Work Preference
Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Core Technical Skills
Timeline
Open To Work

NICHOLAS GARDNER

Work Preference

Job Search Status

Open to work

Work Type

Full Time

Location Preference

On-SiteRemoteHybrid

Summary

Senior-level Industrial Maintenance Technician with 6+ years of experience supporting high-speed plastic injection molding, blow molding, and metal beverage packaging operations. Proven night-shift leader supervising technicians while maximizing uptime, reducing scrap, and maintaining safe, reliable production. Extensive hands-on experience with Husky injection molding machines, Sidel blow molders, Nidec Minster and Schuler presses, Stolle body makers and decorators, and automated conveying/packaging systems.

Results-driven Industrial Technician with sound knowledge of equipment lubrication, contamination control, inspection and proactive maintenance activities for industrial mechanical systems. Maintained cost-effective standards with accountability, integrity and knowledge. History of success in demanding environments.

Overview

13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Industrial Maintenance Technician III / Lead (Night Shift)

Amcor Rigid Plastics
Denver
01.2023 - Current
  • Lead and supervise a night-shift maintenance team of 3 technicians supporting high-volume plastic injection molding and blow molding manufacturing operations.
  • Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair Husky injection molding machines and Sidel blow mold machines, ensuring consistent production, quality, and uptime.
  • Support downstream packaging systems including Zecchetti air conveyors and New England bottle unscramblers.
  • Serve as primary responder to production downtime, diagnosing failures across molding, conveying, and packaging equipment to rapidly restore line operation.
  • Perform advanced mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electromechanical troubleshooting on presses, blow molders, conveyors, and auxiliary systems.
  • Execute and continuously improve preventive maintenance programs, including lubrication routes, hydraulic inspections, cooling circuits, heaters, thermocouples, dryers, chillers, and material handling equipment.
  • Support mold changeovers, line startups, shutdowns, and off-shift production runs, ensuring equipment readiness and process stability.
  • Conduct root cause failure analysis (RCFA) on recurring equipment and process issues; implement permanent corrective actions.
  • Drive scrap reduction initiatives by recycling scrap and reusing clean scrap material, reducing material waste and manufacturing costs.
  • Troubleshoot PLC-controlled equipment and perform basic diagnostics; assist with limited VFD adjustments and replacements per established procedures.
  • Enforce LOTO, OSHA, and plant safety standards, maintaining a strong safety culture on night shift.
  • Train and mentor technicians on equipment operation, troubleshooting techniques, and PM standards.
  • Maintain accurate CMMS documentation for work orders, PMs, downtime events, and corrective actions.

Industrial Maintenance Technician / Manufacturing Technician

Ball Metal Beverage Container
Golden
01.2021 - 01.2023
  • Maintained, troubleshot, and repaired high-speed metal beverage can manufacturing equipment.
  • Performed maintenance and mechanical troubleshooting on Nidec Minster DAC-H165 cupping presses, Schuler presses, and associated press automation systems.
  • Maintained and supported Stolle body makers and decorators, ensuring consistent can quality, line speed, and production efficiency.
  • Responded to unplanned downtime events, diagnosing mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic failures to restore production quickly.
  • Executed preventive and corrective maintenance, including lubrication routes, press inspections, component replacement, and adjustments.
  • Assisted with die changeovers, line startups, shutdowns, and planned outages.
  • Supported scrap reduction and quality improvement initiatives by identifying equipment-related defects and process issues.
  • Followed strict LOTO and OSHA safety procedures while working around high-speed presses and rotating equipment.
  • Documented maintenance activities and repairs using CMMS.

Concrete Cutter / Equipment Operator

Hillen Corp
Commerce City
01.2018 - 01.2021
  • Operated and maintained industrial cutting equipment.
  • Performed inspections and minor mechanical repairs to minimize downtime.
  • Followed strict safety procedures in high-risk environments.

Millwright / Industrial Maintenance Technician

Millwright Local 1607
01.2015 - 01.2018
  • Installed, repaired, and maintained industrial machinery including motors, pumps, conveyors, turbines, and rotating equipment.
  • Performed precision alignment, sole plate installation, and equipment leveling.
  • Troubleshot mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems during outages and emergency repairs.
  • Utilized rigging, hoisting equipment, and power tools to safely position heavy machinery.

Drill Rig Oiler / Maintenance Support

LMS Drilling Inc.
Brighton
01.2013 - 01.2015
  • Conducted daily inspections, lubrication, and routine maintenance on heavy drilling equipment.
  • Identified mechanical issues early and supported corrective repairs.
  • Maintained inspection and maintenance documentation.

Construction Laborer / Carpenter

Pinkard Construction

Electrical Apprentice

Candle Light Electric

Warehouse & Production Worker

Solid Image Printing

Education

Business Coursework -

Front Range Community College, Westminster, CO

GED -

Ralston Valley High School, Arvada, CO

Skills

  • Plastic Injection & Blow Molding Equipment
  • Metal Beverage Can Manufacturing Equipment
  • Husky Injection Molding Machines
  • Sidel Blow Mold Machines
  • Nidec Minster DAC-H165 Cupping Presses
  • Schuler Presses
  • Stolle Body Makers & Decorators
  • Zecchetti Air Conveyor Systems
  • New England Bottle Unscramblers
  • Preventive & Corrective Maintenance (PMs)
  • Mechanical, Hydraulic & Pneumatic Systems
  • PLC Troubleshooting & Diagnostics
  • VFD Setup & Replacement (limited exposure)
  • Mold & Die Changeovers
  • Scrap Reduction & Material Reuse
  • Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA)
  • Lockout / Tagout (LOTO)
  • OSHA & Manufacturing Safety
  • CMMS Documentation
  • Team Leadership & Training
  • Equipment maintenance
  • Preventive maintenance
  • Mechanical troubleshooting
  • Team leadership
  • Safety compliance
  • Effective communication
  • Root cause analysis
  • Problem solving
  • Employee training
  • Time management
  • Quality assurance

Certification

OSHA 10

Core Technical Skills

  • Plastic Injection & Blow Molding Equipment
  • Metal Beverage Can Manufacturing Equipment
  • Husky Injection Molding Machines
  • Sidel Blow Mold Machines
  • Nidec Minster DAC-H165 Cupping Presses
  • Schuler Presses
  • Stolle Body Makers & Decorators
  • Zecchetti Air Conveyor Systems
  • New England Bottle Unscramblers
  • Preventive & Corrective Maintenance (PMs)
  • Mechanical, Hydraulic & Pneumatic Systems
  • PLC Troubleshooting & Diagnostics
  • VFD Setup & Replacement (limited exposure)
  • Mold & Die Changeovers
  • Scrap Reduction & Material Reuse
  • Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA)
  • Lockout / Tagout (LOTO)
  • OSHA & Manufacturing Safety
  • CMMS Documentation
  • Team Leadership & Training

Timeline

Industrial Maintenance Technician III / Lead (Night Shift) - Amcor Rigid Plastics
01.2023 - Current
Industrial Maintenance Technician / Manufacturing Technician - Ball Metal Beverage Container
01.2021 - 01.2023
Concrete Cutter / Equipment Operator - Hillen Corp
01.2018 - 01.2021
Millwright / Industrial Maintenance Technician - Millwright Local 1607
01.2015 - 01.2018
Drill Rig Oiler / Maintenance Support - LMS Drilling Inc.
01.2013 - 01.2015
Construction Laborer / Carpenter - Pinkard Construction
Electrical Apprentice - Candle Light Electric
Warehouse & Production Worker - Solid Image Printing
Front Range Community College - Business Coursework,
Ralston Valley High School - GED,
NICHOLAS GARDNER