James Blagrave

Orangeville,PA

Summary

Results-driven Industrial Maintenance Specialist with 18+ years of experience in high-volume food manufacturing. Proven leadership in team coordination, equipment optimization, and cross-functional collaboration. Known for mentoring junior technicians, leading shutdown projects, and maintaining high standards of safety and efficiency. Seeking a Reliability Lead position at The Hershey Company to leverage technical expertise and leadership capabilities to drive operational excellence and team development.

Overview

years of professional experience

Work History

Industrial Maintenance Mechanic / Seamer Specialist

Big Heart Pet Brands

Bloomsburg, PA

01.2008 - Current

Lead technician responsible for maintaining and optimizing high-speed production equipment in a pet food manufacturing environment.
Filled in for Team Lead, managing team (8 employees) coordination, inventory, and production continuity.
Led multiple shutdown project teams, ensuring timely completion and cross-departmental collaboration on each project.
Trained and mentored junior technicians, promoting a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous learning.
Managed inventory and procurement for wastewater operations, including chemicals, spare parts, and equipment.
Ran the wastewater department independently during previous lead's medical leave.
Conducted precision tooling adjustments and double seam evaluations to ensure product quality and compliance.
Rebuilt critical components such as gearboxes and pumps.
Collaborated with cross-functional teams to troubleshoot mechanical and electrical issues, minimizing downtime.
Recognized for initiative, reliability, and ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
Diagnosed and repaired mechanical issues in production equipment to minimize downtime.
Performed routine maintenance on machinery, ensuring optimal performance and reliability.
Conducted safety inspections to ensure compliance with industry regulations and standards.
Developed preventive maintenance schedules, enhancing operational efficiency across production lines.
Performed root cause analysis for recurring equipment failures, driving long-term solutions.
Completed welding projects using MIG, TIG, SMAW techniques to fabricate brackets or make structural repairs as needed during machine overhauls.
Performed regular inspections and regularly lubricated machinery.
Operated hoists, cranes and power tools to disassemble devices and remove defective parts.
Maintained accurate records of all maintenance activities performed, providing valuable data for future planning purposes.
Decreased system leaks by inspecting hydraulic lines and replacing worn components, improving overall equipment performance.
Collaborated with engineering team to implement new equipment installations, ensuring proper alignment and functionality.
Reduced downtime with proactive monitoring of equipment performance and scheduling routine maintenance tasks.

Automotive Technician

Mike's Tire and Auto Center

09.2004 - 01.2008

Diagnosed and repaired automotive systems, enhancing vehicle performance and safety.
Conducted routine maintenance checks, ensuring compliance with industry standards.
Handled customer interactions, providing clear explanations of services and repair recommendations.
Maintained a clean and organized work environment, demonstrating pride in personal workspace while contributing to overall shop cleanliness.
Completed full vehicle inspections to check for leaks, damage, or other issues of concern.
Inspected and tested vehicles and completed preventive maintenance such as engine tune-ups, oil changes, tire rotations, wheel balancing, and filter replacement.
Troubleshot and diagnosed faults with vehicle systems and components using OEM-specific code readers, diagnostic trees, and online knowledge bases.
Performed safety inspections.

Education

High School Diploma/ Skill Certificate - Automotive Technology

Columbia Montour Vocational Technical School