Utilities Technician | 1st Shift | Wilmington, NC

Fedupfoods; Lake Forest (NC); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance (80–90% of premium)

Group Term Life Insurance

Short-Term Disability

Long-Term Disability

Voluntary Dental, Vision, Life & Acc…

401(k) with Employer Match

9 Paid Holidays, PTO & Sick Time

Job summary

FedUp Foods is seeking a dedicated Utility Technician to maintain wastewater and plant utility systems in a fast-paced beverage manufacturing environment. You will monitor EQ, boilers, RO, chiller, generator, and gas tanks, perform preventive maintenance, logging data, and support food safety and compliance programs.

The ideal candidate has basic computer skills, strong attention to detail, and a safety‑first mindset, with willingness to learn and grow in utilities operations.

Qualifications

• Attention to detail and a safety‑first mindset.
• Ability to read and interpret running conditions for utilities.
• Basic computer skills and data logging experience.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor wastewater EQ, boilers, RO, chiller, generator, and gas tanks.
• Perform preventive maintenance and document logs in CMMS.
• Support GMP/SQF/FSMA programs wherever utilities touch products.
• Escalate alarms and coordinate with production and maintenance teams.

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Boilers

Reverse Osmosis

Chiller

Generator

CO2/N2 systems

Job description

Who We Are

FedUp Foods, one of the nation's early producers of kombucha through the Buchi brand, and one of the largest functional beverage manufacturers in America, offers a diverse portfolio of organic private label functional beverages for top global retailers.

Our Culture

FedUp Foods fuels the growth and success of open-minded, collaborative, and passionate individuals who thrive on teamwork, creativity, and continuous learning.

Our Values:

Agility, Collaboration, Communication, Lifelong Learning, Community, Gratitude

Our Benefits (FT Roles):

• Health Insurance (80–90% of individual premium covered)
• Group Term Life Insurance (100% company-covered)
• Short-Term Disability (100% company-covered)
• Long-Term Disability (50% company-covered)
• Voluntary Dental, Vision, Life & Accident Insurance
• 401(k) with Employer Match
• 9 Paid Holidays, PTO & Sick Time

Position Summary

The Utility Technician keeps the facility's wastewater and utility systems running safely, reliably, and in compliance. These systems include wastewater equalization, boilers, reverse osmosis, the chiller, the generator, and the CO₂ and N2 tanks. The role covers scheduled rounds, data logging, routine and preventive maintenance, and troubleshooting. The technician escalates alarms and excursions and communicates proactively with production, maintenance, and leadership when utility conditions affect operations or regulatory and food safety compliance.

The ideal candidate is detail-oriented and safety-focused, eager to learn utility systems, and comfortable doing hands‑on work in a fast-paced, manufacturing environment.

General Duties/Responsibilities

Wastewater Equalization (EQ) System

• Run the equalization tank, the mixers, and pH neutralization by monitoring the level, making sure the pumps are running, and adjusting pH with chemical additions to ensure it's in control
• Monitor and log flow and pH of the discharges sent to the public utility authority
• Conduct chemical inventory for the wastewater dosing chemicals and alert the assigned individual when replenishment is needed
• Identify when production needs to slow or halt for wastewater treatment and proactively communicate such to the production teams
• Report excursions immediately to the appropriate leader and support permit compliance reporting with the local utility

Utility Systems

• Boilers
  • Conduct a daily walkdown of the assigned boiler, logging multiple data points for boiler reliability
  • Perform a boiler blowdown on the assigned boiler when necessary
  • Help with annual jurisdictional boiler inspections for all boilers and prepare the boilers for them if needed
• Reverse Osmosis (RO) System
  • Monitor RO water system; looking at flow, reject, and recycle rate, and alerting leadership if the values are trending out of range
  • Execute the quarterly inspection of RO inlet filters
• Chiller
  • Monitor supply and return temperatures, compressor statuses, and system pressures and alert maintenance when out of spec
  • Test glycol concentration and check for leaks
  • Keep condensers clean and do routine checks on pumps, filters, and the expansion tank
• Generator
  • Monitor fuel reservoir level; update appropriate leader is low
  • Verify transfer switch operation and support planned outage and power restoration procedures
  • Keep run‑hour records needed for EPA engine rule compliance
• CO2 and N2 Tanks
  • Monitor tank levels and pressures, and coordinate deliveries with the gas suppliers
  • Inspect vaporizers, regulators, relief valves, and piping for frost, leaks, or damage and elevate to maintenance as needed
  • Verify that CO2 and O₂‑deficiency monitors work at assigned cadence, respond to alarms, and elevate meter and monitor mis‑alignments to maintenance
  • Follow cryogenic handling safety practices and PPE requirements

Safety, Quality, and Compliance (Role Specific)

• Conduct scheduled rounds of all assigned utilities on pre‑defined cadence and keep accurate electronic or paper logs for every system
• Troubleshoot alarms of assigned utilities and abnormal conditions, and elevate to the appropriate position
• Conduct assigned preventive maintenance of assigned utilities and create work orders in the CMMS
• Follow LOTO, confined space, hot work, and chemical handling procedures
• Support food safety programs (GMPs, SQF/FSMA as applicable) wherever utilities touch products, such as water, gases, and steam
• Review utility (water, gas, electric) usage to identify and suggest efficiency opportunities
• Help with shutdowns, projects, and commissioning of new equipment as assigned
• Monitor local weather conditions and report out to the facility if/when lightning is present following the facility weather policy

Food Safety and Quality Responsibilities

• Follow GMP policy in the production facility and encourage the team to do the same
• Understand safe, quality food policies including pest control, visitors, allergen management, and cleaning and sanitation
• Support management's commitment to quality food safety objectives
• Report any food safety or quality problem to the FSQ so it can be logged in the CAPA log, investigated, and resolved

Required Skills/Abilities

• Attention to detail and ability to follow established processes, SOPs, and work instructions
• Ability to read and interpret running conditions for assigned utility operations
• High standard of cleanliness and a safety‑first mindset
• Ability to stay organized, and remain flexible in a fast‑paced production environment
• Basic computer skills and ability to enter data accurately into spreadsheets, checklists, or documents
• Willingness to learn utilities and processes
• Basic understanding of pumps
• Ability to interact effectively with team members and contribute to a positive, team‑oriented work environment

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED required
• 1+ year of manufacturing, industrial, or facilities maintenance environment required
• Experience with utility or plant systems such as boilers, chillers, pumps, water treatment, or wastewater preferred

Work Environment/Physical Requirements

• For 8-hour shifts, employees receive one 30‑minute unpaid meal period and two paid 15‑minute rest breaks
• Work is performed in a beverage manufacturing environment with moving machinery, conveyors, forklifts, pallet jacks, other industrial hazards; work performed in the manufacturing facility additionally has exposure to compressed air systems and production equipment
• Must be able to safely wear and utilize required personal protective equipment (PPE), which may include safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, hair restraints, beard restraints, protective footwear, and other PPE as required
• Must be able to safely perform work in accordance with company safety policies, GMP requirements, food safety standards, and operating procedures
• May be exposed to elevated noise levels, wet or slippery surfaces, temperature fluctuations, manufacturing dust, fermentation byproducts, other manufacturing‑related hazards. When working in the manufacturing facilities, additional exposure to strong product aromas, carbon dioxide (CO₂), and cleaning and sanitation chemicals
• Minimum of half of each shift will be in an outdoor environment, including in summer and winter conditions; additional work areas may include hot, cold, humid, refrigerated, and interior office space
• Frequent standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, crouching, crawling, as well as maneuvering of heavy equipment and/or parts, occasionally on uneven, slippery, and/or wet surfaces
• Must maintain situational awareness and safely work around production equipment, mobile equipment, and other personnel
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds regularly and up to 100 pounds occasionally with assistance
• Must be willing and able to work overtime, extended shifts, weekends, and schedule adjustments as required to support business operations
• Must be able to take part in on‑call or callout coverage as requested; occasionally flex from 8 hour to 12 hour shift

EEO Statement

AKM provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and 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. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as directed to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.