Facilities Mechanic

At Hilmar Cheese Company we improve lives around the world through wholesome dairy products. Since our founding in 1984, Hilmar Cheese Company has been committed to innovation and sustainability. Our state-of-the-art production facilities convert an abundance of locally sourced high-quality milk into a variety of nutritious cheeses, whey protein, and lactose. The Cheese and Ingredients we produce create a wide variety 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, helping bring their vision into reality. Throughout our decades of success and growth, we have remained committed to our mission and values, which unite our people and guide all that we do.

About the Role

A typical day for the Facilities Mechanic involves the safe and effective operation and maintenance of Facilities Equipment, including Ammonia Refrigeration Plants, Cold Storage Facility, Steam Boilers, Well Water Systems, Potable Water Systems, Compressed Air Systems, HVACs, and more.

Responsibilities

• Operation of Facilities Equipment.
• Ensure daily analysis of chemical treatment of facilities equipment and deviation corrections are completed in a timely manner.
• Perform preventative maintenance of Facilities Equipment.
• Basic fabrication skills, e.g., welding, shop tools, print reading.
• Create and close Work Orders and check Equipment History and Parts from Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
• Serve as a member of the A/ERT and Hazmat Team (Ammonia Emergency Response Team).
• Effectively communicate and work in teams.
• Perform tasks unsupervised.
• Actively participate in and take ownership of your training and development program, including associated activities, classes, and events held before, during, after shifts, and during scheduled days off.
• Help coach and train teammates and participate in on-the-job buddy training.
• Prioritize food safety and sanitation by understanding and executing HCC’s food safety and sanitation policies and procedures. Hold self and others accountable to these guidelines and report any incidents or opportunities for improvement.
• Participate in food safety and sanitation root cause analysis and improvement activities when required.
• Prioritize safety above all other job duties, always adopting a safety-first approach. Report any safety issues or observations and follow up as needed.
• Participate in departmental safety teams.
• Promote Company Culture and achieve common business goals through cooperative alignment with all departments.
• Read and understand Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs).
• Follow OSHA guidelines for the use of an Air Purifying Respirator (APR) and Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA).

Requirements

• Proficient English skills to understand, read, write, and speak English.
• 1-year industrial maintenance experience.
• Ammonia Refrigeration Systems Experience—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; must remain clean-shaven at all times.
• Ability to work weekends, holidays, and rotating shifts (day/swing/graveyard).
• Ability to acquire TCEQ water operator license (Texas) and CA D1 and T1 license (California).
• Ability to lift up to 60 lbs.
• Potable wastewater systems experience—individual’s responsibility to acquire certification within 18 months in position.
• Remain on-call for emergency response and operational system needs.
• Some understanding of Building Maintenance, including but not limited to: Construction, Plumbing, Basic Electric, Painting, Housekeeping.
• Mathematically inclined.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED from an accredited institution (preferred).
• Dairy industry experience (preferred).
• Experience working with Microsoft Office Software such as Word, Excel, and Outlook (preferred).
• SAP knowledge (preferred).
• Ammonia Refrigeration Maintenance and Troubleshooting (preferred).
• Previous HAZ-MAT Technician Level Training (preferred).
• Boiler Operation and Maintenance and Troubleshooting (preferred).
• Air Compressor and Pneumatic Maintenance and Troubleshooting (preferred).

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, and talk or hear.
• Stand and walk almost the entire workday.
• Physically capable of working in any of the job tasks within the cheese plant.
• Work at heights and in small areas.
• Pushing, pulling, reaching, bending, stooping, squatting, kneeling, handling and grasping, twisting/turning, repetitive bending.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• Exposure to dust, fumes, smoke, gases, or other irritating substances.
• Exposure to solvents or chemicals.
• Exposure to slippery walking surfaces, such as water.
• Exposure to marked changes in temperature and humidity depending on the time of year.
• Working surface is primarily concrete; standing areas have rubber mats (one-half inch thick).

Pay

Salary Range: USD $32.77 - $48.67 per hour. The final compensation offered within this range will depend on factors including the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.