site activities. This position performs mechanic and electrical maintenance, assists with preventive maintenance, and works alongside the production team to maintain safe and efficient operations. The Working Foreman helps to coordinate daily work activities, monitors equipment and operational conditions, and supports inventory, shipping, and reporting needs to ensure the plan operates effectively and meets quality and safety standards.

The ideal candidate will bring strong operational expertise, leadership presence, and a proactive mindset toward safety, quality and continuous improvement.

• Champion a safety-first culture across the plant.
• Conduct regular safety meetings, audits, and training sessions, ensuring all employees are prioritizing proper safety habits.
• Provide lead-level support by helping assign or coordinate daily work tasks for hourly team. 
• Work alongside production to support daily plant operations and maintain safe and efficient production flow. 
• Monitor equipment performance and operational conditions, identifying maintenance needs, safety concerns, or operational issues and reporting them to leadership. 
• Perform hands-on repair and maintenance of plant machinery and equipment, including mechanical and electrical systems such as motors, pumps, conveyors, elevators, electro-mechanical control systems, power equipment, and safety devices. 
• Troubleshoot equipment issues and complete repairs including welding, cutting steel, electrical component repair, and motor wiring as required. 
• Replace and maintain equipment components including belts, buckets, bearings, reducers, pulleys, and other drive parts. 
• Assist with scheduling and performing preventive maintenance activities to support equipment reliability and minimize downtime. 
• Assist in monitoring production-related inventories including supplies, spare parts, packaging, and other operational materials, and communicate needs for replenishment. 
• Support daily shipping and freight coordination activities, including assisting with product shipment schedules and ensuring outgoing products meet company quality standards and customer specifications. 
• Assist with routine purchasing needs for maintenance and operational supplies in accordance with company procedures. 
• Complete and maintain required documentation including maintenance logs, production records, safety documentation, and other operational reports as directed. 
• Support plant reporting activities, including assisting with preparation of production, maintenance, safety, and environmental documentation when needed. 
• Follow and reinforce company safety policies, procedures, and safe work practices, helping maintain a safe work environment for all employees. 
• May assist with training employees on equipment operation, maintenance procedures and safe work practices. 

• High School Diploma or Equivalent
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills
• Minimum of 3 – 5 years’ experience working as a plant maintenance technician with hands-on experience with bucket elevators, conveyors, and feeders
• Must be competent in electrical diagnosis using tools such as a multimeter, megger, etc.
• Experience with High Voltage (480v) and three phase motors
• Experience with drives / VFDs
• Welding, cutting, and light fabrication experience
• Must be able to read schematics
• An understanding of PLC’s is preferred
• Experience with troubleshooting fuel burners for dryers
• Must be able to operate a manlift, skid steer, and sky-track. Bonus points if able to competently operate a CAT 972/980 size loader
• Strong verbal, written, analytical, and persuasive skills
• Knowledge of OSHA, EPA, and environmental compliance standards
•  Proficient in MS Office Suite and ERP Systems, or the ability to quickly pick up new systems

This role requires regular presence on an active worksite. Some evening / weekend hours may be required based on production needs. Ability to lift up to 100 lbs occasionally and work in both indoor and outdoor plant conditions is required.