Sr. Utilities Planner

The Swan Food Company; Sioux Falls, Northern (SD, KY); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Time off programs

Retirement offerings

Total Rewards package

Job summary

CJ Schwan’s is seeking a Senior Utilities Planner to lead utilities planning and scheduling, focusing on reducing downtime through preventive maintenance and efficient work order planning.

You will collaborate across Operations, Maintenance and Engineering to align with production schedules, interpret technical drawings, and ensure safety and regulatory compliance. The role offers a competitive salary and a broad benefits package.

Qualifications

• Associate degree (two-year technical) or equivalent combo of education and experience.
• SAP CMMS experience preferred.
• Minimum of two years in refrigeration/boiler maintenance, utilities planning, or manufacturing operations.
• Strong collaboration and communication across cross‑functional teams.
• Commitment to safety, food safety standards, and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Plan, prioritize, and evaluate maintenance work orders with production schedules.
• Coordinate maintenance with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering and other departments.
• Interpret blueprints, schematics, manuals, and drawings to scope work.
• Prepare parts, tools, materials, and job kits for maintenance.
• Estimate labor hours and materials; manage work orders and costs in CMMS.
• Develop PM programs for all plant equipment including OSHA inspections.
• Maintain detailed equipment history and failure trends.
• Identify improvements to reliability, safety and efficiency.
• Support continuous improvement with reliability and engineering teams.

Skills

Team collaboration

Safety compliance

Cross‑functional coordination

Maintenance planning

SAP CMMS experience

Education

Associate degree (two-year technical)

Tools

SAP CMMS

Job description

Senior Utilities Planner - Day Shift

At CJ Schwan’s, we don’t just make food — we help create moments that matter. From kids devouring pizza after soccer practice, to students laughing over dumplings in a cafeteria, to families enjoying pie during the holidays, our team members play an important role in bringing those everyday moments to life. Our portfolio includes iconic pizzas, global flavors and timeless desserts from brands like Red Baron®, bibigo®, Tony’s®, Big Daddy’s®, Freschetta®, Pagoda®, Edwards® and Mrs. Smith’s®. Enjoyed in homes, schools, restaurants and just about everywhere people shop and eat, our products reflect a commitment to quality, innovation and the power of food to bring people together.

Our brand-new, 360,000-square-foot Asian-style food manufacturing facility in Sioux Falls, SD, is taking shape— and we’re ramping up hiring for key roles. This is your chance to be part of something from the ground up. We’re building a strong, experienced team ready to bring this new site to life and shape its future together.

Position Summary

The Utilities Planner –is responsible for leading Utilities planning and scheduling activities to support reliable plant operations. This role focuses on reducing equipment downtime through effective preventative maintenance practices, efficient work order planning, and cross‑functional coordination. The Utilities Planner ensures utilities activities are executed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with food safety and regulatory requirements.

What You Will Do:

• Plan, prioritize, and evaluate maintenance work orders to ensure feasibility, required approvals, and alignment with production schedules.
• Coordinate maintenance activities with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and other departments to minimize production interruptions.
• Review and interpret technical documentation including blueprints, schematics, manuals, and drawings to accurately scope maintenance work.
• Prepare and stage all required parts, tools, materials, and job kits to support efficient and timely maintenance execution.
• Estimate labor hours and material requirements, assign resources to work orders, and maintain accurate maintenance and cost records within the CMMS.
• Develop, schedule, and manage preventative maintenance (PM) programs for all plant equipment, including required OSHA and safety‑related inspections.
• Maintain detailed equipment history files, documenting completed work, labor hours, parts consumption, and failure trends.
• Identify and recommend equipment, procedural, or process improvements to improve reliability, safety, and maintenance efficiency.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by analyzing maintenance data and partnering with reliability and engineering teams.

What You Will Bring:

• Associate (two‑year) technical degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience required.
• SAP CMMS experience preferred.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in refrigeration or boiler maintenance, utilities planning, or manufacturing operations.
• Working knowledge of utilities planning and scheduling best practices in an industrial or food manufacturing environment.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills with the ability to work effectively across cross‑functional teams and shifts.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, food safety standards, and regulatory compliance.

What We Offer:

The base salary range for this position is $75,000 to $125,000 annually, with eligibility for a 10% annual incentive bonus based on organizational performance. The range reflects factors such as experience, skills, education, certifications, and location, and starting salary may fall anywhere within the stated range.

• Beyond base salary, we offer a competitive Total Rewards package designed to support your overall well‑being, including comprehensive health benefits, time off programs, and retirement and financial offerings.

CJ Schwan's and its employing subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity Employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, age, race, color, religion, gender, veteran status, national origin, or any other characteristic protected by law. CJ Schwan's Company also provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities or based on a sincerely held religious belief, in accordance with applicable laws. If you need to inquire about an accommodation or need assistance with completing the application process, please email [e-mail].