The posting
Job Description
We are looking for a Utilities & Facilities Specialist to support the reliability, efficiency and continuous improvement of our manufacturing operations in Costa Rica.
This role is responsible for ensuring the proper operation and maintenance of critical utilities and facility systems, including boilers, compressed air, nitrogen, water systems, CIP, HVAC, chillers, wastewater treatment, fire protection systems, building infrastructure and OT networks.
The position plays a key role in preventing equipment failures, reducing downtime and improving maintenance performance while ensuring compliance with safety, quality, environmental and regulatory requirements.
You will work closely with Manufacturing, Maintenance, Quality, EHS and external suppliers to anticipate risks, solve technical issues and identify opportunities to improve the reliability and efficiency of the operation.
Key Responsibilities
- Ensure the reliability and proper operation of utilities and facility equipment, including boilers, compressors, water systems, pumps, CIP systems, HVAC, chillers, wastewater treatment systems, fire protection systems and building infrastructure.
- Coordinate and ensure the execution of preventive, predictive and corrective maintenance activities.
- Monitor equipment performance and identify recurring failures, developing action plans to reduce downtime and improve reliability.
- Analyze maintenance indicators such as OEE, downtime, MTTR, MTBF and preventive maintenance completion to identify improvement opportunities.
- Lead root-cause analysis for recurring equipment failures and implement corrective and preventive actions.
- Coordinate activities with internal maintenance teams and external technical suppliers.
- Ensure utilities and facilities comply with applicable governmental, environmental, health and safety requirements.
- Support food safety and quality standards within utilities and facilities operations.
- Support the operation and maintenance of the wastewater treatment system (WWTP).
- Identify and implement projects focused on energy, water and utilities efficiency, contributing to cost reduction and sustainability objectives.
- Monitor maintenance expenditures and identify opportunities to optimize preventive versus corrective maintenance costs.
- Coordinate the resources required to support spare-parts availability and maintenance activities.
- Participate in continuous improvement programs and manufacturing excellence routines.
- Support technical projects related to facilities, utilities and infrastructure improvements.
- Work with external suppliers and contractors to minimize operational risks and potential production disruptions.
- Support business continuity plans associated with utilities, facilities and critical infrastructure.
- Promote safe working practices and ensure compliance with EHS procedures across all maintenance activities.
What We’re Looking For
Education
- High school diploma required.
- Technical studies in Maintenance, Electromechanics, Electrical Engineering, Electronics or a related technical field are highly desirable.
- Candidates without formal technical studies should bring significant hands-on experience in industrial maintenance within manufacturing environments.
Experience
- 3-4 years of experience working with industrial utilities and/or facilities.
- Hands-on knowledge of systems such as boilers, air compressors, water systems, pumps, CIP, HVAC, chillers, fire protection systems and building infrastructure.
- Experience working with preventive, predictive and corrective maintenance programs.
- Experience with wastewater treatment systems (WWTP) is highly desirable.
- Experience in manufacturing environments; food or consumer goods manufacturing experience is a strong plus.
- Experience participating in energy-efficiency or utilities savings projects is desirable.
- Experience working with external technical suppliers and contractors.
Technical Skills
- Knowledge of industrial maintenance and equipment reliability.
- Understanding of maintenance KPIs such as OEE, MTTR, MTBF and downtime.
- Microsoft 365.
- SAP knowledge is desirable.
- AutoCAD knowledge is desirable.
- Basic knowledge of OT/IT networks.
- Experience or knowledge of ISO 50001 Energy Management Systems is desirable.
- Understanding of industrial safety, environmental and quality requirements.
Skills & Competencies
We are looking for someone who demonstrates:
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Hands-on technical mindset.
- Ability to identify root causes and implement sustainable solutions.
- Strong sense of urgency when responding to operational issues.
- Effective communication with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Ability to coordinate multiple suppliers and maintenance activities.
- Teamwork and cross-functional collaboration.
- Strong ownership and accountability.
- Continuous improvement mindset.
- Ability to prioritize effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Leadership capabilities and ability to positively influence technical teams.
What Success Looks Like
Success in this role means keeping our utilities and facilities safe, reliable and efficient, minimizing unexpected equipment failures and supporting uninterrupted manufacturing operations.
You will contribute directly to improving equipment uptime, OEE, preventive maintenance completion, MTTR, MTBF, utilities efficiency and operating costs, while supporting regulatory, quality and safety compliance.
Location(s)
San Jose, Costa Rica Plant
Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes.
