Maintenance - Packaging Machinist

Unilever is a global leader in consumer goods, renowned for its vast portfolio of brands that touch the lives of billions of people every day. Located in Hammond, Indiana, the Unilever facility is renowned as the largest soap manufacturing plant within the United States and is the proud home of the Dove Beauty Bar, one of the company’s most iconic and trusted brands. The Hammond site exemplifies Unilever's commitment to innovation, quality manufacturing, and sustainability, and serves as a vital production center that delivers approximately a billion bars of soap annually. This facility not only highlights Unilever’s dedication to beauty and confidence but also underscores its commitment to operational excellence and employee development within a unionized environment. The company embraces diversity and fosters an inclusive workplace culture that supports career growth and advancement opportunities across all functions.

The Maintenance / Packaging Machinist role at Unilever’s Hammond plant is a critical position tasked with ensuring the seamless operation, maintenance, and optimization of high-speed packaging machinery that supports Dove’s production demands. This full-time, rotating shift role offers a competitive starting pay rate of $39.49 per hour, with potential increases up to $44.14 following successful completion of training and probationary periods. Employees benefit from weekly pay periods and a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision insurance; 401K retirement plans; product purchase discounts through an onsite company store; tuition and fitness reimbursements; paid leaves; and more.

As a Maintenance / Packaging Machinist, you will operate with minimal supervision to coordinate, repair, install, inspect, and optimize packaging operations including equipment such as cartoners, case packers, conveyors, hydraulics, and pneumatics systems. A strong mechanical aptitude is essential as you will troubleshoot equipment issues and oversee mechanical changeovers to minimize downtime and maximize efficiency. Experience with hydraulic components like DCV valves, pneumatic cylinders, gearboxes, and drive systems is indispensable. While prior knowledge of programmable logic controllers (PLCs), frequency drives, and process controls is a valuable asset, it is not mandatory. The role demands manual dexterity and the physical capability to perform rigorous job tasks while adhering strictly to Good Manufacturing Practice and plant hygiene standards.

Your contributions are pivotal to maintaining Unilever’s standards for safety, quality, and productivity. Your responsibilities will span preventative maintenance routines with precise documentation, use of hand and power tools for machining or modifying parts, effective communication during shift handovers, and collaboration with cross-functional teams including management, operators, contractors, and suppliers. Safety is paramount, requiring vigilant compliance to protect yourself, your teammates, and the equipment. The role requires operation and movement of various lifting equipment such as forklifts and high lifts. Moreover, you'll play an active role in quality initiatives, lean manufacturing practices (such as SPC, TQM), and continuous learning to stay current with emerging technologies in your field. Training others and participating in the design and delivery of training programs will also be part of your responsibilities.

Overall, this position offers a rewarding career path within a globally recognized company dedicated to creating products that inspire confidence and meet the highest standards. Unilever promotes an inclusive hiring policy, supports veterans and persons with disabilities, and is committed to ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive and succeed. Joining the Unilever Hammond facility means becoming part of a community that values integrity, innovation, and continuous improvement while enjoying strong union support and a full range of employee benefits.