Maintenance Professional

Valley Queen Cheese Factory, Inc.; Milbank (SD); On-site; USD 52,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company contribution

Profit sharing plan

Paid time off (PTO)

Health insurance

Job summary

Valley Queen Cheese Factory, Inc. is seeking a skilled Maintenance Professional to keep our production and facility equipment running at peak performance. You’ll troubleshoot, repair, and maintain mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems to ensure smooth operations and minimal downtime.

You’ll work on food-processing equipment, read manuals and work orders, perform inspections, respond to maintenance calls, and uphold safety, quality, and regulatory standards.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in a related technical discipline or an equivalent combination of education and maintenance experience.
• Proven mechanical aptitude with the ability to troubleshoot and repair equipment.
• Hands-on maintenance experience in a manufacturing or industrial setting required.
• Preferred: knowledge of ammonia refrigeration systems and welding experience.

Responsibilities

• Install, maintain, and repair food processing and production equipment.
• Diagnose and fix mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic issues.
• Read and interpret manuals and work orders to complete service tasks.
• Perform routine plant inspections and address potential issues proactively.
• Respond quickly to maintenance calls to keep production moving.
• Maintain utility systems to prevent downtime.
• Keep accurate records for safety, quality, and compliance.
• Follow all safety rules, PPE requirements, and food safety standards.
• Participate in required safety and quality training.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

Skills

Mechanical troubleshooting

Electrical troubleshooting

Pneumatic systems

Hydraulic systems

Basic computer skills

Problem solving

Team player

Education

Associate degree or technical equivalent

Job description

We’re looking for skilled Maintenance Professionalto keep our production and facility equipment running at peak performance. In this role, you’ll troubleshoot, repair, and maintain mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems to ensure smooth operations and zero downtime.

What You’ll Do

• Install, maintain, and repair food processing and production equipment.
• Diagnose and fix mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic issues.
• Read and interpret manuals and work orders to complete service tasks.
• Perform routine plant inspections and address potential issues proactively.
• Respond quickly to maintenance calls to keep production moving.
• Maintain utility systems to prevent downtime.
• Keep accurate records for safety, quality, and compliance.
• Follow all safety rules, PPE requirements, and food safety standards.
• Participate in required safety and quality training.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

What We’re Looking For

• Experience: Hands-on maintenance experience in a manufacturing or industrial setting.
• Skills: Strong mechanical and electrical troubleshooting skills; ability to work with pneumatic and hydraulic systems.
• Tech Savvy: Basic computer skills for work orders and documentation.
• Problem Solver: Ability to think on your feet and resolve issues quickly.
• Team Player: Good communication and time management skills.

Required Qualifications

• Associate degree in a related technical discipline or an equivalent combination of education and maintenance experience.
• Proven mechanical aptitude with the ability to troubleshoot and repair equipment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of ammonia refrigeration systems.
• Welding experience.

Schedule

• Day shifts starting at 5 AM on a modified 4-1-2 scheduled rotation

Compensation

• Starting base pay range: $24.95-$31.18 per hour, based on education, experience, and qualifications.
• Up to 14% additional pay for night shift
• Double-time pay for Sundays and Holidays
• 401(k) with up to 5% company contribution
• Profit sharing plan
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Competitive insurance benefits
• Work Environment: Shop and plant setting with exposure to moving parts, vibration, temperature changes, and loud noise.
• Travel: Less than 5%.
• Other Requirements: High school diploma/GED, valid driver’s license, minimum age 18.