Relief Maintenance Technician - Monday-Friday, 6A-2P

Red Star Yeast Company LLC; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 62,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

401k with 4% match

11 paid holidays

80 hours vacation time

48 hours sick time annually

Life Insurance

Job summary

Lesaffre is seeking a Relief Maintenance Technician to support the Red Star Yeast campus in Cedar Rapids, IA. The role focuses on maintaining and repairing plant electrical and mechanical systems, including motors, control panels, VFDs, piping, and instrumentation.

You will work under the Maintenance Supervisor and cover for other technicians as needed. The position requires a degree or equivalent maintenance experience, familiarity with PLCs, electrical diagrams, and CMMS tools (MAPCON).

Qualifications

• Degree or apprenticeship in Industrial Maintenance required or equivalent experience.
• 3–5 years in industrial maintenance if no degree.
• Experience with PLCs and electrical diagrams.
• Ability to operate hand and power tools and forklift.
• Commitment to safety culture and procedures.
• Proficient with CMMS and reporting tools.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates a safety-first culture by following all safety protocols.
• Maintain and repair mechanical and electrical equipment across plant sites.
• Maintain plant motors, control panels, VFDs, HVAC, lighting, and piping systems.
• Calibrate and repair probes, sensors, flow meters and transmitters.
• Perform daily rounds and inspect critical equipment for proper operation.
• Carry out weekly preventive maintenance and document tasks in CMMS.
• Assist with electrical upgrade projects and control panel construction.
• Troubleshoot equipment using PLC interface software.
• Communicate progress using MAPCON and MS Outlook.
• Fill in for other Maintenance Technicians as needed.

Skills

PLC logic reading

Electrical diagnostics

Mechanical systems knowledge

Hand and power tool proficiency

Forklift operation

Work with minimal supervision

Education

Industrial Maintenance degree or related apprenticeship

Equivalent work experience (3–5 years)

Tools

MAPCON CMMS

MS Outlook

PLC interface software

Job description

Who we are

Lesaffre is a key global player in the fermentation of microorganisms (yeasts and bacteria) for baking, taste, healthcare and industrial biotechnology. This story began more than 170 years ago in northern France, and, thanks to our pioneer spirit and our innovative approach, we are constantly developing. Lesaffre's global presence includes 11,000 employees from 96 nationalities and a 3-billion euro turnover. We work with customers, partners and researchers to develop essential nutrients and bio actives that strengthen human health, optimize animal well-being and improve plant nutrition. This role is within our Red Star Yeast team. Red Star delivers a range of high-performing yeast and related products that empower bakers and food manufacturers to create consistent, flavorful, and high-quality baked goods. Backed by Lesaffre and Archer Daniels Midland and supported by modern manufacturing facilities in Cedar Rapids, IA and Dothan, AL, our team blends global expertise with local reliability to bring trusted, innovative yeast solutions to the U.S. and Canadian markets.

What we offer

• Day one healthcare coverage (Medical, Dental, & Vision)
• 401k with 4% match & additional discretionary employer contribution
• 11 paid holidays
• 80 hours of vacation time and 48 hours of sick time annually
• Life insurance, AD&D, Employee Assistance Program, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and more!

What you bring to the table

The primary purpose of the Relief Maintenance Technician is to maintain and repair any and all plant electrical equipment, control instruments, mechanical equipment and structure. They also assist in the construction and installation of plant electrical modifications or equipment additions as assigned by the Maintenance Supervisor. This position will cover for other Maintenance Technicians and work normally scheduled hours (M-F, 6a-2p) when they are not covering.

What you’ll do as a Relief Maintenance Tech

• Demonstrates an unwavering commitment to Lesaffre's safety-first culture by strictly following all safety protocols and participating in required safety programs
• Responsible for the upkeep and repair of all mechanical and electrical equipment at all Lesaffre plants on the Red Star campus including Red Star Yeast, Bio Springer, Pilot Plant, and the Blending Facility.
• Maintain plant motors, motor control centers, control panels, VFD units, air conditioning units, refrigeration units, office and plant lighting, transformers, motor controls, capacitor bank systems, and other equipment as assigned.
• Responsible for the calibration, maintenance, and repair of all plant instruments including, but not limited to, pH probes, conductivity probes, temperature probes, flow meters, pressure transmitters, level transmitters, and oxygen probes, etc.
• Perform daily rounds throughout the plant and check critical instruments or mechanical equipment for proper operation.
• Perform weekly preventive maintenance on assigned equipment as scheduled by the Maintenance Supervisor or his designee when absent. Fill out report sheets on PM task that have been assigned.
• Work on electrical upgrade projects and equipment modifications that may involve the construction of control panels, running of reasonable conduit routes, and pulling conductors.
• Troubleshoot electrical equipment with the use of PLC interface software.
• Maintain and repair all mechanical equipment, to include, but not limited to, pumps, compressors, blowers, separators, automated packaging equipment, etc.
• Maintain and repair piping systems, to include but not limited to valves, fittings, hoses, etc.
• Assist other technicians with inspections and troubleshooting of the plant equipment making necessary repairs as requested.
• Complete and document all necessary preventive maintenance work through the Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS).
• Communicate progress on assigned duties and general topics through various software programs including, but not limited to, MAPCON and MS Outlook.
• Fill in for other Maintenance Technicians as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Required qualifications

• Degree in Industrial Maintenance, related field, or applicable apprenticeship program required.
• In place of degree, equivalent work experience is acceptable with a minimum of 3 to 5 years in field.
• Experience working in an Industrial Maintenance setting is preferred.
• The Maintenance Technician must understand and be able to use complicated test equipment for diagnosis of hard to find problems with electrical circuits and equipment.
• Must be able to read and understand PLC logic and electrical diagrams or schematics.
• Must be able to locate, read, and comprehend equipment manuals and use the troubleshooting guide in manuals to resolve problems.
• Must be willing and able to use a computer on a daily basis.
• Must be familiar with different types of hand tools and be able to operate different types of power tools and lift equipment.
• Must possess basic mechanical skills and knowledge of mechanical systems.
• Must be mechanically inclined to determine how a piece of equipment functions.
• Required to be trained on and able to operate forklifts, man lifts, production equipment and power tools.
• Requires ability to work under minimal supervision.
• Able to handle critical decision‑making responsibilities and deal with mental stress from occasional extended worked hours outside of regularly scheduled shift.

Lesaffre provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.