Sr Maintenance Technician - Buffalo

Sr Maintenance Technician - Buffalo

Compass Minerals is seeking a reliable and safety-conscious Plant Mechanic to join our Operations team. This position will provide maintenance support for our Buffalo location, including but not limited to inspections, predictive and preventive maintenance and repairs. This role works alongside management, operators, contractors, and other staff, as well as working independently on projects. This role supports the continuity of the salt processing, packaging, and shipping operations of the site.

Essential duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Perform mechanical maintenance including troubleshooting, dismantling, rigging, repairing, and installing facility equipment such as pulleys, power shafts, hoists, and conveyors.
• Start up and shut down equipment following company safety procedures and OSHA guidelines.
• Install new equipment and modify equipment layouts as needed.
• Read and interpret blueprints, manuals, and reference materials in accordance with codes and safe operating practices.
• Diagnose mechanical and operational issues, determine corrective actions, and minimize production downtime.
• Execute repairs, upgrades, and changeovers in alignment with maintenance schedules.
• Test equipment to ensure proper operation after repairs or extended downtime.
• Perform high-quality welding (plate and pipe) and noncritical flat/vertical welds.
• Operate drill presses and other precision tools requiring exact tolerances.
• Repair and splice conveyor belts and perform layout and fabrication work.
• Conduct civil construction tasks related to equipment foundations.
• Repair, assemble, and disassemble gearboxes, pumps, transmissions, and related machinery.
• Perform basic pipefitting for threaded and welded joints.
• Use cutting torches for metal cutting and part heating.
• Maintain valves and bearings, including packing, lubrication, and repair.
• Conduct basic rigging, minor machining, and use commonly required power/hand tools.
• Lubricate and clean plant equipment per routine schedules; remove buildup such as paint, grease, and debris.
• Respond to daily maintenance requests and emergency repair call-outs.
• Sharpen tools, dress grinding wheels, and maintain equipment in safe operating condition.
• Maintain clean, safe, organized work areas.
• Work safely and efficiently with all required tools and equipment.
• Ability to work in tight spaces and in hot, wet, dry, dusty, or elevated environments; climb ladders and operate man lifts.
• Maintain a satisfactory work record and physical stamina for extended hours.
• Willingness to work overtime as needed.

Minimum qualifications:

• Must be able to demonstrate the ability to troubleshoot, repair or replace equipment as detailed in the qualifications list above. Retain a high degree of physical stamina for extended hours.

Education and experience: High School graduate or equivalent required. Trade school preferred. The completion of or equivalent to five years field experience and the successful completion of applicable trade school program work or certified apprentice program. Minimum of five years related experience in an industrial setting. PLC experience preferred. Ability to perform duties in a productive and quality manner with minimal supervision.

Physical requirements: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Additionally, the employee must be able to perform these essential job functions in adverse weather conditions for sustained periods. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

Compass Minerals is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We are firmly committed to making all employment-related decisions without regard to race, ancestry, ethnicity, color, religious creed or belief, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, and pregnancy and breastfeeding), age, military or veteran status, status as a qualified individual with a disability, genetic information, and any other characteristic protected by law.