Job Description

Ready for more than just a job? Build a career with purpose.

At Lactalis in the USA, we’re committed to providing meaningful opportunities for our people to learn, grow, and thrive—whether you’re just starting your journey with us or looking to take the next step in your career. From day one, we offer the tools and support to help you succeed.

As the world leader in dairy, Lactalis is a family-owned company with over 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals across the globe. Each day, we’re proud to produce award-winning dairy products that bring people together.

In the US, we proudly offer an unrivaled house of beloved brands, including Galbani® Italian cheeses and ricotta, Président® specialty cheeses and butters, Kraft® natural and grated cheeses, Breakstone’s® cottage cheese, Cracker Barrel®, Black Diamond® cheddar, and Parmalat® milk. Our yogurt portfolio includes siggi’s®, Stonyfield Organic®, Brown Cow™, Oui®, Yoplait®, Go-Gurt®, :ratio®, Green Mountain Creamery®, and Mountain High®, along with a growing family of ethnic favorites like Karoun®, Gopi®, and Arz®.

At Lactalis, we live by our core values—Ambition, Engagement, and Simplicity. We foster a workplace where innovation thrives, diverse perspectives are celebrated, and everyone’s unique background and ideas are valued.

Even if you don’t meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply. We want to hear about your PASSION, your STORY, and how your EXPERTISE can help us shape the future of dairy.

From your PASSION to ours

Lactalis American Group, a division of the Lactalis family, is currently seeking a seasoned an Maintenance Technician at our Merrill, WI facility.

This position will perform a variety of daily maintenance duties to ensure the efficient and proper operation of all manufacturing equipment. Performed work includes: preventive maintenance, prioritization of urgent maintenance needs to ensure efficient daily operation, prioritize/complete daily maintenance work orders, assist with major utility systems, and ensure efficient operation of engines, motors, conveyor systems and other manufacturing machines. Must be able to follow diagram sketches, operation manuals, manufacturer instructions, and engineering specifications.

From your EXPERTISE to ours

Key responsibilities for this position include:

• Maintains manufacturing equipment/machinery to ensure efficient daily operation.
• Work closely with operators to better understand machine operation and normal wear and tear.
• Provides input on and works to improve maintenance processes and projects that will minimize operational downtime.
• Ensures timely completion of preventative maintenance program.
• Tests and adjusts equipment to meet performance specifications.
• Evaluates the needs and usage of replacements parts, spare parts, and places orders to procure such materials.
• As part of the maintenance team, identifies and maintains a work schedule that optimizes machine availability (on/off days) with available labor hours.
• Conducts walk-arounds to further understand task requirements.
• Assures that safety procedures, including lock-out/ tag out procedures, are available to employees and contractors.

Requirements

From your STORY to oursQualified applicants will contribute the following:

Education

• High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED)
• Electro-Mechanical Maintenance Associate's Degree, Certificate or Apprenticeship, and/or equivalent experience

Experience

• Electrical and mechanical repair on production and utility equipment
• 3 or more years in dairy/food production or similar manufacturing environment; a strong background in mechanical knowledge of machines and tools, including designs, uses, repair and preventive maintenance.
• Utilities maintenance such as plumbing, hydraulic and pneumatic knowledge; or proficient knowledge working with boilers, refrigeration is strongly preferred.
• Must be willing to obtain fresh water/wastewater certification(s).
• Stable and dependable work history is required

Skills/Abilities

• Individual must be motivated and capable of working independently.
• Must manage stress and remain calm under pressure to ensure positive working relationships with coworkers.
• Individual must be able to demonstrate an inquiring mind and well-developed observational skills
• Must be able to perform a multitude of tasks, strong communication abilities both written and verbal.
• The ideal candidate will be proactive and flexible, receptive to new ideas, down to earth and pragmatic, analytical and attentive to detail; demonstrate a sense of responsibility and high professional standards, honesty and integrity, and objectivity.

Work Schedule: Start times vary between 5:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. Monday through Friday, working until daily production is done for the day; on-call rotation schedule every three to four weeks for after hour and weekend maintenance emergencies.

At Lactalis, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Program with a variety of affordable benefits and coverage options. We support insurance costs significantly, contribute generously to retirement plans, and offer Paid Time Off from day one. We are committed to your professional growth, providing training and development opportunities, including Education Reimbursement. Join us and grow your career.

Lactalis is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally-recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities. Further, any division of the Company that is an Affirmative Action Employer will comply with all related legal obligations.