Maintenance Helper in Battle Creek, Michigan at Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc.

Maintenance Helper

(Non-union / Hourly)

Department: Maintenance

Reports To: Maintenance

Location: Battle Creek, Michigan

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Pay Range + other compensation components: $21.50 - $30.00/hour

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, STD, Thrift, Life Insurance

Shift (if applicable): [Flexible depending on department’s needs + any OT requirements]

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Position Overview

The Maintenance Helper plays an important role in supporting the reliability, efficiency, and safety of plant operations. This position assists the Maintenance Department with preventative maintenance activities, equipment lubrication, facility housekeeping, and general upkeep of production and support areas.

The Maintenance Helper is responsible for helping ensure production equipment remains properly maintained, work areas are clean and organized, and safety standards are consistently upheld. This role provides an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in developing their mechanical aptitude and gaining exposure to industrial maintenance operations within a manufacturing environment.

Prairie Farms offers the stability of a company with more than 75 years of success, proudly representing over 800 farm families throughout the Midwest. Since 1938, we have remained committed to producing high-quality products while investing in our employees and communities

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Key Responsibilities

Sanitation & Food Safety

• Perform routine lubrication, greasing, and servicing of production and facility equipment in accordance with established preventative maintenance schedules.

• Assist maintenance personnel with basic maintenance activities, inspections, repairs, and equipment support as directed.

• Maintain cleanliness and organization throughout production, maintenance, warehouse, and common work areas.

• Remove debris, excess materials, grease accumulation, and other workplace hazards to support safe and efficient operations.

• Monitor equipment condition during lubrication and cleaning activities and promptly report unusual noise, vibration, leaks, wear, damage, or other abnormalities.

• Support plant safety initiatives by following all safety policies, lockout/tagout procedures, food safety requirements, and appropriate PPE practices.

• Maintain adequate inventories of lubricants, cleaning supplies, and maintenance materials while notifying leadership of replenishment needs.

• Assist with facility upkeep projects, equipment cleaning, painting, and minor building maintenance tasks as assigned.

• Support production uptime by responding to maintenance-related requests in a timely and professional manner.

• Accurately complete required maintenance logs, inspection records, and departmental documentation.

• Demonstrate a positive attitude, strong work ethic, and willingness to learn new skills and responsibilities.

• Work collaboratively with maintenance, production, sanitation, and leadership teams to support operational goals.

• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.

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Required Qualifications

• Ability to read, understand, and follow written and verbal instructions.

• Ability to work safely in a manufacturing environment while following all company policies and procedures.

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining a clean, organized, and safe workplace.

• Dependable attendance record and ability to report to work on time and prepared for assigned duties.

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision as well as effectively within a team environment.

• Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors, maintenance personnel, and production employees.

Preferred Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.

• Previous experience in manufacturing, industrial maintenance, janitorial services, construction, warehouse operations, or related environments.

• Basic mechanical aptitude and familiarity with hand tools, lubrication equipment, and cleaning equipment.

• Experience working in a food manufacturing or industrial production environment.

Physical Requirements

To successfully perform the essential functions of this role, employees must be able to:

• Frequently stand and walk for extended periods throughout the shift.

• Regularly bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, twist, and reach.

• Push, pull, lift, and carry materials weighing up to 50 pounds.

• Climb ladders, platforms, and stairs as required.

• Work in confined spaces and around operating machinery when necessary.

• Demonstrate sufficient dexterity to safely operate maintenance tools and equipment.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Required Soft Skills:

• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.

• Coachable and willing to learn.

• Ability to quickly learn the organization’s systems.

• Be a self-starter and able to work without direct supervision

• Proficient with, and enjoy detailed work.

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Competency

• Food Safety Focus

• Quality Orientation

• Mechanical Aptitude

• Attention to Detail

• Accountability

• Teamwork and Collaboration

• Initiative

• Problem Solving

• Adaptability

• Communication Skills

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Working Conditions

This position operates in a dairy manufacturing environment and may involve exposure to moving machinery, cleaning chemicals, temperature fluctuations, and production operations. Employees are expected to maintain strict adherence to all safety, quality, food safety, and sanitation standards while supporting operational excellence throughout the facility.

Some of the physical requirements are:

• Ability to regularly lift, carry, push, and pull up to 61 pounds.

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during scheduled shifts.

• Frequent bending, squatting, kneeling, climbing, reaching, and twisting.

• Ability to work in wet, humid, cold, hot, and noisy environments.

• Ability to work around sanitation chemicals and cleaning solutions while following safety requirements.

• Ability to wear required PPE, including safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection, and other equipment as required.

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About Prairie Farms – “Farmer Owned. Locally Produced. Since 1938.”

We are a farmer-owned cooperative. This means we are owned and operated by over 800+ farm families who are critical members of society. They have selflessly taken on the tremendous task of producing nutritious, high-quality milk for a growing population, which requires being on the job 24/7, 365 days a year.

We have represented American agriculture since our founding in 1938. Many of our dairy farms are operated by several generations of family members with roots dating back to the 1800s. On average, each farm milks around 120 cows and everyone pitches in to keep them happy and healthy - which means around-the-clock care!

Our Mission:

• To produce dairy products of the highest quality

• To conduct our business with professional integrity

• To exceed expectations of our customers and consumers

• To support our communities in a positive, sustainable manner

• To deliver exceptional patronage to our network of farm families

• To simply “do right” for our farm families, employees, and communities

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EEO Statement

Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characte