Wastewater Pretreatment Maintenance Technician

Position Summary

Daisy Brand, a fifth-generation family-owned dairy company and the maker of America's favorite sour cream and cottage cheese, is opening a brand-new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Boone, Iowa. As a member of the start-up team, you will complete paid, structured training at our established plants nationwide, work side by side with Engineering during installation and commissioning, and step into the new facility on day one already knowing it better than anyone.

The Pretreatment Maintenance Technician is a specialized member of the Maintenance Team responsible for supporting the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the company's water, pretreatment, and wastewater systems.

This position's primary role is to maximize the water, pretreatment and wastewater equipment reliability, maintain process stability, support environmental compliance, and minimize unplanned downtime through effective troubleshooting, preventive and predictive maintenance, and documentation activities.

The ideal candidate will be reliability-centered, mechanically and electrically capable, and comfortable learning the operation and health of several complex water, pretreatment and wastewater processes. The Pretreatment Maintenance Technician will frequently collaborate with Maintenance, Engineering, Utilities, Operations, and other plant personnel to solve problems and continuously improve equipment and process performance.

Plant Start-Up Expectations

Starting up a new plant is demanding and rewarding, and we believe in being transparent about what this role requires. Hiring will occur in phases, and expectations differ by phase.

• Start-Up Crew: As part of the start-up crew, you will train hands-on at our established plants – approximately two or more weeks of company-paid travel per month during the first twelve months.
• Plant Opening Team: Candidates unable to travel as part of the start-up crew may still be considered for offers with a later start date, joining as the plant opens with minimal to no travel required.

During the plant start-up period, your schedule will vary based on training and commissioning needs, including travel as outlined above. Upon the facility reaching normal operations, your schedule is expected to transition to your long-term agreed upon schedule. All travel, overtime, and schedule expectations for training and long-term will be confirmed in writing in any offer letters. Daisy Brand will communicate schedule changes as far in advance as possible.

The start-up period offers significant overtime earning potential. Once the plant reaches steady-state operation, the team averages 45 hours per week with a focus on work-life balance.

Travel Expectations

To support the successful startup of a new manufacturing facility, this position requires some travel for training, knowledge transfer, and operational readiness activities. The selected candidate must be willing and able to travel periodically as needed prior to plant startup. Travel may include extended stays to receive hands-on training, participate in equipment commissioning activities, and teach plant processes and procedures. Weekend travel and work may be required based on training schedules, project timelines, and business needs. Employees will be expected to maintain a flexible schedule throughout the startup and training period. Business travel expenses, including transportation, lodging, and meals, will be paid for or reimbursed in accordance with Daisy Brand's travel and expense reimbursement policies. This temporary travel commitment is critical to ensuring employees are fully prepared to support safe and successful plant operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform mechanical repairs, inspections, and preventative maintenance on Wastewater and facility equipment
• Troubleshoot mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and electrical systems
• Pumps, valves, gearboxes, motors, piping, and process equipment
• Complete equipment adjustments, component replacements, and minor modifications
• Execute PM work orders and document activities in the CMMS
• Support maintenance planning through equipment assessments and job scoping
• Utilize predictive maintenance technologies such as vibration analysis, ultrasonic testing, thermal imaging, and oil analysis
• Perform precision maintenance activities including alignment, balancing, torque verification, calibration, and installation
• Work closely with Operations, Engineering, Controls, and Utilities teams to improve reliability and reduce downtime
• Follow all Safety, Food Safety, Environmental, and LOTO requirements.
• Mentor maintenance trainees as needed.

Qualifications and Requirements

Education and Experience

• High School diploma or G.E.D. required; additional technical certifications preferred.
• 2+ years industrial maintenance experience or equivalent training.
• Experience in a food or dairy production environment preferred.
• Experience with equipment installation, commissioning, or plant start-up a plus.
• Proficiency in maintenance management software (CMMS) preferred.
• Ability to meet the travel requirements outlined above for start-up crew positions.

Skills and Competencies

• Electrical: electrical schematics and documentation; 480V 3-phase troubleshooting and wiring; low voltage controls; VFDs and servos.
• Mechanical: welding (MIG, TIG, and Arc); pumps, valves, and gearboxes; pneumatic and hydraulic systems; mill and lathe; strong mechanical aptitude.
• Industrial wastewater, pretreatment, utilities, or process-system experience preferred.
• Wastewater operator certification or license preferred where applicable.
• Experience with complex piping and fluid-handling systems
• PLC and automated equipment troubleshooting.
• Allen-Bradley PLC knowledge, including understanding and troubleshooting PLC-controlled systems, preferred.
• Understanding of electrical schematics and technical documentation
• Controls: Allen Bradley PLC knowledge including SLC 500, PLC 5, and Logix 5000 (troubleshooting and program understanding).
• Manufacturing: conveyors, palletizing equipment, and case packers preferred; utilities including boilers, air compressors, and ammonia refrigeration; wastewater systems.
• Physical requirements: able to lift 50 pounds; able to stand, bend, lift, and twist throughout shift; able to multitask while working with a team; able to understand and follow all GMP and Safety requirements.

Compensation and Premium Pay

• Experienced Maintenance Technician pay rate starting at $32/hour.
• 10% premium pay for off-hours work.
• 15% premium pay for weekend work.

Company Overview

Daisy Brand is the market leader in two billion-dollar categories – sour cream and cottage cheese. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, we've earned the trust of Americans through consistency and quality across five generations as a family-owned company. Our success has been guided by a simple belief: good food, much like good work, starts with integrity. That mindset continues to shape how we make our products, run our business, and support the people behind the brand.

At Daisy Brand, tradition and innovation go hand in hand. We invest thoughtfully in advancements that strengthen our products and operations, supporting responsible, long-term growth. In 2025, we broke ground on a new manufacturing facility in Boone, Iowa, further strengthening our supply chain alongside our established plants in Garland, Texas; Casa Grande, Arizona; and Wooster, Ohio. Looking ahead, our state-of-the-art Innovation Center, opening in 2026, will bring together research, food science, culinary, and technology teams to shape the future of our products. Recent work from these teams includes the development of the squeeze pouch and new line of dips, reflecting an intentional approach to modernization while staying true to the quality our consumers expect.

At the heart of Daisy Brand is its people. The company is intentionally structured to be collaborative and accessible, with an entrepreneurial mindset encouraged at every level. We hire with the goal of building long-term careers and provide an environment where employees are trusted to think critically, take initiative, and continue learning. Growth here isn't accidental; it's actively supported and shared.

To support our employees and their families, Daisy Brand offers a people-first benefits package that includes:

• A no deductible, $0 premium option for employee only medical coverage
• Access to virtual healthcare and wellness programs
• A 401(k) program with company match, plus weekly safe harbor and annual profit-sharing contributions
• Company paid short and long-term disability coverage and 2x annual salary in life and AD&D insurance
• Four weeks of paid time off, plus 20 hours of floating holidays in your first full year of employment
• Annual rollover and payout options for any unused paid time off
• Paid time for volunteering and community involvement
• Tuition reimbursement and ongoing professional development opportunities
• Fitness and wellness incentives
• And more.

Daisy Brand is a nicotine-free company. Daisy Brand is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Veterans and disabled encouraged to apply.