Maintenance Technician III presso California Dairies, Inc.

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.

Our state-of-the-art Extended Shelf Life (ESL) and Aseptic Ultra High Temperature (UHT) dairy bottling facility, Valley Natural Beverages, produces premium beverages in various formats, and these shelf-stable products are shipped globally.

We encourage you to be part of our team that's shaping the future of dairy, right from the heart of California!

We offer a generous total rewards package that includes: 

• Hourly Range - $40.00 - $47.00
• Work-life balance: Rotating day/night shifts (12-hour shift)
• Family medical/dental/vision
• Generous company contributions to 401k
• Relocation Assistance
• 11 Paid holidays
• Paid vacation
• Tuition reimbursement

Job Summary

The Maintenance Technician III is responsible for ensuring equipment uptime through timely, in-depth
preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair. Our goal is 100% preventative maintenance compliance. The Maintenance Technician III maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs all facility equipment supporting production lines. Additionally, this position is responsible for the repair of facilities, auxiliary equipment, and general maintenance of the plant.

The Maintenance Technician III works directly with machine Operators, Supervisors, and Senior Maintenance Technicians to resolve mechanical issues that arise during shift. The Maintenance Technician III will collaborate in finding solutions to complex and reoccurring problems with production equipment. The Maintenance Technician III should then be able to present the solution to Senior Mechanics and Management to resolve issues. The Maintenance Technician III provides guidance, mentorship, and expertise at all times to support the CDI team.

Essential Functions

• Perform daily inspection walks throughout the facility, documenting critical process equipment indicators, pressure readings, temperature readings, and machine electrical load ampere readings.
• Perform and lead jobs with little to no supervision. 
• Knowledge and practice of industrial manufacturing Safe Work practices.
• Repair equipment, fixtures, systems, conveyors, and other equipment at facility.
• Modify, lubricate, diagnose, and operate equipment in accordance with Work Instructions.
• Handle chemicals for support equipment operation.
• Navigate through panels using drawings for trouble shooting purposes.
• Maintain and understand industrial control systems, operation processes, start up, and shut down procedures.
• Assist production operators to perform the MFG process as needed.
• Create and report repairs throughout shift. Complete required work order paperwork, document parts, and material usage.
• Work independently and collaborate with other team members to complete repairs in a safe and timely manner.
• Understand and follow plant safety rules including safe lifting practices and safe machine operation.  
• Personal Protective Equipment is to be used where required.
• Regular and predictable attendance is an essential function of the job to ensure equipment and facility uptime.
• Fabrication and manufacturing of equipment for production needs; product and process piping, sanitary equipment, steam lines, chemical lines, pneumatic lines, welding, cutting, drilling, etc.
• Perform daily tasks as part of Plant Safety Program, Plant Quality Program, CIL Program (clean, inspect, lube), Autonomous Maintenance Program, Equipment Center-Lining Program, Defect Identification, and Preventative Maintenance Programs.

• Properly complete all documentation to meet all regulatory requirements and plant SOPs. Ensure yours, your team members’, and all visitors’ safety by actively supporting and following all safety programs as part of a “Zero Accident” commitment.
• Ensure full compliance to all regulatory, customer, and plant quality requirements as part of a “Perfect Quality” commitment.
• “Make it Better”. Constantly look for defects and opportunities for improvement throughout all parts of the plant operation and personally lead necessary efforts to “Make it Better”.
• Bring value to the Team and strengthen the Team through your job performance, treatment of your team members, and effective communication.
• Understand all performance criteria and operating results associated with your area of responsibility and constantly meet or exceed these requirements.
• Maintain Plant areas of responsibility to always ensure an inspection and tour ready facility.
• Actively contribute during Daily Shift/Direction Setting Meetings.
• Complete and document CILs (Clean, Inspect, Lube), master sanitation tasks, quality checks, PMs (preventative maintenance tasks), and perform required maintenance on your equipment. 
• Understand sources of waste and actively strive for “Zero Waste”.

• 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: N/A

 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.

• Must have a working knowledge of and experience in plant maintenance and preventative maintenance operations.
• Knowledge of chemical testing and water quality for utilities.
• 5 yrs. Experience working with high voltage, 480 VAC, and 24 Volt control systems.
• Knowledge of PLCs, VFDs, sensors, instrumentation, and network communication.
• Must demonstrate good judgement when carrying out duties as assigned.

Education and/or Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate’s degree in manufacturing, manufacturing technology, mechatronics, industrial manufacturing, industrial automation, or other similar manufacturing-related specialization preferred.
• Must have experience with leading new equipment installation, repairing and troubleshooting conveyors, working with complex valve systems, lobe & centrifugal pumps.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience Troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems using schematics, technical drawings, and testing equipment.
• Minimum 5 yrs. Experience working with high voltage, 480 VAC, and 24 Volt control systems.

Language Skills

English is required as the written and spoken language. 

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

N/A

Driving Requirements

N/A

 Equipment

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.

Work Environment

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

The physical requirements outlined here represent those necessary for successful performance of this position's core responsibilities. Upon request, the company will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these fundamental job duties, provided such accommodations do not create an undue burden on the organization.

Sitting/Standing/Walking: Stands, walks and sits during completion of job responsibilities.

Lifting/Carrying: Occasional lifting requirements as job demands. Must be able to lift a minimum of 40 lbs. on an occasional basis.

Pushing/Pulling: Occasional pushing or pulling requirements.

Bending/Stooping: Occasional bending and stooping requirements.

Squatting/Kneeling/Crawling: Occasional kneeling or crawling requirements.

Twisting/Turning: Ongoing twisting or turning requirements.

Climbing/Balancing: Climbing and balancing is required during plant inspections, and other related job requirements.

Reaching: Ongoing reaching requirements associated with job requirements.

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.