Mechanical Maintenance Technician - Aztalan Bio LLC

Who is Aztalan Bio?

Aztalan’s story is just beginning, and you can be part of it!  ClonBio Group acquired Wisconsin’s largest ethanol plant in 2022 located in the village of Aztalan, just outside Jefferson, WI.  The facility will process 40 million bushels of locally grown feed corn per year, turning that into food-grade corn oil, vegetable protein concentrates and isolates for food applications, aquaculture feeds, renewable natural gas, organic fertilizer, ethanol, and dietary fiber for foods, among other things.  

Aztalan’s sister facility, Pannonia Bio in Hungary is one of the most technologically advanced grain biorefineries in the world.  Over the next several years, Aztalan will invest hundreds of millions of dollars into a biorefinery transformation every bit as innovative as Pannonia’s but uniquely suited to Wisconsin’s strengths.  Aztalan Bio is owned by ClonBio Group who is family-owned and invests in their people for long-term success.  We have a dedicated internal team of engineers and scientists from 23 countries and 5 continents, an investment in people that explains why ClonBio’s biorefineries are so technologically advanced. 

Position Overview

The Maintenance Technician will maintain general preventative maintenance schedules for the production and research areas. This includes, but is not limited to troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, gas, steam, water and air problems, modify the process flow to improve safety, quality and efficiency issues. This role will also notify the necessary staff in the event that an issue arises that could cause production delays.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Complete preventative and planned maintenance tasks, reconcile comments and suggestions with the maintenance planner and the production shift supervisor. 
• Immediate analysis of mechanical failures and complete the repair respecting EHS rules.
• Complete ad-hoc (mainly mechanical) jobs quickly and in a professional manner, as requested by Production Shift Supervisor, Production Manager, Maintenance Planner and Maintenance Manager.
• Maintenance of the company's production equipment, renewal, repair and, if necessary, conversion of machine parts and components.
• Troubleshoot, disassemble and repair plant equipment including but not limited to:
  • pumps
  • heat exchangers
  • conveyors, slides, spouts 
  • vehicles
  • grain processing equipment
  • agitators
  • valves 
  • blowers, compressors, fans
• Makes necessary adjustments to the equipment to maintain parameters specified by the processes including alignment, balancing, vibration analysis, and lubrication. 
• Understand and implement reliability-centered maintenance system.
• Registering maintenance jobs in proper system. 
• Checking working devices and parts, change if needed on the basis of pre-established and applicable audit tasks, documenting the shortcomings and forecasts discovered, Maintain Planner and Maintenance Manager notification.
• Keep work area, workshop and tools clean and in working order.
• Training operators for simple maintenance tasks.
• Active participation in planned plant shutdowns, to determine the maintenance requirements of systems, devices and devices that fall within the scope of its competence.
• Cooperation with other department employees.
• Participate in a weekly on-call rotation to provide timely support and resolution for critical issues, ensuring minimal disruption to operations. 

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years of mechanical maintenance experience in a manufacturing facility, preferably chemical or food manufacturing.
• Welding and/or fabrication experience and certification (as applicable).
• Previous experience working with conveyors, pumps, valves, etc.
• Knowledge of mechanical and electrical blueprints and the capability to operate various mechanical equipment. 
• Forklift certified.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to work effectively as a team member.
• Exhibit flexibility, reliability and mutual respect for fellow employees. 
• Strong safety and math aptitude.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Noise level in the work environment is moderate. Occasional exposure to high noise levels.
• Employee may be exposed to work near moving mechanical parts.
• Occasional exposure to chemicals used in the process.
• Humid conditions and outdoor weather conditions including extreme heat and cold.
• Personal Protective Equipment such as safety glasses, steel-toed boots, flame-resistant clothing, and hearing protection will regularly be required (or may be required).
• Regularly required to walk, sit, talk, and hear. 
• The employee is occasionally required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and may occasionally be required to climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. 
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. 
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. 
• The employee will be required to do some walking/climbing stairs and occasional use of ladders.