Utilities Technician

Daisy Brand LLC; Boone (IA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

10% premium pay for off-hours work

15% premium pay for weekend work

Job summary

Daisy Brand is launching a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility in Boone, Iowa. The Utility Maintenance Technician will oversee startup training, operate and maintain complex utility systems, and supervise projects during shifts to ensure top plant performance.

Travel for training and startup activities is required during the initial period. The role emphasizes food-safety, reliability, and collaboration with Engineering to achieve smooth plant commissioning and ongoing operations.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years’ experience with industrial ammonia, steam, electrical systems.
• Boiler/ammonia certifications preferred (RETA, Boiler Operator).
• Excellent electrical controls understanding and troubleshooting.
• Experience maintaining/rebuilding/replacing mechanical components (pumps, motors, VFDs, valves, bearings).
• Experience with Allen Bradley PLCs (5, 500, 5000).
• Strong Office Computer Skills (Word, Excel, MS Project).
• Experience with Food and Beverage Manufacturing is preferred.
• Knowledge and understanding of plant utility equipment: boilers, air compressors, water systems including RO, ammonia refrigeration, and electrical distribution.

Responsibilities

• Daily rounds of all utility machinery and recording key operating parameters.
• Monitor systems using plant automation software to ensure proper operation.
• Complete preventive maintenance work orders and report condition of equipment.
• Repair and complete building/utility system work orders and coordinate with stakeholders.
• Lead emergency response to plant outages and restore utilities quickly.
• Assist Engineering on maintenance projects and develop project scopes and parts lists.

Skills

Ammonia systems

Steam systems

Electrical systems

Electrical controls troubleshooting

Communication skills

Problem solving

Teamwork

Tools

Allen Bradley PLCs

Job description

Position Summary

Daisy Brand, a fifth-generation family-owned dairy company and the maker of America’s favorite sour cream and cottage cheese, is opening a brand-new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Boone, Iowa. As a member of the start-up team, you will complete paid, structured training at our established plants nationwide, work side by side with Engineering during installation and commissioning, and step into the new facility on day one already knowing it better than anyone.

Position Summary

Daisy Brand, a fifth-generation family-owned dairy company and the maker of America’s favorite sour cream and cottage cheese, is opening a brand-new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Boone, Iowa. As a member of the start-up team, you will complete paid, structured training at our established plants nationwide, work side by side with Engineering during installation and commissioning, and step into the new facility on day one already knowing it better than anyone. The Utility Maintenance Technician manages the operations, maintenance, repair and troubleshooting of all plant utility systems. Utility systems include but are not limited to low pressure steam supply/return, ammonia refrigeration, compressed air, wastewater, water purification, and various cooling/heating water loops. The technician will be responsible for daily oversight of the utility systems during their shift while completing daily rounds, PM, scheduled and emergency work orders. The Technician will also be responsible for completing/helping to complete projects scheduled during their shift. This may include supervising subcontractors (plumbing, welding, roofing, electrical, and insulation). In addition to utility systems, the technician will be responsible for building related issues that arise during their shift, or must be repaired during that time. This may include, but is not limited to, restroom facilities, lighting, HVAC, roofing, flooring, plumbing as required. The Utility Maintenance Technician assures that the building and utilities serving the production process operate at the highest efficiencies, assuring food safety and quality across the plant.

Plant Start-Up Expectations

• Start-Up Crew: As part of the start-up crew, you will train hands-on at our established plants – approximately two or more weeks of company-paid travel per month during the first twelve months.
• Plant Opening Team: Candidates unable to travel as part of the start-up crew may still be considered for offers with a later start date, joining as the plant opens with minimal to no travel required.

During the plant start-up period, your schedule will vary based on training and commissioning needs, including travel as outlined above. Upon the facility reaching normal operations, your schedule is expected to transition to your long-term agreed upon schedule. All travel, overtime, and schedule expectations for training and long-term will be confirmed in writing in any offer letters. Daisy Brand will communicate schedule changes as far in advance as possible.

The start-up period offers significant overtime earning potential. Once the plant reaches steady-state operation, the team averages 45 hours per week with a focus on work-life balance.

Travel Expectations

To support the successful startup of a new manufacturing facility, this position requires some travel for training, knowledge transfer, and operational readiness activities. The selected candidate must be willing and able to travel periodically as needed prior to plant startup. Travel may include extended stays to receive hands-on training, participate in equipment commissioning activities, and teach plant processes and procedures. Weekend travel and work may be required based on training schedules, project timelines, and business needs. Employees will be expected to maintain a flexible schedule throughout the startup and training period. Business travel expenses, including transportation, lodging, and meals, will be paid for or reimbursed in accordance with Daisy Brand's travel and expense reimbursement policies. This temporary travel commitment is critical to ensuring employees are fully prepared to support safe and successful plant operations.

Key Responsibilities

Daily Rounds

• Daily observation of all utility machinery.
• Daily recording of key operating parameters.
• Frequent checks using plant automation software to ensure systems are running properly.

Completing Work Orders

• Preventive Maintenance work orders will be scheduled on a regular basis for both utility and building systems. Technician will need to complete these and observe/report the condition of the equipment and schedule any necessary additional work
• Regular work orders will be scheduled as need to complete repairs on both building and utility systems. These may be requested by the technician or other plant personnel. The technician will need to be able to communicate with those requesting work to ensure the work is completed to their satisfaction.
• Emergency work orders will often be initiated and completed by the technician in response to a machine/system failure that is in need of immediate attention. The technician will be responsible determining the root cause quickly and efficiently and form an action plan to get the machine/system in working order.

Project Assistance

• Assist Utility Engineer and Plant Engineer as needed to complete building/utility maintenance projects.
• Develop scope, parts list, and other planning for projects assigned by the Engineering group.

Emergency Response

• Perform as a leader during/after plant power outages restoring plant utilities as quickly as possible.
• Provide guidance to plant in the event of an ammonia/steam release.
• Diagnose and repair building/utility systems quickly to restore plant operations.
• Follow up with Utility Engineer regarding cause, symptoms, and remedy.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications And Requirements

• Minimum of 7 years’ experience with industrial ammonia, steam, electrical systems. Excellent Formal and Informal Communication Skills, Professional Attitude, and Professional Appearance.
• Boiler/ammonia certifications preferred.(RETA, Boiler Operator).
• Excellent electrical controls understanding and troubleshooting required.
• Experience maintaining/rebuilding/replacing mechanical components (pumps, motors, VFDs, valves, bearings).
• Experience with Allen Bradley PLCs (5, 500, 5000).
• Strong Office Computer Skills (Word, Excel, MS Project).
• Experience with Food and Beverage Manufacturing is preferred.
• Knowledge and understanding of plant utility equipment. Boilers, air compressors, water systems including reverse osmosis, ammonia refrigeration, and electrical distribution.

Premium Pay

• 10% premium pay for off-hours work.
• 15% premium pay for weekend work.

Company Overview

Daisy Brand is the market leader in two billion-dollar categories – sour cream and cottage cheese. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, we’ve earned the trust of Americans through consistency and quality across five generations as a family-owned company. Our success has been guided by a simple belief: good food, much like good work, starts with integrity. That mindset continues to shape how we make our products, run our business, and support the people behind the brand.

At Daisy Brand, tradition and innovation go hand in hand. We invest thoughtfully in advancements that strengthen our products and operations, supporting responsible, long-term growth. In 2025, we broke ground on a new manufacturing facility in Boone, Iowa, further strengthening our supply chain alongside our established plants in Garland, Texas; Casa Grande, Arizona; and Wooster, Ohio. Looking ahead, our state-of-the-art Innovation Center, opening in 2026, will bring together research, food science, culinary, and technology teams to shape the future of our products. Recent work from these teams includes the development of the squeeze pouch and new line of dips, reflecting an intentional approach to modernization while staying true to the quality our consumers expect.

At the heart of Daisy Brand is its people. The company is intentionally structured to be collaborative and accessible, with an entrepreneurial mindset encouraged at every level. We hire with the goal of building long-term careers and provide an environment where employees are trusted to think critically, take initiative, and continue learning. Growth here isn’t accidental; it’s actively supported and shared.

To support our employees and their families, Daisy Brand offers a people-first benefits package that includes:

• A no deductible, $0premium option for employee only medical coverage
• Access to virtual healthcare and wellness programs
• A 401(k) program with company match, plus weekly safe harbor and annual profit-sharing contributions
• Company paid short and long-term disability coverage and 2x annual salary in life and AD&D insurance
• Four weeks of paid time off, plus 20 hours of floating holidays in your first full year of employment
• Annual rollover and payout options for any unused paid time off
• Paid time for volunteering and community involvement
• Tuition reimbursement and ongoing professional development opportunities
• Fitness and wellness incentives?