Maintenance Manager at Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc. – Hammond, Louisiana

Position Overview

The Maintenance Manager reports directly to the Plant Manager and shall be responsible for, but not limited to, the following: supervision of maintenance personnel who repair and maintain mechanical, air, electrical and hydraulic components of various equipment such as processing, blowmolding, filling and material handling equipment, follow blueprints, wiring diagrams and specifications and using hand tools, power tools, welders and precision measuring instruments.

Key Responsibilities

• Properly supervise maintenance personnel who visually inspect and listen to machines and equipment to locate causes of malfunctions.
• He or she will be able to direct personnel who dismantle machines and equipment to gain access to problem area, using hand tools and power tools, inspect and measure parts to detect wear, misalignment, or other problems, remove and replace worn or defective parts of drive mechanism or hydraulic system, using hand tools and power tools, and follow blueprints, diagram, and service manuals, in addition to being able to perform these tasks on their own.
• He or she will also be able to direct personnel who re-align and adjust components, such as spindles and clutches, using hand tools and following diagrams, locate damaged air and hydraulic pipes on machine, and measure, cut, thread, and install new pipe, in additional to being able to complete these functions themselves.
• He or she will also be able to start machines and equipment to test operation following repair, repair broken parts, using brazing, soldering, and welding equipment and hand tools.
• He or she may modify computer-controlled functions on various equipment.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma, or equivalent.
• Previous maintenance supervision required. Must be able to manage technicians that perform highly diversified duties to install and maintain production machines, plant equipment, and facilities.
• Welding – Must be able to arc and heli arc weld.
• Electrical – Must possess extensive experience with 3 phase wiring, electrical controls, programmable controllers, and must possess strong trouble shooting abilities.
• Refrigeration – Must be familiar with ammonia systems used for refrigeration.

Preferred Qualifications

• Welding – Sanitary welding experience is a plus.
• Electrical – To include but not limited to 4-20 ma current process signals, 12 VDC, 24 VDC, 24 VAC, 120 VAC, 240 VAC, 480 VAC single and 3 phase systems.
• Refrigeration – Should include reciprocating ammonia compressors, screw ammonia compressors, condensers, liquid ammonia pumps, evaporators, water pumps, chillers and heat exchangers.
• Boilers – Should be familiar with the operation of steam fired boilers.
• Pneumatics & Hydraulics – Should possess the ability to troubleshoot both pneumatic and hydraulic systems to include piping, compressors, pumps, control valves and actuators.
• PLC’s – Should include experience with Allen Bradley Software including RSLogix 500, RSLogix 5000, Studio 5000, Factory Talk View, Drive Tools, etc.
• Regulatory – Should be familiar with and able to maintain regulatory programs such as OSHA’s Process Safety Management (PSM), EPA’s Risk Management Plan (RMP), and safety programs such as Lockout Tagout (LOTO).
• Project Management – Should possess experience with project management, to include identification of plant needs, definition of the scope of work, acquiring budget quotes, managing timeline and work to completion.
• CMMS – Should have experience with a Computer Maintenance Management Software (Express Maintenance, SAP, etc.) used to plan, manage and track equipment and facility Preventative Maintenance (PM) and work order (WO) functions.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to work without direct supervision.
• Understanding of boilers, refrigeration, hydraulic, air, electrical, and other systems in the plant.
• They must be able to give both written and verbal instructions effectively and follow blueprint, wiring diagrams and service manuals and complete written reports.

Required Soft Skills:

• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Coachable and willing to learn.
• Ability to quickly learn the organization’s systems.
• Proficient with, and enjoy detailed work.
• The successful applicant must possess strong leadership skills, with the ability to effectively direct maintenance personnel.

Competency

• Analytical skills for data interpretation.
• Strategic thinking to develop training plans and reports.
• Strong communication skills for collaborating with various locations and personnel.

Working Conditions

• The successful applicant must be able to work in both very hot (more than 100 degrees) and very cold (20 degrees below zero) and in a very wet and humid environment for extended periods of time.
• He or she must be able to bend, crawl, climb, squat and work on times both above the head and at ground level during repair and maintenance operations, in addition to maintaining a work area that is safe and clean and work in a safe and efficient manner.

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

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 characteristic protected by law.