Equipment Maintenance
Equipment Maintenance refers to the regular care and upkeep of kitchen and food service equipment in food trucks and restaurants. This includes checking, cleaning, and repairing things like grills, fryers, refrigerators, and food prep machines. It's important because it helps prevent breakdowns during busy service times, ensures food safety, and makes equipment last longer. Think of it like taking care of a car - regular oil changes and tune-ups prevent bigger problems later. In food service, proper maintenance also helps pass health inspections and keeps operating costs down.
Examples in Resumes
Performed daily Equipment Maintenance on all food truck cooking and refrigeration systems
Developed and implemented Equipment Maintenance schedules that reduced breakdowns by 50%
Trained staff on proper Equipment Maintenance procedures for kitchen equipment
Typical job title: "Equipment Maintenance Technicians"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Equipment Maintenance Technicians
Professional Associations
Online Resources
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you develop a preventive maintenance program for a fleet of food trucks?
Expected Answer: A senior technician should explain creating maintenance schedules, tracking equipment life cycles, training staff, and implementing inspection checklists. They should mention cost-saving benefits and compliance with health regulations.
Q: How do you handle emergency repairs during peak service hours?
Expected Answer: Should discuss prioritization, quick diagnostic methods, having backup equipment ready, and maintaining relationships with reliable parts suppliers and repair services.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What's your process for troubleshooting a malfunctioning commercial refrigerator?
Expected Answer: Should describe systematic checking of common issues like temperature settings, door seals, compressor function, and knowing when to call in specialized help.
Q: How do you ensure equipment meets health code requirements?
Expected Answer: Should mention regular cleaning schedules, temperature monitoring, maintenance logs, and familiarity with local health department regulations.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What daily maintenance tasks do you perform on kitchen equipment?
Expected Answer: Should list basic cleaning, checking temperatures, inspecting parts for wear, and reporting problems to supervisors.
Q: How do you properly clean and maintain a commercial grill?
Expected Answer: Should describe daily cleaning procedures, proper cleaning products to use, and basic maintenance like checking gas connections and temperature controls.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-1 years)
- Basic equipment cleaning and sanitizing
- Simple maintenance tasks
- Following maintenance checklists
- Basic safety procedures
Mid (1-3 years)
- Troubleshooting common equipment problems
- Preventive maintenance procedures
- Health code compliance
- Basic repairs and parts replacement
Senior (3+ years)
- Complex equipment repair
- Maintenance program development
- Staff training and supervision
- Budget management for repairs and maintenance
Red Flags to Watch For
- No knowledge of food safety regulations
- Unable to perform basic equipment cleaning
- No experience with commercial kitchen equipment
- Poor understanding of preventive maintenance importance
