Facilities Utility Technician

Overview

Kemin is currently hiring for a Facilities Utility Technician at our Des Moines, Iowa campus. This role supports safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the site’s buildings, infrastructure, and utility systems. This person will perform inspections, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, repairs, and documentation for systems that may include HVAC, boilers, compressed air, water treatment, refrigeration, chillers, cooling towers, and building automation systems (BAS), and related building equipment. The technician responds to utility and facility issues, identifies developing problems, and coordinates corrective work to minimize operational disruption.

The Facilities Utility Technician also monitors system performance, records operating conditions and meter readings, supports energy and utility efficiency initiatives, and assists with the installation or modification of facility systems. The position works closely with Facilities, Maintenance, Engineering, Production, Environmental Health and Safety, Quality, contractors, and service providers to maintain regulatory, code, GMP, and site-standard compliance.

Join the Kemin Team and Transform Lives!

We are a privately held, family-owned-and-operated global biotechnology company driven by curiosity and committed to transforming the quality of life for people, pets, and the planet.

We create solutions that strengthen health and wellbeing, provide nutrition and immune support for pets and production animals, safeguard the planet’s natural resources, and protect the global food supply chain for generations to come.

We supply over 500 specialty ingredients for various industries, including human and animal health and nutrition, pet food, aquaculture, nutraceutical, food technologies, crop technologies, textiles, biofuels, and animal vaccines.

We employ 3,500 global employees and operations in 90 countries, including manufacturing facilities in Belgium, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Italy, San Marino, Singapore, South Africa, and the United States.

As a valued member of our team, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your financial, physical, and professional well-being:

• Competitive Financial Package: Enjoy a rewarding salary, uncapped bonus opportunities, a 401k match program, and generous paid vacation and holidays.
• Health and Wellness Support: Stay fit and healthy with our fitness reimbursement for the whole family, access to an on-site fitness center, a restaurant offering seasonal fresh food options, and free fresh fruit in break areas.
• Career Development and Advancement: Unlock your potential with opportunities for growth and development throughout your entire career.
• Continued Learning Opportunities: Grow your skills with our in-house learning platforms, offering thousands of training resources both live and online, and take advantage of tuition reimbursement for external post-secondary pursuits.
• Service Opportunities: Make a positive impact with paid time off for service, partnerships with The World Food Programme and Habitat for Humanity, and local community initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Operate, inspect, monitor, and maintain facility and utility systems, including HVAC, boilers, compressed air, water systems, refrigeration, and related equipment.
• Complete preventive and predictive maintenance work orders accurately and within established timelines.
• Respond to alarms, utility interruptions, leaks, temperature or pressure deviations, and other facility-related issues; troubleshoot causes and restore safe operating conditions.
• Record meter readings, operating conditions, inspections, maintenance activities, and corrective actions in the site’s maintenance management system.
• Identify abnormal conditions, system inefficiencies, and reliability risks; communicate concerns and recommend corrective or improvement actions.
• Support utility conservation, energy management, water reduction, and equipment-life initiatives through routine monitoring and disciplined system operation.
• Perform routine repairs involving mechanical systems, piping, valves, pumps, motors, belts, filters, controls, and general building infrastructure within qualification limits.
• Coordinate specialized repairs, inspections, testing, and service work with approved contractors and vendors.
• Support facility modifications, equipment installations, commissioning, and shutdown activities with Maintenance and Engineering.
• Maintain compliance with safety procedures, environmental requirements, GMP expectations, permits, building codes, and site standards.
• Maintain utility rooms, mechanical spaces, tools, parts, and work areas in a clean, organized, and inspection-ready condition.
• Be available for occasional after-hours or weekend support when facility or utility systems require attention; this position is not part of the on-call rotation.
• Support inspections, audits, emergency preparedness activities, and corrective-action follow-up.
• Assist with parts identification, inventory control, purchasing information, and contractor access or escorting related to buildings, infrastructure, and utility systems.
• Lead or support small facility improvement projects and utility reliability initiatives.

Qualifications

• Education and Experience: 
  • High School Diploma or equivalent with 3+ years of related facilities, utilities, industrial maintenance, or building systems experience preferred; relevant education may substitute for a portion of the experience.
• Applicable licenses or certifications, such as HVAC/EPA refrigerant, boiler operator, electrical, water treatment, or related credentials, are preferred or may be required based on site needs.
• Working knowledge of industrial facility and utility systems, including basic HVAC, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, controls, and water-system principles.
• Ability to troubleshoot equipment and system problems using drawings, manuals, meters, gauges, trends, and other diagnostic information.
• Ability to read and interpret utility diagrams, piping and instrumentation diagrams, electrical schematics, blueprints, safety data, and technical manuals.
• Ability to use building automation systems (BAS), computerized maintenance management systems, and common computer applications to monitor system performance, document work, and review system information.
• Strong organization, prioritization, communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, coordinate with multiple departments, and appropriately escalate critical issues.
• Knowledge of preventive maintenance practices and basic reliability principles.
• Qualified or able to become qualified in Lockout/Tagout, Confined Space, Hot Work, Fall Protection, PPE, and other site-required safety programs.
• Ability to recognize environmental, safety, quality, and regulatory risks associated with facility and utility systems.
• Experience with building automation systems, utility metering, energy-management systems, or computerized maintenance management systems.
• Experience in a regulated manufacturing, food, feed, pharmaceutical, or chemical environment.
• Knowledge of boiler, compressed-air, water-treatment, HVAC, refrigeration, chiller or cooling tower systems applicable to the site.
• Experience coordinating contractors, supporting capital projects, or maintaining compliance records.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed/religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status (where applicable), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy/childbirth/breastfeeding or related conditions, age (40+), disability (including the use of a service animal), genetic information, marital status, familial or caregiver status, military or veteran status, status as a victim of domestic violence, reproductive health decision‑making, and any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We also prohibit retaliation for raising concerns or participating in an EEO process. Applicants who need a reasonable accommodation to apply or interview can email [email protected].

A post-offer background check and drug screen is required.  Additional pre-employment requirements may be necessary based on position.

Kemin is a drug-free and tobacco-free campus. 

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