Lead Dairy Plant Maintenance & Equipment Excellence

Posted Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 10:00 AM Join the California Dairies, Inc. (CDI) team, a farmer‑owned cooperative dedicated to sustainably producing the highest quality dairy products while fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. CDI products are delivered locally and around the world. Situated in Stanislaus County, our Turlock South manufacturing plant specializes in the production of butter and milk powder. We encourage you to be part of our team that's shaping the future of dairy, right from the heart of California! Our commitment to CDI employees: We believe in valuing our team with a total rewards package that goes beyond the basics. You'll find we offer competitivepay and incentiveprograms designed to recognize and reward your contributions. Competitive medical,dental, and vision benefits , generous paid time off, sick days & holidays , retirement plans designed to secure your future. We don't stop there. We've also cultivated a variety of valuable programs focused on your personal well-being and professional growth , ensuring you have the support you need to both inside and outside of work. Job Summary Oversee care and maintenance of all steam, electrical, refrigeration and mechanical equipment, including the use of welding, gas, and electrical equipment in the plant. Essential Functions Responsible to maintain and repair all production equipment, including but not limited to: pumps, Pasteurizers, homogenizers, evaporators, dryers, churns, valves, baggers, etc. Responsible to maintain and repair all support equipment, including but not limited to: boiler, air‑compressors, ammonia compressors, thermal storage units, condensers, vacuum pumps, ammonia systems, air conditioning units, sewer meters, conductivity meters, water meters, etc. Must obtain medical clearance to use respirator and maintain certification. Be an active part of the emergency response team as prescribed by the company Safety Program. Oversee the fabrication and manufacturing of equipment for production needs and ensure such fabrication and manufacturing is in accordance with the applicable safety regulations, product and process piping, sanitary equipment, steam lines, chemical lines, pneumatic lines, etc. Documentation of all schematic and diagram changes to keep plant record current. Ensure all elements of the Preventive Service Maintenance (PSM) program are being adhered to. Responsible for supervision of all Engineers. Responsible for reviewing on a daily basis work orders and activity reports. Responsible for all work being done in a timely fashion and done properly. Assist in preparing capital project bids. Responsible for preventative maintenance program. Oversee plant projects, account for expenditures for each project. Must be able to comply with Process Safety Management Standards (PSM). Responsible for care and maintenance of company tools. Purchasing and Purchase Order control. Must have the ability to troubleshoot problems and be persistent until a solution is found. Must be willing to ask for assistance when the process is unclear. Follow and enforce all safety and working rules. Must have the ability to get along with co‑workers, management personnel, customers, vendors, and employees in accordance with the company policies and working rules while ensuring a harmonious and conducive work environment. Maintain a positive attitude and contribute towards a quality environment. Excellent regular full time attendance in support of company objectives. Use initiative and judgment in making decisions, keeping with California Dairies, Inc. best interests. This position has employee supervisory responsibilities in the area of discipline, performance evaluations, On the Job Training Forms, Incident Reports, and any other documentation. Coordinate on the job training. Oversee adherence to company policies and procedures. Oversee scheduling of employees. Have the responsibility of reviewing time sheets and addressing overtime. Support and enforce SQF / QA, GMP, Safety policies and procedures, and production needs. “Food Safety and Quality” are the responsibilities of this position. Perform other duties as assigned. Supervisory Responsibilities: Lead: Clearly communicate the company's vision & goals and how the team's work contributes to them. Set a positive example through their own work ethic, attitude, and commitment to quality. Develop and empower team members by delegating tasks effectively and providing opportunities for growth and development. Guide: Provide clear instructions and expectations, along with the “why”, for tasks and projects. Offer regular feedback and coaching to help team members improve their skills and performance. Foster a sense of teamwork and shared purpose, emphasizing that the team is stronger together. Support: Recognize and celebrate team accomplishments and individual contributions. Advocate for the team's needs and concerns, up, down, and across the organization. Encourage and support the team to challenge the status quo, to identify and suggest process improvements, and to embrace innovation. Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities) To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. College level verbal and written communication skills. Must be able to communicate with upper management on a daily basis. Leadership, team development, coaching, and / or teaching experience. Good math and statistical skills. Excellent organizational and follow through skills. Must demonstrate good judgement when carrying out duties as assigned. Education and/or Experience Minimum three years’ experience in a production setting involving electronics, instrumentation, refrigeration, electrical, and general mechanical with at least one year supervisory experience. Language Skills English is required as the written and spoken language. Certificates, Licenses, Registrations Must possess or be able to acquire and maintain a forklift operator license. Must possess or be able to acquire a Hazardous Materials Technician Certificate. Driving Requirements: Must possess or be able to acquire a state issued Driver’s License Equipment Pumps, pneumatic values, AC dives, motor starters, separators, instrumentation, welding, grinding, butter equipment, fans, high pressure pumps, electrical troubleshooting, powder packaging equipment, PLC controls, gearboxes, pneumatic system, boilers, ammonia compressors, ammonia system, glycol system, cooling towers, air compressors, pasteurizers. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The company will make reasonable accommodations that do not cause an undue hardship if such an accommodation enables individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Employees will be subject to temperatures associated with an air‑cooled room to temperatures in excess of 100 degrees Fahrenheit while working in proximity to dryer and to wet environments (hot or cold) during cleaning‑in‑place (CIP) operations. Employee may be required to enter confined spaces to perform equipment inspections. Employees may come into contact with the following: ammonia, acids, caustics, chlorines, paints, particles, oils and lubricants, steam, pneumatics, fumes and hazardous gases, sealing compounds, and other related chemicals. Personal protective equipment including, but not limited to: hearing protection, bump caps, hair and beard nets, gloves, and safety glasses must be used in the performance of duties. Proper lifting techniques must be employed at all times. ADA/FEHA The Company will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act. EEO The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer. Physical Demands Sitting/Standing/Walking: Stands and walks throughout shift. Walks on uneven concrete and tiles surfaces. Sits occasionally to answer calls, fill out paperwork, attend meetings, and answer emails. Lifting/Carrying: Lifts up to 25KG or 55.115 pounds. Pushing/Pulling: Frequently pushes/pulls while using mechanic tools and equipment. Bending/Stooping: Both are done regularly during the course of a workday. Squatting/Kneeling/Crawling: Frequent squatting and kneeling. Crawling is done occasionally specifically when repairing equipment. Twisting/Turning: Occasional twisting and turning. Climbing/Balancing: Climbing and balancing is required. Involved in the inspection of processing equipment, which could involve climbing vertical ladders or over 100 steps to the top of the dryers or evaporators. Reaching: Frequently reaching from floor level to shoulder level. Grasping/Manipulating: Grasping and manipulating of papers, objects, and equipment will be required. Ability to keyboard for data input will be required on an ongoing basis. Fraudulent Recruiting Scam Disclaimer To all applicants: We take your safety and privacy seriously at California Dairies Inc. All job applicants are directed to apply only through the official career pages. P Lease be aware that our talent team will never ask for any form of payment, financial account details, or sensitive personal information such as social security numbers. If you receive any suspicious messages claiming to be from California Dairies Inc., please contact us at View email address on click.appcast.io . U.S. residents can get more information from the FTC at The pay range is listed below and represents a good faith estimate upon hire. The final offer will depend on factors such as the candidates experience, skills, and qualifications. #J-18808-Ljbffr