Facilities Technician

Overview

Hilmar Cheese Company improves lives around the world through wholesome dairy products. Since 1984, Hilmar Cheese Company has been committed to innovation and sustainability. Our facilities convert locally sourced high-quality milk into a variety of nutritious cheeses, whey protein, and lactose. The Cheese and Ingredients we produce create a wide range of retail and food service products from sliced and shredded cheeses to protein supplements and infant formula.

We are a trusted partner to premier food and beverage brands in more than fifty countries.

Throughout our decades of success and growth we have remained committed to our mission and values, and these principles unite our people and guide all that we do.

The Facilities Mechanic is responsible for the safe and effective operation and maintenance of facilities equipment, including ammonia refrigeration plants, cold storage facilities, steam boilers, well water systems, potable water systems, compressed air systems, and HVAC systems.

• Operate Facilities Equipment
• Ensure daily analysis of chemical treatment of facilities equipment and perform deviation corrections in a timely manner
• Perform preventative maintenance of facilities equipment
• Apply basic fabrication skills, such as welding, use of shop tools, and print reading
• Create and close work orders and review equipment history and parts from the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS)
• Be a member of A/ERT and Hazmat Team (Ammonia Emergency Response Team)
• Communicate effectively and work in teams
• Perform tasks unsupervised
• Engage in training and development activities before, during, after shifts, and on days off
• Coach and train teammates and participate in on-the-job buddy training
• Prioritize food safety and sanitation by understanding and executing HCC’s policies and procedures
• Hold self and others accountable to food safety and sanitation guidelines; communicate any incidents or opportunities to leadership or teammates
• Participate in root cause analysis and improvement activities for food safety and sanitation when required
• Maintain a safety-first approach in all duties
• Report safety issues or opportunities to teams and follow up
• Participate in departmental safety teams
• Promote company culture
• Contribute to common business goals through cross-department collaboration
• Read and understand Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&’s)
• Follow OSHA guidelines for use of Air Purifying Respirators (APR) and Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)

• Proficient English communication skills (reading, writing, speaking)
• 1 year of industrial maintenance experience
• Experience with Ammonia Refrigeration Systems; ability to obtain RETA CARO or CIRO certification (within 18 months of employment)
• Ability to pass a Pulmonary Function Test and Fit Test for respirator use
• Maintain a clean-shaven appearance
• Willingness to work weekends, holidays, and rotating shifts (day/swing/graveyard)
• Ability to acquire TCEQ water operator license (Texas) and CA D1 and T1 licenses (California)
• Ability to lift up to 60 lbs
• Experience with potable wastewater systems and ability to obtain certification within 18 months in position
• Remain on-call for emergency response and operational system needs
• Basic understanding of building maintenance (construction, plumbing, basic electrical, painting, housekeeping)
• Mathematically inclined

• High school diploma or GED from an accredited institution
• Dairy industry experience
• Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• SAP knowledge
• Ammonia refrigeration maintenance and troubleshooting experience
• Previous HAZ-MAT Technician Level Training
• Boiler operation and maintenance with troubleshooting
• Air compressor and pneumatic maintenance and troubleshooting

Note: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities. While performing duties, the employee will be required to:

• Stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel and reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear
• Stand and walk most of the workday
• Be capable of working in any cheese plant task
• Work at heights and in confined spaces
• Pushing, pulling, reaching, bending, stooping, squatting, kneeling, handling and grasping, twisting/turning, repetitive bending

The work environment may include exposure to dust, fumes, smoke, gases, and chemicals; exposure to solvents, and to wet or slippery surfaces; temperature and humidity changes. Working surface is primarily concrete with rubber mats where standing is required. Safety and food safety are company wide responsibilities, and employees must participate in safe behavior and practices.

This description is a general statement of the role and is subject to change. Other duties may be assigned.

Hilmar Cheese…