Maintenance Technician - 1st Shift (6am-2pm)

Lactalis Heritage Dairy Inc; Wausau Junction (WI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Lactalis Heritage Dairy Inc. is hiring a Mechanic Level 1 based in Wausau to support safe, reliable plant operations through preventive maintenance and repairs across mechanical, electrical, and utility systems.

The role requires a high school diploma or GED, with preferred technical training or an associate degree and at least one year of maintenance experience in food manufacturing or dairy processing. SAP knowledge is a plus.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required
• Associate degree, technical certification, or related maintenance training preferred
• Minimum of one year of manufacturing maintenance experience preferred
• Food manufacturing or dairy processing maintenance experience preferred

Responsibilities

• Perform routine and preventive maintenance on production, packaging, utility, and facility equipment to support safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations.
• Troubleshoot basic mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, welding, machining, and utility‑related issues; identify root causes and complete repairs in a timely manner.
• Use SAP and related maintenance systems to review work orders, document work performed, record parts used, and support accurate maintenance history.
• Apply sanitary design principles and Good Manufacturing Practices when repairing, installing, or modifying equipment to protect product quality and food safety.
• Comply with all plant safety, environmental, quality, sanitation, GMP, HACCP, allergen, traceability, CCP, and hold‑process requirements.
• Read and interpret electrical schematics, blueprints, and equipment manuals to diagnose issues and complete repairs safely and effectively.
• Use maintenance tools and diagnostic equipment, including laptops, PLC troubleshooting tools, DVMs, megohmmeters, and other electrical testing devices, within the scope of training and qualification.

Job description

Description

Ready for more than just a job? Build a career with purpose.

At Lactalis in the USA, we’re committed to providing meaningful opportunities for our people to learn, grow, and thrive—whether you’re just starting your journey with us or looking to take the next step in your career. From day one, we offer the tools and support to help you succeed.

As the world leader in dairy, Lactalis is a family‑owned company with over 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals across the globe. Each day, we’re proud to produce award‑winning dairy products that bring people together.

In the US, we proudly offer an unrivaled house of beloved brands, including Galbani® Italian cheeses and ricotta, Président® specialty cheeses and butters, Kraft® natural and grated cheeses, Breakstone’s® cottage cheese, Cracker Barrel®, Black Diamond® cheddar, and Parmalat® milk. Our yogurt portfolio includes siggi’s®, Stonyfield Organic®, Brown Cow™, Oui®, Yoplait®, Go‑Gurt®, :ratio®, Green Mountain Creamery®, and Mountain High®, along with a growing family of ethnic favorites like Karoun®, Gopi®, and Arz®.

At Lactalis, we live by our core values—Ambition, Engagement, and Simplicity. We foster a workplace where innovation thrives, diverse perspectives are celebrated, and everyone’s unique background and ideas are valued.

Even if you don’t meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply. We want to hear about your PASSION, your STORY, and how your EXPERTISE can help us shape the future of dairy.

From your PASSION to ours

Lactalis Heritage Dairy, part of the Lactalis family of companies, is currently hiring a Mechanic Level 1 based in Wausau.

This role supports safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations by performing preventive maintenance, basic troubleshooting, and repairs across mechanical, electrical, welding, machining, utility, and facility systems.

From your EXPERTISE to ours

Key responsibilities for this position include:

• Perform routine and preventive maintenance on production, packaging, utility, and facility equipment to support safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations.


• Troubleshoot basic mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, welding, machining, and utility‑related issues; identify root causes and complete repairs in a timely manner.


• Use SAP and related maintenance systems to review work orders, document work performed, record parts used, and support accurate maintenance history.


• Apply sanitary design principles and Good Manufacturing Practices when repairing, installing, or modifying equipment to protect product quality and food safety.


• Comply with all plant safety, environmental, quality, sanitation, GMP, HACCP, allergen, traceability, CCP, and hold‑process requirements.


• Follow accident prevention, emergency response, spill response, confined space, fall protection, fire protection, and lockout/tagout procedures as required.


• Read and interpret electrical schematics, blueprints, and equipment manuals to diagnose issues and complete repairs safely and effectively.


• Use maintenance tools and diagnostic equipment, including laptops, PLC troubleshooting tools, DVMs, megohmmeters, and other electrical testing devices, within the scope of training and qualification.


• Support utility systems including steam, ammonia refrigeration, vacuum, compressed air, boilers, heat exchangers, traps, condensate pumps, and related distribution systems.


• Safely perform welding and fabrication tasks, including preparation, penetration, fit‑up, and clean‑up, while maintaining sanitary and safety standards.


• Understand basic plant power distribution and alarm panel functions and respond appropriately to equipment, utility, and facility alarms.


• Partner with Maintenance, Engineering, Finance, Quality, Production, and other departments to identify and support process improvement opportunities.


• Use OEE and equipment performance information to support troubleshooting, reduce downtime, and improve operational reliability.


• Complete required ammonia operator training and support the PSM Coordinator in accordance with company policy and applicable OSHA requirements.


• Train or assist other employees once proficient in assigned duties, equipment, and procedures.


• Perform other duties as assigned by the Team Leader or management to support efficient business operations.

Requirements

From your STORY to ours

Qualified applicants will contribute the following:

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED required; associate degree, technical certification, or related maintenance training preferred.


• Minimum of one year of manufacturing maintenance experience preferred.


• Food manufacturing or dairy processing maintenance experience preferred.


• Equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.


• Ability to safely operate a motorized hand truck and powered industrial truck; training will be provided as required.


• Ability to wear required PPE, including hearing protection, steel-toed shoes, bump cap or hard hat, and sanitation gear.


• Strong commitment to personal safety, food safety, quality, and compliance with plant procedures.

At Lactalis, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Program with a variety of affordable benefits and coverage options. We support insurance costs significantly, contribute generously to retirement plans, and offer Paid Time Off from day one. We are committed to your professional growth, providing training and development opportunities, including Education Reimbursement. Join us and grow your career.

Lactalis is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally-recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities. Further, any division of the Company that is an Aff…