Electrician/Maintenance Technician

Open Gates Group is a family of companies located near Kalona, IA. We care about our employees and take pride in our community. To help our community's farmers, we built a creamery and then 10 other food industry-related businesses. Today, we help source, produce, sell & transport Midwestern products to 3,500+ stores nationwide. Our dairy products are minimally processed and come straight from Midwest family farms surrounding our creameries. We are currently hiring an Electrician/ Maintenance Technician to support our food manufacturing efforts. 

Position Summary:

The Electrician/Maintenance Technician is responsible for planning, executing, and overseeing the installation, maintenance, and repair of electrical systems and electronic equipment in our food manufacturing facilities. This position works collaboratively with all areas of the company and serves as a project team member and/or lead on electrical-related projects. Typical daytime shift hours are Monday-Friday, with rotational on-call. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Plan, coordinate, and lead electrical construction and maintenance projects per approved engineering plans, timelines, and safety standards.
• Install, maintain, test, troubleshoot, and repair power distribution and control systems for production equipment and facility infrastructure.
• Read and interpret electrical blueprints, wiring diagrams, schematics, manufacturer specifications, and technical manuals to ensure accurate installations and repairs.
• Design and lay out new electrical installations; calculate proper wire sizes, load capacities, conduit requirements, and ensure full compliance with local, state, and national electrical codes.
• Diagnose and resolve issues in industrial electrical systems, including motors, PLCs, VFDs, switches, sensors, and relay logic.
• Perform preventive and predictive maintenance on electrical systems to minimize unplanned downtime and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with production teams and maintenance team members to support equipment upgrades, system enhancements, and project implementation.
• Maintain accurate documentation of electrical work performed, including work orders, maintenance logs, and compliance reports.
• Ensure adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and federal, state, and local safety regulations, including proper lockout/tagout (LOTO) practices.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to safety, quality, customer service, and teamwork in all interactions.
• Assist with other industrial maintenance duties as needed, including mechanical troubleshooting and general facility upkeep.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Licensed Journeyman strongly preferred. Must have a clean driving record.
• Experience in electrical maintenance within industrial or food manufacturing environments is preferred.
• Strong understanding of electrical theory, NEC compliance, and hands-on knowledge of 480V power systems.
• Proficient in reading and interpreting blueprints, ladder logic diagrams, schematics, and wiring layouts.
• Preferred experience with PLCs, automation systems, sensors, and industrial control panels.
• Demonstrated mechanical aptitude and ability to troubleshoot mechanical breakdowns and perform basic repairs.
• Excellent problem-solving skills with strong attention to detail and a proactive, solution-oriented mindset.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Team-oriented mindset with a proactive approach to process improvement.
• Comfortable working in a physically demanding environment, including lifting up to 60 lbs., working at heights, and in varying climate conditions (indoor/outdoor, hot/cold).
• Basic computer literacy and the ability to complete documentation and work orders accurately.
• Commitment to our company’s mission, vision, values, and operating principles, with a high level of integrity and professionalism.