California Dairies, Inc. is the leading dairy processing cooperative in California. As a farmer-owned cooperative, we operate several processing facilities located throughout California. CDI employees are highly valued and are provided competitive benefits packages and career growth plans.

We offer a generous total rewards package that includes:

• Hourly Wage - $36.00
• Family medical/dental/vision
• Retirement plans
• Paid holidays
• Paid vacation
• Tuition reimbursement
• Loss prevention and safety bonus programs

Summary

Support and enforce SQF / QA, GMP, HACCP, Safety policies and procedures, and production needs. “Food Safety and Quality” are the responsibilities of this position. The Maintenance Working Foreperson(s) will assist the Facilities Superintendent in the performance of all assigned duties necessary to maintain efficient operation of all plant and supporting equipment. The Foreperson(s) is/are a direct communication link between the Facilities Superintendent and the Plant Forepersons/Supervisors. Each foreperson is assigned a pager and a schedule designating responsibility for answering off duty paging. Any response to off duty paging will be compensated with a minimum of two (2) hours of pay.

Essential Functions

• Supervision of all shift maintenance personnel, assigning workloads/PMs and following through to ensure a satisfactory completion.
• Communicating a detailed verbal and written pass down between shifts.
• Daily communication of maintenance activities and updates to the Plant Forepersons/Supervisors.
• Accurate completion and daily review of all documentation: work orders, activity reports, parts requests, etc.
• Response to breakdown calls, determine and troubleshoot problem, then prioritize work for maintenance personnel on shift.
• Maintaining and repairing all production equipment: pumps, pasteurizers, homogenizers, evaporators, dryers, churns, valves, baggers, etc.
• Maintaining and repairing all support equipment: boiler, air-compressors, ammonia compressors, thermal storage units, condensers, vacuum pumps, ammonia systems, air conditioning units, sewer meters, conductivity meters, water meters, etc.
• Handling of chemicals for support equipment operation, including chemical testing of boiler feed water, condensate, cooling tower water, ice bank chilled water, plant process water, etc.
• Overseeing the fabrication and manufacturing of equipment for production needs: product and process piping, sanitary equipment, steam lines, chemical lines, pneumatic lines, etc.
• Documentation of all schematic and diagram changes to keep plant record current.
• Communicating replacement parts requests to Maintenance Procurement Clerk as needed.
• Completion of all work done properly and in a timely fashion.
• Assist in the preparation of capital project bids.
• Care and maintenance of company tools.
• Follow all safety and working rules.
• Must have the ability to get along with co-workers, management personnel, customers, vendors, and employees in accordance with the company policies and working rules while ensuring a harmonious and conducive work environment.
• Maintain a positive attitude and contribute toward a quality environment.
• Excellent regular full-time attendance in support of company objectives.
• Use initiative and judgment in making decisions, keeping with California Dairies, Inc.’s best interests.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Responsible for the daily supervision of the shift maintenance personnel. This position has no responsibilities in the area of hiring or firing employees. Any employee problems are to be brought to the attention of the Facilities Superintendent or Human Resources.

Qualifications

• 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 work in a safe and efficient manner and follow all safety procedures including the use of safety equipment.
• Must have the ability to troubleshoot problems and be persistent until a solution is found.
• Must be willing to ask for assistance when the process is unclear.
• Must have a working knowledge of and experience in plant maintenance operations.
• Must possess or be able to acquire a forklift operator license.

Education and/or Experience

• A High School diploma or General Education Degree (GED) is required.
• Minimum two years of experience in a production setting involving electronics, instrumentation, refrigeration, electrical, and general mechanical.
• Must attend at least two continuing education classes per year related to their position.
• Proficient written and spoken English.
• Basic computational skills required.
• Simple math reasoning required.

Language Skills

English is required as the spoken language. Other languages are definite asset. A well-modulated tonal volume is required with excellent diction skills needed.

Reasoning Ability

Must have the ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions given in written, oral, or diagram form. Must have the ability to discern when issues may require input from levels of authority within the corporation.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Must possess or be able to acquire a forklift operator license.

Physical Demands

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.

Sitting/Standing/Walking: The engineer, during the course of an 8-hour workday, will do all three. They will walk several hundred feet over uneven surfaces checking buildings and machines for needed repairs.

Lifting/Carrying: The engineer lifts up to 60 pounds on a frequent basis and 80 pounds on an occasional basis.

Pushing/Pulling: Frequent pushing/pulling is done while using mechanic tools and equipment.

Bending/Stooping: Both are done regularly during the course of a workday.

Squatting/Kneeling/Crawling: Squatting and kneeling are done frequently. Crawling is done occasionally.

Twisting/Turning: Frequent twisting and turning are done while doing regular maintenance duties.

Climbing/Balancing: Some vertical ladder climbing required. Balancing on ladders and machinery required while doing maintenance and installation of equipment.

Reaching: Frequently reaching from floor level to shoulder level done during 8-hour workday.

Grasping/Manipulating: Frequent use of hands and fingers while using hand tools and positioning of machine parts.

Equipment

Pumps, pneumatic values, AC drives, motor starters, separators, instrumentation, welding, grinding, butter equipment, fans, high pressure pumps, electrical troubleshooting, powder packaging equipment, PLC controls, gearboxes, pneumatic system, boilers, ammonia compressors, ammonia system, glycol system, cooling towers, air compressors, pasteurizers.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Employee will be subject to temperatures from 34 to 100 degrees. An employee may come into contact with the following: ammonia, acids, caustics, chlorines, paints, particles, oils and lubricants, steam, pneumatics, fumes and hazardous gases, sealing compounds.

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