Maintenance Mechanic

Location: Dale Road Plant (UNC), Buffalo, NY 14225, USA

Join a team that nourishes life from farm to table! Upstate Niagara Cooperative, proudly owned by 200+ local family farms, is one of America’s largest and most stable dairy cooperatives. Guided by farmer- and employee‑led values, we process and market high‑quality milk, yogurt, dips, sour cream, cottage cheese, and more under our trusted brands: Upstate Farms®, Bison®, Milk for Life®, and Intense Milk®. Here, you’ll support sustainable farming, strong communities, and the mission to deliver fresh, local dairy to families every day.

Must be available for all shifts (1st, 2nd, 3rd). Must be available for weekends and holidays.

Sign‑on Bonus: $8,000

SUMMARY: Installs, maintains, and repairs machinery, equipment, physical structures, and pipes, electrical and hydraulic systems by performing the following duties.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Listen for unusual sounds from machines or equipment to detect malfunction and discuss machine operation variations with operators, supervisors or other maintenance workers to diagnose problem and repair machine.
• Required to have Respirator and Confine Space entry qualifications.
• Shut down machine or equipment and ‘Lock Out’ all energy sources before starting repairs. Install new or repaired parts. Test to ensure proper operation.
• Must have 70e and Lock Out/Tag Out Training.
• Cleans and lubricates shafts, bearings, gears, and other parts of machinery according to company procedures or schedules while maintaining Equipment PM’s.
• Set up and operate machine tools such as grinders, drills (to repair or fabricate machine parts), jigs, lathes, and fixtures.
• Install and repair electrical wiring and electrical and/or electronic components on machinery and equipment.
• Lays out, assembles, installs, repairs, troubleshoots and maintains pipe systems and related hydraulic and pneumatic equipment.
• Repairs and replaces gauges, valves, pressure regulators, and related equipment.
• Must have experience in rebuilding pumps, motors as well as operating a cutting torch for welding/burning and rigging equipment.
• Maintain the chemical pumps and CIP systems.
• Repairs and maintains the physical condition of the facility (e.g., counters, benches, walls, partitions, racks, and other structures as deemed necessary).
• Install, program and repair automated machinery and equipment such as programmable controllers, pumps, separators, homogenizers, packaging machines, compressors, refrigeration systems and other equipment as needed, and be trained to repair.
• Maintain a record of HVAC PM’s and operations.
• Required to be a Refrigeration System Operator (Classes I & II), operate Boilers and Air Compressors; Stationary Engineers license is desirable.
• Troubleshoot PLC/Control System and calibrate chart recorder, the Level Probe and Pressure Sensor.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• High school diploma or GED or one to three months related experience, training or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must be a minimum of 18 years of age.
• Language skills: Ability to read and interpret work orders, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals; fill out routine reports and correspondence; speak effectively and convey information to other employees.
• Mathematical skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure using whole numbers.
• Reasoning ability: Apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions; deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Physical demands: Regularly required to stand, walk, use hands, reach above shoulder height, talk and hear, taste and smell; may climb ladders and/or balance; regularly lift or move up to 55 pounds, occasionally up to 100 pounds; required visual acuity (close, distance, color, peripheral vision, depth perception, focus adjustment).
• Work environment: Regularly work near moving mechanical equipment; occasionally high places; exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; cleaning chemicals (sodium hydroxide, phosphoric acid); cold temperatures below 40°F; moderate noise; hearing protection required.
• Work schedules: Workweek could vary; may include Saturdays, Sundays or Holidays with a specific weekday or rotating day off; four 10‑hour days may also be scheduled.

Condition of employment: Working safely, following all company policies and complying with all Federal, State and County regulations is a condition of employment.

Pay: $29.64–$32.64/hr.

Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Protected Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities.