Manufacturing Maintenance Technician

At Ellsworth Creamery, our team members are more than employees; they are like family and we are committed to their success. This culture has contributed to the longevity of our staff, whose careers at Ellsworth Creamery span 10, 20 and even 50 years! Join our Team as we work with our cooperative of local farmers to create award-winning cheese!

Reports To: Maintenance Supervisor

Supervises: None

Type: Hourly, Union, Non-Exempt

The Maintenance Technician role is responsible for the installation, maintenance, and repair of machine, tools, and equipment, electrical systems, heating/cooling systems, facilities, structures or equivalent. Assuring safety, quality and performance objectives are a foundational expectation for this role. Food and/or dairy manufacturing experience preferred. This role will be expected to be on an on-call rotation, every sixth weekend.

Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

1. Maintenance & Repair Operations

• Perform emergency machine repair plant-wide during production and non-production hours
• Diagnose electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and mechanical problems (fillers, boxers, pumps, valves, etc.)
• Carry out preventative / predictive maintenance on production and facility equipment
• Aid in development, installation, or rebuilding of equipment plant-wide
• Complete work orders in a timely manner

2. Technical Skills & Troubleshooting

• Read electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic schematics and understand symbols
• Understand PLC operation and use PLC interface for diagnostics and corrective actions
• Understand plant manufacturing processes to diagnose maintenance problems

3. Collaboration & Communication

• Work independently with minimal supervision while collaborating positively with the team
• Interface with department leaders and employees on equipment performance and maintenance needs

4. Training & Knowledge Development

• Support or help train new maintenance employees
• Develop required skills and knowledge to maintain high production functionality

5. Compliance, Safety & Quality

• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards (GMP, OSHA, FDA, SQF, USDA, etc.)
• Maintain a sanitary workspace according to Good Manufacturing Practices
• Follow all company policies and procedures

6. Facility & Grounds Maintenance

• Maintain appearance of facility grounds (e.g., snowplowing)

7. General & Administrative Responsibilities

• Document issues or updates to maintenance programs
• Perform all other duties as assigned

Required Education / Experience/ Competencies and Other Skills:

• Strong knowledge and experience in mechanical, electrical circuitry, HVAC, plumbing, fabrication, food manufacturing, and building maintenance.
• Ability to solve practical and complex operations, and mechanical and electrical problems in situations where only limited standardization exists, and multiple variables are present.
• Demonstrate effective planning and organizational skills.
• Ability to interpret a variety of specifications and information furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure.
• Strong communication skills in both verbal and written.
• Proficient in or seek to become proficient in Welding, Installation, "Clean In Place" (CIP), Robotics, Diagnostics, PLC, Electrical Three-phrase, Pneumatic, Steam/ boilers.
• High school diploma, equivalent or eagerness to learn and work in the dairy industry.

Preferred Experience and Other Skills:

• Basic computer knowledge.
• Dairy manufacturing experience.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to lift 50+ lbs. repetitively.
• Stand for up to 8 hours per shift.
• Pass a drug & alcohol screen as well as a general background check.

Work Environment / Environment Condition:

• Food plant environment. Atmosphere may be humid, hot and will be dependent upon weather.
• Must adhere to all food and plant safety policies and regulations.

Benefits Package - excellent benefits for you and the family!

• PTO - 80 hours in the first year of service!
• Affordable Medical, Dental, Vision
• Supplemental Insurances: Accidental, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity
• 401k & Pension
• Company provided benefits: STD, LTD, Life Insurances

Our Ellsworth, Wisconsin facility specializes solely in the production of our world-famous All Natural White Cheddar Cheese Curds, both natural and flavored, our All Natural Cheddar Cheese Curd Crumbles and sweet whey powder.

Committed to our Team, Craft & Community, Since 1910