At Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition, we are making significant advances in food and health with new ideas and innovative technologies. We are seeking candidates with energy and enthusiasm to be part of our growing team throughout North America. As an Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition employee, you are part of a diverse, innovative, and collaborative community committed to enhancing lives through nutrition and health. Our team is committed to providing amino acid-based solutions that create better lives for all.

This opening is for our Industrial Maintenance Registered Apprenticeship program.  During the course of the program, the apprentice will receive on-the-job training and complete required coursework via Indian Hills Community College.  Participants must be willing to complete both aspects of the program in order to obtain their Registered Apprenticeship Certification from the State of Iowa.  This position will perform general maintenance of equipment in a fermentation manufacturing environment.

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS, AND EXPERIENCE:

· High School diploma or GED required

· Trade experience is preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: · Excellent oral, written, and computer communication skills · Ability to interpret technical drawings · Strong mechanical aptitude and background · Design/drawing/manual experience for troubleshooting · Multi-trade skills like welding, pipefitting, pump repairs, compressor work, boilers, etc. · Must be self-motivated, strive for success, work in and with the maintenance/production teams, stay on task with limited supervision · Ability to remain flexible in work scheduling knowing that occasionally break times and/or start and stop times may need adjusted in order to finish up a project safely and completely

WORKING CONDITIONS: Fast paced bio-chemical/chemical/dry blending manufacturing environment working both in office & plant settings. May perform activities in an environment containing hazardous elements and requiring safety awareness and adherence to all safety policies and guidelines. Work must be performed in a safe manner for personal protection and for the protection of other team members. All safety procedures, procedures described in SOPs, JHAs, and support of the ISO standards in all functional areas must be followed, enforced, and strictly complied with.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Sitting, standing, walking, repetitive use of hands/arms/legs, and eye/hand coordination for 4+ hours a day
• Occasional bending, reaching overhead, crouching, balancing, pushing or pulling
• Occasional lifting of 50 lbs. or less, occasional need to lift up to 75 lbs.
• Ability to operate general manufacturing powered equipment, vehicles and tools
• Ability to operate forklift, telehandler, and man lifts proficiently
• Ability to wear necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) as required for job duties to include respirator fitting/usage

Safety, Environmental, & Quality Compliance

• Utilize safe work habits and follow all policies and procedures
• Make sound decisions while not compromising safety, environmental or quality standards
• Assist with audits as required
• Turn in any hazards as they are identified to get them corrected as soon as possible
• Attend regularly scheduled training sessions to stay current on all compliance initiatives
• Ensure compliance with all governmental regulations and policies

Maintenance Duties

• Changing drive belts, pump mechanical seals, oils, filters, greases, bearings, rotors
• Rebuilding pumps, frames, structures, doors
• Repairs of conveyor belts, pipe leaks, fork trucks, manlifts
• Some minor welding of frames, stands, handrail, etc.
• Report daily tasks/accomplishments back to the Maintenance Supervisor/leadership
• Learns equipment details such that general maintenance work can be completed efficiently and successfully
• Will conduct minor troubleshooting, individual equipment coordination for stop/starts with production
• Assists in the preparation of Work Instructions/Standard Operating Procedures
• Occasionally will be working with contractors and will provide guidance for the current task
• Be available for contact during off hours (evenings, nights, weekends, holidays) for communications of troubleshooting, adjustments, and occasional reporting to work for corrections

Continuous Improvement & Collaboration

• Suggest/implement process improvement, cost down, or best practice ideas
• Continually strive for increasing processing efficiencies
• Complete 5S activities to keep the work area clean and organized 

Ajinomoto is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will not discriminate because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, disability, age (40 or older) or genetic information (including family medical history) for recruitment, hiring, and promotion decisions.