Maintenance Mechanic

Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc.; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on Bonus: $10,000

Job summary

Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. is seeking a maintenance technician to install, maintain, and repair machinery and systems across our dairy processing facilities.

You will diagnose equipment issues, perform preventive maintenance, and ensure safe operation by following lockout/tagout procedures and safety regulations. The role requires reading work orders, basic math, and the ability to work with electrical and PLC components.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; 18+ years old.
• Ability to read and interpret work orders, safety rules, and maintenance instructions.
• Basic math for measurements and unit conversions.
• Willingness to perform a variety of maintenance tasks and follow safety procedures.

Responsibilities

• Install, maintain, and repair machinery, equipment, and pipes.
• Listen for machine anomalies and diagnose issues with operators or supervisors.
• Ensure energy sources are locked out before repairs; test after work.
• Perform lubricant, inspection, and preventive maintenance tasks as scheduled.
• Work with PLC/controls and electrical components as trained.

Skills

Read & interpret orders

Troubleshooting

Maintenance experience

Safety awareness

Education

High school diploma or GED

18+ years old

Tools

Respirator qualification

Confined Space training

Lock Out/Tag Out training

Job description

Join a team that nourishes life from farm to table! Upstate Niagara Cooperative, proudly owned by 200+ local family farms, is one of America’s largest and most stable dairy cooperatives. Guided by farmer- and employee-led values, we process and market high-quality milk, yogurt, dips, sour cream, cottage cheese, and more under our trusted brands: Upstate Farms®, Bison®, Milk for Life®, and Intense Milk®. Here, you’ll support sustainable farming, strong communities, and the mission to deliver fresh, local dairy to families every day.

Must be available for all shifts (1st,2nd,3rd). Must be available for weekends and holidays.

• Sign-on Bonus: $10,000**

SUMMARY

Installs, maintains, and repairs machinery, equipment, physical structures, and pipes, electrical and hydraulic systems by performing the following duties.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Listens for unusual sound from machines or equipment to detect malfunction and discusses machine operation variations with operators, supervisors or other maintenance workers to diagnose problem and repair machine.
• Required to have Respirator and Confine Space entry qualifications.
• Shuts down machine or equipment and “Locks Out” all energy sources before starting repairs. Installs new or repaired parts. Tests to ensure proper operation.
• Must have 70e and Lock Out/Tag Out Training.
• Cleans and lubricates shafts, bearings, gears, and other parts of machinery according to company procedures or schedules while maintaining Equipment PM’s.
• Sets up and operates machine tools such as; grinder, drill (to repair or fabricate machine parts), jigs, lathe and fixtures.
• Installs and repairs electrical wiring and electrical and/or electronic components on machinery and equipment.
• Lays out, assembles, installs, repairs, troubleshoots and maintains pipe systems and related hydraulic and pneumatic equipment.
• Repairs and replaces gauges, valves, pressure regulators, and related equipment.
• Must have experience in rebuilding pumps, motors as well as operating a cutting torch for welding/burning and rigging equipment.
• Maintains the chemical pumps and CIP Systems.
• Repairs and maintains the physical condition of the facility, e.g.:
• May have to fabricate and/or repair counters, benches, walls, partitions, racks and other structures as deemed necessary.
• Installs, programs and repairs automated machinery and equipment such as programmable controllers, pumps, separators, homogenizers, packaging machines, compressors, refrigeration systems and other equipment as needed and trained to repair.
• Must maintain a record of HVAC PM’s and operations.
• Required to be a Refrigeration System Operator (Classes I & II), operate Boilers and Air Compressors Stationary Engineers license is desirable.
• Troubleshoots PLC/Control System and calibrates chart recorder and the Level Probe and Pressure Sensor.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION And/or EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED) or one to three months related experience, training or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must be a minimum of 18 years of age.

Language Skills

• Ability to read and interpret work orders, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals.
• Ability to fill out routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively and convey information to other employees.

Mathematical Skills

• Ability to add, subtracts, multiply, and divides in all units of measure using whole numbers.

Reasoning Ability

• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls, reach with hands and arms above shoulder height, talk and hear, taste and smell. The employee may be required to climb ladders and/or balance.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 55 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works near moving mechanical equipment; occasionally works in high places and is exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. May have to work with or be exposed to cleaning chemicals containing sodium hydroxide or phosphoric acid requiring personal protective equipment, per company regulations. Worker will be exposed to cold temperatures below 40 degrees F. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Hearing protection is required.

WORK SCHEDULES

• The workweek could vary. May include Saturdays, Sundays or Holidays with a specific weekday or rotating day off. Four 10-hour days may also be scheduled.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT

• Working safely, following all company policies and complying with all Federal, State and County regulations is a condition of employment.

Pay: $29.64-$32.64/hr.*

• The hourly rate as indicated in the CBA. The posted pay rate reflects just one component of our total rewards package. Other components of the total rewards package may include participation in group health and/or dental insurance, retirement plan, paid time away from work, and paid holidays.

Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.