Maintenance Technician

The Cato Corporation, a leading specialty retailer of value-priced women’s fashion apparel with corporate offices located in Charlotte, North Carolina, operates three concepts:
Cato, It’s Fashion and Versona. The Company has over 1,300 stores throughout the United States and a diverse workforce of over 7,500 associates. The Company’s stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol “CATO”.

We are seeking a skilled and dependable Maintenance Technician with experience in automated conveyor and sorter systems to support our Charlotte distribution center operations. This position is responsible for maintaining and troubleshooting Beumer NIT (New Integrated Tilt-Tray) sorter, conveyor systems, and associated material handling equipment. The ideal candidate is a hands-on technician with strong mechanical and electrical skills who takes pride in keeping equipment running safely and efficiently in a high-volume distribution environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Automated System & Equipment Maintenance

• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on Beumer sorter, conveyor systems, diverters, motors, photo-eyes, sensors, and controls.
• Troubleshoot electrical, mechanical, and pneumatic issues to minimize downtime and maintain consistent system performance.
• Monitor system operation, identify root causes of faults, and perform repairs or adjustments as needed.
• Conduct system inspections and ensure equipment is properly lubricated, aligned, and calibrated.

Technical Support & Collaboration

• Work closely with the Maintenance and Facilities Manager, Operations, and Beumer support technicians to maintain system uptime and reliability.
• Provide technical assistance to operators and coworkers for safe system operation and troubleshooting.
• Communicate equipment issues clearly and document all work performed in the CMMS.
• Assist with on-site contractor work related to the Beumer system, electrical, or mechanical projects.
• Support Beumer and OEM technicians during upgrades, software updates, or system testing.

Safety & Compliance

• Follow all OSHA, NFPA, and company safety guidelines, including Lockout/Tagout procedures.
• Maintain a clean and organized maintenance area and adhere to facility safety protocols.
• Participate in safety meetings, inspections, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Log all maintenance activities, parts usage.
• Support predictive maintenance initiatives and suggest improvements to enhance reliability and reduce unplanned downtime.
• Assist in maintaining spare parts inventory for conveyor and sorter systems.

Qualifications

• 2–5 years of experience in industrial maintenance, preferably with automated conveyor or sorter systems (Beumer, Dematic, Intelligrated, etc.).
• Strong working knowledge of mechanical systems, 480V electrical, PLC-controlled systems, and sensors.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical and mechanical schematics, maintenance manuals, and system diagrams.
• Proficient with CMMS systems and Microsoft Office.
• Strong troubleshooting, communication, and teamwork skills.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. and perform maintenance at heights or in confined spaces.
• Flexibility to work overtime or different shifts as needed to support 24/7 operations.

The Cato Corporation offers competitive salaries and excellent benefits including Medical/Dental/Life Insurance package, 401(K) Retirement Plan, Flexible Spending Plan, Stock Purchase Plan and more!