MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN

Overview AMPI owns six Midwest-based manufacturing plants where 10 percent of the nation's American‑type cheese and processed cheese is produced. The cooperative’s award‑winning cheese and powdered dairy products are marketed to foodservice, retail, and food ingredient customers. In 2019, the co‑op launched its Dinner Bell Creamery brand and accompanying Co‑op Crafted promise, highlighting more than 50 years of dairy farm families partnering with skilled cheesemakers. ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES Report employee safety, food safety, and food quality issues to personnel of authority. Maintain heightened food safety and food quality responsibilities. Provide maintenance support effectively and efficiently, responding promptly to maintenance‑related issues and resolving problems to maintain employee safety and production efficiencies. Ensure safe operations through adherence to Environmental, Health, and Safety programs and procedures, including lockout‑tagout, fall protection, and confined space requirements. Maintain clean work areas and tool accountability by strict adherence to housekeeping practices. Operate plant equipment by completing preventive maintenance on motors, pneumatic tools, conveyor systems, and production machines. Follow diagrams, sketches, operation manuals, manufacturer’s instructions, and engineering specifications. Manage startup, operations, shutdown, and maintenance of plant equipment to ensure safe and efficient operations. Maintain the ammonia refrigeration system. Locate and isolate sources of problems by observing mechanical devices and using precision measuring and testing instruments. Remove and replace defective parts and equipment to achieve efficient operation with minimal production interruption. Assist in root cause analysis to prevent recurrence of issues. Adjust functional parts of devices and control instruments using hand tools, levels, plumb bobs, and straightedges. Determine dimensional requirements of parts using rules, calipers, micrometers, and other measuring instruments. Perform MIG, TIG, and stick welding on various metals, including food‑grade stainless steel, steel, and aluminum. Conserve maintenance resources by using equipment and supplies as needed to accomplish job results. Anticipate required equipment, parts, and supplies. Train and assist operators and peers in equipment maintenance, operation, problem identification, and problem‑solving skills. Control downtime by informing production workers of preventive maintenance techniques and monitoring compliance. Document downtime, problems, and corrective actions taken concisely. Interact with vendors and suppliers to ensure efficient repair, parts stocking, and maintenance of plant equipment and systems. Assist in the development of maintenance projects, assemble bills of materials, and collaborate with management on upgrades and modifications for plant enhancement. Participate in task meetings and suggest changes in work tasks and equipment use to increase efficiencies. Contribute to continuous improvement efforts as an engaged team member. Perform pneumatic and hydraulic system troubleshooting and repairs of mechanical and electrical related issues. Diagnose, install, and repair all plant systems. Effectively pass down unfinished repairs and unresolved maintenance or production issues to the next shift. Participate in the Emergency Response program and assist in training new employees. Adhere to all Quality and Food Safety, Employee Safety, and GMP policies and procedures, reporting nonconformities. Other duties as assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE High School Diploma or GED. Associate’s degree in a related technical field or certificate/diploma from a trade school in a related field is preferred. Prior maintenance experience in food manufacturing, preferably the dairy or cheese industry, is preferred. 1–2 years of skilled experience in mechanical maintenance and repair work, or a comparable combination of education and experience. Ability to register as an unlicensed electrician. Valid driver’s license. BENEFITS / REWARDS Competitive starting pay. PTO, 401(k), short‑term disability, health, dental, vision, life insurance. Flexible spending accounts, employee assistance programs, and more. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI) is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. Military and veterans are encouraged to apply. Equal Opportunity Employer minorities/females/veterans/individuals with disabilities/sexual orientation/gender identity. These statements are included to comply with federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor. If you require reasonable accommodation to apply, please reach out to View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io for assistance. #J-18808-Ljbffr