Kevin Kinikin
Amarillo,TX
Summary
Experienced maintenance professional with a strong background in electrical troubleshooting, equipment repair, and predictive maintenance. Proven ability to support complex automation systems, calibrate sensors, and coordinate repairs. Focused on improving uptime, safety, and production performance.
Overview
1
1
Certification
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Automation Technician
Ryder
Amarillo, Texas
12.2024 - Current
- Diagnosed PLC, sensor, and HMI issues in automation equipment to restore functionality.
- Adjusted scanners, photo eyes, and sortation controls, ensuring dependable operation of automated systems.
- Helped resolve problems in automated systems with mechanical, electrical, and software parts.
- Repaired wiring, motors, drives, and switches on production systems.
- Repaired faulty motors, valves, actuators, and pumps.
- Calibrated sensors and related components in automated systems to improve accuracy and reliability.
- Completed preventive maintenance on automated systems and equipment to support performance.
- Assisted with preventive maintenance on material handling systems and electrical parts.
- Inspected Ryder automation lines to identify safety concerns and equipment wear.
- Supported troubleshooting for Ryder warehouse automation conveyors and control panels.
- Recorded maintenance work and shared issue updates with Ryder operations teams.
- Supported startup, shutdown, and testing tasks for warehouse automation equipment.
- Conducted tests on newly installed or modified automation systems prior to service entry.
- Trained operators on safe and effective use of automated equipment, enhancing their operational competency.
- Measured voltage, resistance, and current in electrical circuits to find operating issues and faults.
Maintenance Supervisor
Tyson Fresh Meats
Amarillo, Texas
07.2003 - 12.2024
- Supported maintenance crews for Tyson Fresh Meats production equipment and facility systems.
- Set preventive maintenance schedules for conveyors, motors, pumps, and processing machinery.
- Reviewed work orders, assigned tasks, set priorities, and allocated resources to ensure timely job completion.
- Planned repair and maintenance for machines, tools, and equipment to support continuous production.
- Diagnosed equipment faults and completed repairs to restore equipment and maintain uptime.
- Troubleshot electrical, mechanical, and refrigeration problems in meat processing operations.
- Checked equipment for safety, sanitation, and plant standard compliance.
- Supervised technicians during repair and installation of machines or systems per manufacturer specifications.
- Trained technicians on lockout/tagout, safe work practices, and equipment procedures.
- Monitored maintenance staff performance and provided guidance and coaching to enhance team efficiency.
- Worked with production teams to reduce downtime across Tyson Fresh Meats lines during repairs.
- Set up and coordinated preventive maintenance activities to support equipment reliability.
- Maintained stock of replacement parts to ensure machines operated smoothly.
- Managed spare parts inventory and maintenance supplies for plant repair needs.
- Inspected facilities to identify issues and schedule required maintenance.
- Scheduled emergency repairs as needed to limit disruption to production schedules.
- Created reports on machine downtime, root cause analysis, cost savings initiatives, and production efficiency metrics.
- Collected data for detailed reports to upper management and tracked equipment, tools, and system upgrades.
- Coordinated with external contractors for specialized maintenance projects.
- Directed maintenance activities to support steady heat, electric power, or gas supply for operations.
- Developed and applied safety procedures to support OSHA compliance.
- Gave positive reinforcement and constructive feedback for employees' work efforts.
- Helped train new hires on proper operation and maintenance methods for different machinery.
- Assisted operations staff with technical support to enhance equipment functionality. to operations staff to resolve complex equipment or process problems.
- Prepared and planned worksites to support smooth job flow.
- Inspected alarm systems and monitors for fire, carbon monoxide, and other safety levels.
- Provided leadership insight and mentoring to newly hired employees on company programs.
- Communicated with distributors to obtain required equipment for projects.
- Researched new products and services to strengthen the company’s competitiveness in the industry.
- Entered work orders in maintenance tracking systems and aligned tasks with daily shift priorities.
- Led the team in completing job tasks quickly and accurately with proper use of instruments and tools.
- Worked with vendors and suppliers to buy spare parts at competitive prices.
- Kept records of repairs and parts usage to improve future planning.
- Evaluated machines to ensure they met operational and safety compliance requirements. and equipment for operational standard compliance.
- Prepared and tracked the budget to ensure financial sustainability of the maintenance department.
- Prepared and planned worksites to support smooth job flow.
- Gave positive reinforcement and constructive feedback for employee work efforts.
- Communicated with distributors to obtain required equipment for projects.
Skills
- PLC troubleshooting and diagnostics
- HMI diagnostics
- Electrical troubleshooting
- Sensor calibration
- Variable frequency drives operation
- Servo motor control
- Conveyor control systems
- Troubleshooting techniques
- Maintenance strategies
- Equipment repair and management
- Work order coordination
- Inventory management
- Hydraulic expertise
- Critical thinking
- Predictive maintenance
- Servo motor control
- Team leadership
- Predictive maintenance
Certification
- CPR, Injury response and AED certified
- OSHA 10 license
Timeline
Automation Technician
Ryder
12.2024 - Current
Maintenance Supervisor
Tyson Fresh Meats
07.2003 - 12.2024