Tech U Program – Apprenticeship Program

Kraft Heinz, Inc.; Springfield (MO); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Kraft Heinz, Inc. offers a 12-month Tech U apprenticeship to develop hands-on technical talent for safe, reliable manufacturing operations.

Apprentices split time between Kraft Heinz facilities and the designated education partner, learning equipment start-up, shutdown, adjustments, and changeovers along with basic maintenance. During the program you will perform equipment inspections, sanitation activities, and quality checks, applying root-cause thinking to production challenges.

Qualifications

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• Meet all academic prerequisites and enrollment requirements established by the designated education partner.
• Successfully enroll in the required apprenticeship coursework.
• Successfully complete applicable Kraft Heinz apprenticeship selection steps and assessments.
• Demonstrate an interest in developing mechanical, technical, and manufacturing skills.
• Demonstrate a willingness to learn, solve problems, and develop new technical capabilities.
• Be willing and able to complete both classroom and hands-on training.
• Maintain a minimum C grade average throughout the program.
• Demonstrate reliable attendance and punctuality.
• Be willing to work a flexible schedule based on training and operational requirements.
• Follow all Kraft Heinz safety, food safety, quality, attendance, and workplace requirements.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate manufacturing and production equipment.
• Learn equipment start-up, shutdown, adjustment, and changeover procedures.
• Perform routine equipment adjustments and basic repairs as capabilities develop.
• Conduct equipment inspections and identify potential mechanical or operational concerns.
• Perform basic equipment maintenance, including cleaning, inspection, lubrication, and adjustment.
• Support preventative maintenance, equipment overhauls, modifications, and installations.
• Build an understanding of equipment reliability and how maintenance practices impact production performance.
• Monitor equipment and production processes to support quality, productivity, and minimize downtime.
• Apply problem-solving and root-cause thinking to equipment and production challenges.
• Support continuous improvement efforts focused on safety, quality, reliability, effectiveness, and cost.
• Perform sanitation activities and follow established sanitation standards.
• Complete applicable quality checks, including GMP, HACCP, weights, and other plant-specific requirements.

Job description

Throughout the apprenticeship, you will progressively develop the skills needed to: Safely operate manufacturing and production equipment. Learn equipment start-up, shutdown, adjustment, and changeover procedures. Develop structured troubleshooting and diagnostic skills to identify equipment and production issues. Perform routine equipment adjustments and basic repairs as capabilities develop. Conduct equipment inspections and identify potential mechanical or operational concerns. Perform basic equipment maintenance, including cleaning, inspection, lubrication, and adjustment. Support preventative maintenance, equipment overhauls, modifications, and installations. Build an understanding of equipment reliability and how maintenance practices impact production performance. Monitor equipment and production processes to support quality, productivity, and minimize downtime. Apply problem-solving and root-cause thinking to equipment and production challenges. Support continuous improvement efforts focused on safety, quality, reliability, effectiveness, and cost. Perform sanitation activities and follow established sanitation standards. Complete applicable quality checks, including GMP, HACCP, weights, and other plant-specific requirements. Follow Kraft Heinz safety, environmental, food safety, and quality standards. Identify and report situations that could impact employee safety, food safety, product quality, or equipment performance. Apply concepts learned through classroom instruction to hands-on manufacturing assignments. Complete required training, assessments, coursework, and program milestones. Perform other duties and training assignments as needed. Tech U combines classroom instruction with hands-on manufacturing experience. Apprentices will divide their training between the Kraft Heinz facility and the designated education partner. Schedule flexibility is required. Training may occur on alternate shifts to provide exposure to production line shutdowns, sanitation, start-ups, equipment maintenance, troubleshooting, and changeovers. Apprentices are expected to report to both Kraft Heinz and the designated education partner at the required times and locations. Applicable Kraft Heinz attendance, conduct, safety, and program expectations must be maintained throughout the apprenticeship.

Recipe for Success

Candidates must:

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• Meet all academic prerequisites and enrollment requirements established by the designated education partner.
• Successfully enroll in the required apprenticeship coursework.
• Successfully complete applicable Kraft Heinz apprenticeship selection steps and assessments.
• Demonstrate an interest in developing mechanical, technical, and manufacturing skills.
• Demonstrate a willingness to learn, solve problems, and develop new technical capabilities.
• Be willing and able to complete both classroom and hands-on training.
• Maintain a minimum C grade average throughout the program.
• Demonstrate reliable attendance and punctuality.
• Be willing to work a flexible schedule based on training and operational requirements.
• Follow all Kraft Heinz safety, food safety, quality, attendance, and workplace requirements.

Candidates with transferable skills or experience in the following areas are encouraged to apply

• Manufacturing or production
• Mechanical or maintenance work
• Automotive
• Construction
• Warehousing or distribution
• Military technical occupations
• Technical or vocational education
• Skilled trades
• Experience working with tools, machinery, or mechanical equipment

This position operates within a manufacturing environment. Specific requirements may vary by plant, department, and production area. Lift and move materials weighing up to 50 pounds. Stand and walk for extended periods. Bend, reach, climb, push, pull, and perform other physical activities associated with manufacturing work. Safely work around manufacturing equipment and machinery. Use required tools and personal protective equipment. Work in environments that may be hot, cold, wet, noisy, or temperature controlled. Work overtime, weekends, alternate shifts, or other schedules based on training and production needs.

The goal of Tech U is to develop skilled technical talent with the knowledge and hands-on capabilities needed to support safe, reliable, and effective manufacturing operations. Successful completion of the 12-month apprenticeship requires participants to meet established academic, attendance, safety, performance, and technical competency expectations. By the end of the program, successful apprentices are expected to demonstrate increased technical proficiency and the ability to apply structured troubleshooting, diagnostics, maintenance, and problem-solving practices in a manufacturing environment. Upon successful completion, apprentices may be eligible to pursue available Line Tech or other applicable skilled technical opportunities based on position availability, plant needs, applicable posting or bidding processes, and collective bargaining requirements where applicable. Position, department, and shift availability following completion of the program will be based on business and operational needs.