Utilities Systems Lead – Shift 2 (71980)

Location: 531 West Poplar Avenue Tipton CA 93272

Hourly Rate: $35.00 $40.00 (Overtime and weekends may be required)

Shift: 2nd Shift 2pm - 10:30pm Shift Differential $0.40 hour

Job Summary

The Utilities Systems Lead is responsible for ensuring the performance, reliability and regulatory compliance of critical plant utility and PSM-covered systems, including ammonia refrigeration and boiler operations.

This role provides oversight and coordination of utility systems, focusing on system performance, risk identification, and compliance with Ventura Coastal's PSM Program and applicable regulatory requirements. Responsibilities include supporting preventive maintenance strategies, validating inspection and testing activities, and ensuring work is executed in alignment with established procedures and engineering standards.

The Utilities Systems Lead will report directly to the Maintenance Manager and partner with Maintenance, Operations, and EHS to support consistent execution, audit readiness, and safe, reliable system operation across Ventura Coastal's Tipton facility, with an emphasis on system ownership and coordination rather than routine maintenance execution.

Utilities System Reliability

The Utilities Systems Lead applies advanced technical expertise to support the performance, reliability and compliance of plant utility systems. This includes monitoring system conditions, supporting routine inspections, and ensuring maintenance activities are effectively coordinated and executed in alignment with established procedures and engineering standards.

Utility systems Include, but are not limited to, boiler operations, high-pressure air systems, ammonia and supporting systems, wastewater systems, freshwater systems, gas and electrical utilities, and other assigned infrastructure. The role emphasizes system performance, risk identification, and long-term asset reliability rather than routine maintenance execution.

Preventive Maintenance Planning

The Utilities Systems Lead coordinates preventive and predictive maintenance strategies in collaboration with the Maintenance Manager, including prioritization of work, support of emergency response, and alignment of maintenance activites with operational and compliance needs.

This role supports maximizing equipment reliability and operational efficiency through effective use of preventive and predictive maintenance processes.

As primary CMMS systems user, The Utilities Systems Lead supports work planning and coordination, including developing job plans, identifying parts and materials, and aligning appropriate resources to ensure safe and effective execution of maintenance activities. This role is responsible for monitoring and communicating maintenance performance data, supporting continuous improvement, and ensuring consistent application of CMMS processes to meet reliability, compliance, and preventive maintenance objectives.

Primary Responsibilities

Food Safety is the responsibility of all Ventura Coastal manufacturing employees. All Ventura Coastal manufacturing employees must be aware of CCPs in their area and how to document them appropriately. All staff must report food safety and quality problems to their immediate supervisor in charge during their shift.

The Utilities Systems Lead role is responsible for the oversight, coordination, and continuous improvement of utility system reliability and preventive maintenance programs. This role applies advanced technical expertise to ensure maintenance strategies are effectively developed, prioritized, and executed in alignment with Ventura Coastal's PSM Program, regulatory requirements, and engineering standards. This includes but is not limited to the following activities:

• Coordinates and enhances the day to day and periodic Preventative Maintenance (PM's) for utility systems, incorporating knowledge of existing and emerging equipment and technologies.
• Supports and validates maintenance activities for critical utility systems, including:
  • Ammonia compressors, vessels, piping, SRV's and all related devices using Ammonia refrigeration.
  • Production and office HVAC systems
  • Steam boilers, vessels, piping, and valves.
  • High pressure air compressors and air driers
  • Condensers / cooling towers/ Air handler
  • Glycol system
  • High voltage power distribution switch gear
  • Wastewater distribution system, lift systems, valve, and piping.
  • Water softener system, valve piping and controls
  • Well water maintenance systems pump controls and vessels.
  • Diesel fire pump and fire hydrant distribution system and controls
  • Outdoor building and parking area lighting and parking and driving surface maintenance.
• Conducts routine system and facility assessments to identify potential hazards, reliability concerns, and compliance gaps, ensuring timely follow-up and resolution.
• Monitors system performance and operating conditions, including review of daily ammonia refrigeration readings, to identify trends, risks, and deviations in order to coordinate appropriate corrective action as needed.
• Supports compliance with PSM, pressure vessel, and applicable regulatory requirements, including documentation, inspections, and audit readiness.
• Leverages CMMS to support work planning, prioritization, and performance tracking, including development of job plans, identification of materials and resources, and communication of maintenance performance metrics.
• Provides technical guidance and support to maintenance personnel, promoting safety, consistent, and quality execution of maintenance activities.
• Supports training and knowledge transfer related to utility systems and safe work practices.
• Maintains required qualifications, including RETA membership and ammonia training/certification (e.g., CARO), to support system knowledge and safe operation.
• Communicates system performance, risks, and maintenance needs to Maintenance leadership and Engineering to support planning and continuous improvement.

Preventive Maintenance Functions:

• Supports continuous improvement of Ventura Coastal's Preventative Maintenance Program through application of tools, training and best practices.
• Coordinates and prioritizes maintenance activities in collaboration with the Maintenance Manager to support system reliability, compliance, and operational needs.
• Ensures accuracy and completeness of maintenance documentation to support asset history, compliance, and audit readiness.
• Monitors system and equipment conditions identify non-standard conditions or risks and escalates as appropriate for resolution.
• Supports regulatory inspections and audits in partnership with EHS, including preparation, participation, and follow-up on corrective actions.
• Promote safety in the department and advise the Maintenance Manager and/or EHS of non-compliance to company safety requirements.
• Provides input and recommendations to Maintenance leadership regarding system performance, maintenance priorities, and resource needs.
• Prepares estimates including labor and materials needed for work orders. Assures materials are on hand or arranged.
• Ensure work orders are properly filled out and completed on time. Reports noncompliance with the Maintenance Manager.
• Supports planning and execution of work orders within CMMS, including development of job plans, identification of materials, and tracking of maintenance activities and performance data.
• Coordinates parts and materials to support effective maintenance execution and minimizes downtime.
• Performs other duties as assigned in support of utility system reliability and compliance objectives.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience supporting industrial utility systems, maintenance, or reliability programs in a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated technical knowledge of utility systems, including ammonia refrigeration, boilers, compressed air systems, pumps, motors, wastewater, and supporting infrastructure.
• Post high school education in a maintenance, technical, or engineering-related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Working knowledge of applicable regulatory requirements (e.g., PSM, pressure vessel/boiler systems, and other federal and state compliance programs).
• Food Processing - Food processing industry experience required.
• Strong ability to evaluate system performance, identify issues, and support effective troubleshooting and resolution.
• Experience supporting preventive and predictive maintenance programs, including use of CMMS systems for work planning, tracking, and reporting.
• Ability to prioritize work, manage multiple tasks, and adapt to changing operational needs.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and commitment to documentation accuracy
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally with Maintenance, Operations, and EHS.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with CMMS systems preferred.
• Bi-lingual skills are a plus.

• Possess a valid forklift license or the ability to obtain one.
• RETA training and certification (e.g., CARO) or ability to obtain within a defined timeframe.

Physical Requirements

• Must have the ability to meet flexible and changing priorities and the ability to work under pressure.
• 80% walking, climbing ladders and stairs in a plant environment. 20% office environment at a desk or working at a computer terminal.
• May be required to lift 50 lbs. on occasion.
• May be required to assume different physical positions while fixing equipment. May be on call 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

This job description is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the Company reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the Company may deem appropriate.