Mechanical Technician

K'UL FOODS LLC

Bellingham, WA

Pay: $29-$34/hr

Shift: Full time

ABOUT THE COMPANY

K'UL Chocolate is a mission-driven chocolate manufacturer that focuses on empowering people and communities through direct trade relationships. The company partners with women’s cooperatives in the Dominican Republic and Peru, supporting farmers who grow and harvest organic cacao for high-quality bean-to-bar chocolate. K'UL invests in women by paying cooperatives directly, creating greater economic opportunities for families and communities. Through organizational and financial support, international education exchange, and collaboration with regional governments, K'UL helps cooperatives achieve organic certification and sustainable growth. Chocolate is used as a tool for social change, aligning daily operations with a strong social impact mission.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We're a growing specialty chocolate manufacturer looking for a skilled, self-driven maintenance technician to own the reliability and compliance of our production equipment and multi-building facility. This is a hands-on role with real ownership — you'll maintain chocolate processing equipment, manage facility systems, support our SQF program, and be a key part of keeping production running safely and efficiently.

WHAT YOU'LL OWN

• Execute all scheduled preventive maintenance and corrective repairs across mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems
• Maintain and troubleshoot chocolate processing equipment: mills, conches, depositors, roasters, pumps, water-jacketed piping, and depositor systems
• Monitor and service facility utilities: HVAC, compressed air, plumbing, wastewater, and grease trap systems
• Manage facility condition across six buildings — floors, walls, ceilings, exterior grounds, overhead ductwork, roll-up doors, and structural integrity
• Inspect and maintain PLC/control systems (Siemens, Allen Bradley) and automation equipment
• Execute lubrication schedules for conveyors, motors, weigh scales, and motion devices
• Manage the calibration program for scales, temperature devices, and roasting equipment
• Manage air handling unit filter changes, mag trap inspections, and glass/brittle plastics program
• Document all work orders, findings, and maintenance activities in ERP/CMMS
• Maintain spare parts inventory accuracy and reorder proactively
• Schedule and oversee external contractors; document all interactions and outcomes
• Support SQF certification, FDA, and organic audit preparation — ensure documentation is current and accessible
• Manage chemical inventory, sharps/knife program, and LOTO compliance
• Respond to equipment breakdowns outside normal hours as needed
• Identify and implement improvements to equipment reliability, uptime, and operating cost

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

• Preventive maintenance completion ≥ 95%
• Utility system uptime ≥ 98%
• Zero maintenance-related food safety incidents
• 100% work order documentation accuracy
• Measurable reduction in unplanned downtime and repeat equipment failures

WHAT YOU BRING

• 5+ years of maintenance experience in food manufacturing, pharmaceutical, or a similar regulated environment
• Hands-on proficiency with mechanical, electrical (single and three-phase), pneumatic, and hydraulic systems
• Experience reading and updating schematics, P&IDs, and electrical drawings
• Working knowledge of PLCs and control systems — Siemens preferred
• CMMS or ERP experience
• Strong working knowledge of GMPs, SQF standards, and LOTO procedures
• Current forklift operator certification, or ability to obtain
• Technical degree or certification preferred
• Current drivers license
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable working independently across a multi-building facility

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Pay. range: $28.00-32.00 per hour DOE
• Health Stipend
• 401(k)
• PTO
• Tools provided

Pay: $28.64 - $34.22 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Tuition reimbursement

Work Location: In person