Sanitary Welder
3 days ago
Buffalo
Job Description Join a team that nourishes life from farm to table! Upstate Niagara Cooperative, proudly owned by 200+ local family farms, is one of America’s largest and most stable dairy cooperatives. Guided by farmer- and employee-led values, we process and market high-quality milk, yogurt, dips, sour cream, cottage cheese, and more under our trusted brands: Upstate Farms®, Bison®, Milk for Life®, and Intense Milk®. Here, you’ll support sustainable farming, strong communities, and the mission to deliver fresh, local dairy to families every day. Position Summary: The Sanitary Welder is responsible for performing high-quality sanitary stainless-steel welding, fitting, and fabrication in support of production operations, maintenance activities, and facility CAPEX (capital expenditure) projects. This role ensures all welds, tubing installations, and process piping meet 3-A sanitary standards, PMO requirements, and internal specifications. The Sanitary Welder plays a key role in executing equipment installations, line relocations, and facility upgrades as part of the plant’s ongoing capital improvement plans. Key Responsibilities: Sanitary Welding & Fabrication • Perform TIG/GTAW welding on stainless steel tubing (304/316) to sanitary standards., • Fabricate and install product lines, CIP loops, manifolds, valve clusters, and pump skids., • Ensure welds are sanitary, smooth, crevice-free, and fully penetrated., • Utilize purge gas systems and proper back-purging practices., • Complete weld polishing and finishing to required sanitary level., • Provide welding, fabrication, and installation support on major capital projects, including:, • New equipment installations (mix tanks, pumps, fillers, pasteurizers)., • HTST system upgrades and PMO loop modifications., • Silo and tank installations or relocations., • Production line extensions or redesigns., • Utility piping expansions (steam, air, glycol, CIP supply/return)., • Participate in project planning meetings as needed and provide practical field input., • Execute project work according to engineering drawings, layout plans, and timelines., • Coordinate with Maintenance, Engineering, Production, and external contractors during project phases., • Read and interpret P&IDs, isometrics, weld maps, blueprints, and electrical/mechanical schematics., • Layout, measure, and install sanitary tubing with high alignment accuracy., • Assist in installation and modification of pumps, valves, flow panels, and product transfer lines., • Perform corrective and preventive maintenance weld repairs on:, • CIP systems, • Pumps and valves, • Filler systems, • Pasteurizers and heat exchangers, • Product lines and stainless-steel structures, • Follow all GMP, PMO, SQF, and OSHA, • Maintain sanitary work practice during fabrication and welding., • Ensure proper material handling and cleanliness of all stainless-steel components., • Work closely with maintenance technicians, project engineers, external vendors, and supervisors., • Provide field-level feedback on design feasibility, improvement opportunities, and accurate measurements., • 2+ years of experience in sanitary TIG welding in dairy, beverage, food, or pharmaceutical manufacturing., • Proficiency with TIG on 304/316 stainless steel, thin-wall tubing, and sanitary fittings., • Strong understanding of 3-A sanitary standards, PMO requirements, and CIP/SIP systems., • Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, isometric drawings, weld maps, and fabrication prints., • Experience supporting equipment installations and line modifications, ideally in CAPEX projects., • Orbital welding experience or certification., • Experience supporting large-scale capital projects (tank installations, system upgrades, new process lines)., • Experience with sanitary valve clusters, flow panels, and process automation systems., • AWS or equivalent welding certification., • Ability to lift 50 lbs., • Standing, bending, kneeling, climbing ladders, and working in tight/overhead spaces., • Full-time with required availability for:, • Project shutdowns, • Overtime and weekend work, • Emergency repairs, • Precision craftsmanship, • Strong problem-solving skills, • Commitment to food safety and equipment reliability, • Effective communication *The hourly rate as indicated in the CBA. The posted pay rate reflects just one component of our total rewards package. Other components of the total rewards package may include participation in group health and/or dental insurance, retirement plan, paid time away from work, and paid holidays. Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.