ABOUT AMPI:

AMPI owns seven Midwest-based manufacturing plants where 10 percent of the nation’s American-type cheese, processed cheese and butter is produced. The cooperative’s award-winning cheese, butter and powdered dairy products are marketed to foodservice, retail and food ingredient customers. In 2019, the co-op launched its Dinner Bell Creamery brand and accompanying Co-op Crafted promise, highlighting more than 50 years of dairy farm families partnering with skilled buttermakers and cheesemakers.

JOB SUMMARY:

The maintenance planner optimizes maintenance inventory and expenditures to ensure safe and reliable plant operation while minimizing unplanned downtime and production delays. The maintenance planner will collaborate with the Plant Engineer and the Maintenance Supervisor on upcoming projects and work with contractors to obtain quotes and identify project needs. In addition, the maintenance planner will create and sustain an environment of respect and responsibility through professional communication, accountability, budget consciousness, teamwork, safety, quality and security.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as management may deem necessary from time to time:

1. All AMPI employees have an obligation to report employee safety, food safety and food quality issues to personnel of authority.
2. Develop an accurate inventory of parts and tools required for daily operations. Stock required parts and tools in an efficient manner to minimize unplanned downtime without stocking excess inventory. Prepare purchase orders, receive and properly store the merchandise.
3. Collaborate with the Maintenance Supervisor to accurately relieve parts used for repairs and preventive maintenance from parts inventory.
4. Coordinate with the maintenance department and operation planning; ensure areas, departments or facility are professional serviced in a timely manner emphasizing consistent equipment availability and performance.
5. Improve the efficiency and cleanliness of the maintenance shop through the principles of 5S: Sort, Set-in-order, Standardize, Shine and Sustain.
6. Develop and maintain a system for easy access to and accountability for small parts and tools needed by plant operations team.
7. Work with frequently scheduled contractors to develop service agreements to minimize the high cost of emergency repairs. Constantly review the operation of plant equipment and systems to minimize unplanned downtime, anticipate, and solve problems in a timely manner.
8. Collaborate with plant management to support maintenance projects. Develop a scope for the project, identify potential contractors, obtain quotes, submit PO’s, and schedule contractors as directed. 
9. Identify opportunities for grants/incentives available for energy efficient upgrades.
10. Assist with the implementation and operation of maintenance software to manage preventive and predictive maintenance tasks and needs.
11. Maintain and update CMMS software records and ensure entry by others of necessary data for the facility in order to provide accurate management statistics.
12. Responsible for working within a budget under the direction of the maintenance manager, controlling inventory budget accuracy, turns, and other inventory management.
13. Communicate and require adherence to plant policies and safety requirements by all sub-contractors and visitors.
14. Maintain compliance to local, state and federal regulatory environmental programs.
15. Maintain compliance to all OSHA requirements
16. Understand and require adherence by all maintenance technicians and sub-contractors to all safety policies and procedures, reporting any nonconformities.
17. All other duties as assigned.

An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. The above list reflects the general details necessary to describe the principle and essential functions of the position and shall not be construed as the only duties that may be assigned for the position.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• High school diploma or General Education Degree (GED) is required.
• Associates degree from a two-year college in a related technical field or certificate or diploma from a trade school in a related field is preferred.
• Five or more years of experience in the maintenance, mechanical maintenance, and/or repair work or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Certificate level coursework or experience in project management or planning/scheduling is highly desirable.
• CMMS maintenance tracking software experience is highly desirable.
• Prior maintenance experience in a food manufacturing environment is preferred.
• Knowledge of HACCP, GMP’s, OSHA and loss control programs is highly desirable.
• Ability to read and understand graphic instructions, blueprints, schematic drawings, layouts or other visual and electronic aids is highly desirable.

BENEFITS/REWARDS:

AMPI offers competitive starting pay, PTO, 401k, short-term disability, health, dental, vision, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance programs and more.

Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI) is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Military and veterans are encouraged to apply.