Maintenance Mechanic
Ventura Foods · Albert Lea, MN
- Level
- Technician
- Team
- Reliability
- Industry
- Food & beverage
- Posted
- Recently
The role in 30 seconds
A technician-level reliability role at Ventura Foods (food & beverage) in Albert Lea, MN. Troubleshoot, inspect, test, and diagnose malfunctioning equipment.
- Tools it names
- EHS / safety
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Maintenance Technician roles in the US: typical posted base $57k–$86k.
Median of the low and high ends of 64 live postings that list pay, out of 2470 maintenance technician openings in the US, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Minnesota plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 65 other live reliability postings in Minnesota.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Not stated
Typical $78k–$103k, from 5 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 3+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Team leadership 39%
- PLC 35%
- Welding 30%
- Automation 26%
- Root cause 21%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Reliability team at Ventura Foods
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
Maintenance Mechanic at Ventura Foods in other locations
Ventura Foods lists this title in 2 places. Pick the plant you can get to.
Full description from Ventura FoodsAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Position Summary
Maintain equipment and facility so maximum performance is derived from all systems.
Responsibilities
Install, repair, overhaul and perform preventative maintenance of equipment.
Provide training and assistance to line personnel and supervisory staff in maximizing equipment performance.
Troubleshoot, inspect, test, and diagnose malfunctioning equipment.
Responsible for following all Food Safety policies, procedures and regulatory criterion including the current SQF code, Good Manufacturing Practices, and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and associated Preventive Controls and safety programs
Education and Experience
Technical school training or equivalent experience and previous experience in an industrial environment is preferred.
requirements
of the position for which you are applying.
Typical shifts are 8-12 hours per day. Additional unscheduled time after hours and on weekends may also be required. Employees must be willing and able to wear personal protective equipment as required by Company policy and/or legal requirements. In addition, certain jobs may require employees to:
- ✓Work outside and/or in adverse temperatures which could include extreme heat, cold, and humidity;
- ✓Be exposed to vibrations, chemicals used in operations, fumes and food allergens (may include soy, dairy and other allergens); and
- ✓Be required to work in confined and dark spaces, and at heights in excess of 18 feet.
Our Culture
Our Culture reflects our commitment to treating every employee with respect and creating an environment where people can do their best work. We rely on a variety of strengths, backgrounds, and experiences across our teams to help us innovate, grow, and deliver for our customers. By fostering a workplace that is supportive, collaborative, and grounded in integrity, we continue to attract strong talent and meet the high expectations of a rapidly evolving marketplace.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Employment Type: Hourly
Work Arrangement: Onsite
Shift: Third
Knowledge and Skills
Must be able to understand mechanical concepts, processes, and able to read blue prints. Demonstrated ability to use hand and power tools commonly used in electrical and mechanical trades. Working knowledge of electrical, pneumatics, hydraulics, power transmissions and other general mechanical systems.
Why Join Us
Ventura Foods innovates and manufactures food solutions for foodservice and retail businesses. We make exclusive products for the world's most iconic restaurants and retailers, we provide ready-to-go product solutions for professional kitchens, and we make consumer brands everyone knows and loves. When you work for Ventura Foods, you get a strong foundation of training, a manager who cares about you and celebrates your success, a safe environment, and challenging work. As part of our team, your future is limited only by how much you’re willing to push yourself to get there. We invest in your growth because you invest in ours.
Ventura Foods offers career growth opportunities as well as competitive compensation and benefits:
- •Retirement savings options
- •Employee Appreciation Events and Employee Assistance Programs
- •On-the-job training
- •Our maintenance pay scale ranges from $25.53-$39.53 per hour, depending on relevant skills, education, certifications, and experience, as outlined in our Maintenance Skill Flex Program. This program enables Ventura Foods to offer competitive wages tied to performance, provide clear career progression opportunities, and ensure annual hourly rate increases for eligible employees. Certain shifts are eligible for a shift differential of $0.25/hr or $0.85/hr.
Physical Demands
All jobs require sufficient physical strength and dexterity to perform the required task(s) and typically also require at a minimum: intermittent sitting, standing, walking, climbing, squatting, kneeling, pushing, and pulling. Occasional lifting and/or moving up to 50 pounds or more with assistance may also be required. Please see the job description for specific requirements.
Work Environment
Please see the job description for specific