1st Shift Building Maintenance Technician

Great Lakes Cheese, Inc; Town of Wausau (WI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Great Lakes Cheese, Inc. is seeking a 1st Shift Building Maintenance Technician to ensure safe, reliable operation of the facility. The role covers maintenance of building systems, refrigeration processes, and production-support tasks to minimize downtime.

The technician will perform preventive maintenance, inspections, and repairs on ammonia systems, HVAC, and plant equipment, while coordinating with procurement, vendors, and EHS for safety and compliance.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic systems.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and repair building structures to ensure a safe, functional environment.
• Perform rounds and daily inspections on ammonia refrigeration equipment to ensure safe operation.
• Inspect and schedule repairs on mechanical equipment tied to ammonia and cooling systems.
• Operate and maintain air compressors and plant compressed air system.
• Operate and maintain equipment for the wastewater pre-treatment plant, including chemicals.
• Perform preventive maintenance on building utilities and plant equipment, and document rounds.
• Collaborate with vendors and contractors for repairs and inspections.
• Coordinate with EHS for required inspections of the facility, equipment, and grounds.
• Change filters on HVAC equipment and related systems.
• Respond to production requests for immediate line issue attention.
• Maintain records of preventive maintenance and create purchase requisitions for parts.
• Identify problem areas and implement permanent solutions.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Multi-tasking

Mechanical knowledge

Electrical knowledge

Welding

Problem solving

Education

High School diploma or GED

Associate’s degree or technical school

Tools

SAP

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

1st Shift Building Maintenance Technician

Ensures safe, reliable and efficient operation of the facility by performing building maintenance, utility support, and equipment repair while also responding to production needs. This position maintains internal and external building systems, supports preventive maintenance activities, troubleshoots facility and production equipment issues, and partners with production, maintenance, EHS, vendors, and contractors to minimize downtime and maintain a safe, compliant, and well-kept work environment.

Job Responsibilities

• Maintain and repair all internal and external building structures, including walls, ceilings, flooring, doors, windows, roofing, exterior surfaces, and facility finishes to ensure a safe, functional, and well-kept environment.
• Performs rounds and daily inspections on ammonia refrigeration equipment (compressors, condensers, and pumps) to ensure safe and effective performance of the system.
• Inspect, and schedule repair on mechanical equipment such as pumps, compressors, filling and processing equipment tied to the ammonia and related cooling systems.
• Operate and maintain air compressors and plant compressed air system.
• Operate and maintain equipment associated with the wastewater pre-treatment plant, including WWTP chemicals.
• Perform preventative maintenance procedures on all building utilities and plant equipment, including ammonia. Accurately document daily rounds and PM’s completed.
• Work closely with vendors and contractors to conduct repairs and periodic inspections.
• Work closely with EHS to document required periodic inspections of the facility, equipment and grounds.
• Change filters on HVAC equipment, air compressors, hydraulic system, product blowers, etc.
• Respond to production requests for immediate attention to production line issues and problems.
• Maintain records of preventative maintenance.
• Create requisitions of parts and supplies to maintain equipment.
• Identify problem areas and address with permanent solutions.

Required Education and Experience

• High School diploma or GED.
• Two years of maintenance experience or more.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks, troubleshoot and problem solve.
• Basic understanding of mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
• Ability to weld. (TIG, MIG and Stick).
• Must be legally authorized to work for a company in the U.S. without sponsorship.
• Must be able to work without relocation.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Associate’s degree or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school.
• 2 years of food manufacturing experience and/or training or more.
• Experience working with ammonia refrigeration systems / PSM.
• SAP experience.

Working Conditions

Frequent lifting, transporting, and staging of material that weighs up to 55 pounds from floor-to-waist, waist-to-shoulder, or shoulder-to-overhead.

Frequent pushing/pulling of material on carts.

Off shift work, weekends, and overtime required.

Powered industrial vehicles, such as forklifts/tow motors or scissor lifts, are required in order to accomplish daily tasks in a variety of spaces, including spaces with limited space and low lighting.

Repetitive work in a fast-paced production environment with a temperature range from 30 – 100 degrees F.

Troubleshooting, repair, and preventive maintenance may require bending/kneeling/crawling while handling diagnostic devices and tools in order to access the equipment.

Various types of PPE are required to prevent exposure to hazardous materials, to reduce the risk of injury, and/or to protect the quality of our product.

Work is performed in a variety of areas, at different heights, where it may be necessary to ascend/descend stairs & ladders.

EEOC & Disclaimer

Great Lakes Cheese is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.