Sanitary Process and Maintenance Specialist

Description Location: Greater Minneapolis, MN area (remote with travel throughout Midwest territory) Job Type: Full-Time Salary: Base salary plus commissions with potential earnings of $100,000+ Benefits: Comprehensive benefits, company-matched 401(k), paid time off, competitive compensation, company-issued vehicle, and much more! About Us: At Nelson-Jameson, we’ve been a trusted partner in the food manufacturing industry since 1947. We provide high-quality products and innovative solutions that help businesses maintain top standards in quality, safety, and compliance. As a family-owned company, we believe in accountability, teamwork, and growth—for our people and the business. We take pride in our close-knit, supportive culture where every team member has a voice and the chance to grow. If you're looking for a rewarding career with a team that works hard and stays optimistic, we’d love to have you join us! Job Summary: At Nelson-Jameson, we don’t just deliver products - we deliver solutions that keep food and dairy manufacturing operations running safely and efficiently. As a trusted partner to our customers, we combine deep technical knowledge with hands-on support to solve real-world challenges inside their plants. We’re seeking a Sanitary Process & Maintenance Specialist to provide direct, on-site and remote technical support to customers operating sanitary processing systems. In this role, you’ll work closely with customer teams to diagnose and resolve issues related to pumps, valves, heat exchangers, and other critical process equipment—helping minimize downtime and improve operational performance. You’ll bring strong mechanical and process knowledge, collaborate closely with Strategic Account Managers, and help tailor practical, compliant solutions that meet each customer’s unique needs. This role offers exposure to a wide range of plant environments and equipment, making it ideal for someone who enjoys problem-solving, working hands-on in the field, and building long-term customer relationships. If you’re driven by technical challenges, value partnership, and want to make a measurable impact in food and dairy manufacturing operations, this role offers the opportunity to do exactly that. Key Responsibilities: Troubleshoot & Maintain Equipment: Work directly with customer teams to identify and resolve issues in plant operations, focusing on process-related equipment (e.g., pumps, valves, plate heat exchangers). Provide Technical Support: Serve as the technical resource for customers, offering hands-on assistance in diagnosing, troubleshooting, and resolving plant challenges to minimize downtime and improve efficiency. Collaborate with Sales: Work closely with Strategic Account Managers to understand customer needs, develop tailored solutions, and promote product sales in assigned categories. Drive Sales & Growth: Promote products to new, casual, and core accounts, aiming to maximize sales and gross margin. Customer Service Excellence: Ensure high levels of customer satisfaction by providing timely, effective, and consistent technical support. Identify Opportunities: Continuously seek opportunities to expand product offerings and solutions to customers, contributing to overall account growth. Training & Education: Stay current on product knowledge and provide ongoing education and training for customers and internal teams to ensure optimal use of products and services. Collaborate Across Teams: Partner with Sales, Product Management, and Marketing to enhance customer experience, promote products, and achieve business goals. Why Nelson-Jameson? At Nelson-Jameson, we offer more than just a job; we provide an opportunity to grow and succeed within a family-owned company that values innovation, collaboration, and hard work. You’ll be part of a trusted industry leader, working alongside passionate professionals who are dedicated to making a difference. As a golden rule company, we strive to maintain a culture of honesty, integrity, and kindness. Our organization is committed to operating ethically and respecting people, our community, and the environment. With us, you’ll become part of a hard-working team that takes pride in providing safe, high-quality food to communities around the world. With Nelson-Jameson, you’ll receive: Comprehensive Health Benefits with your choice of benefits to match your unique needs 401(k) with company match Competitive Compensation: Base salary plus commissions with potential earnings of $100,000+ Established sales territory Paid time off at time of hire Annual allowance for company-branded clothing Annual Wellness Stipend & other wellness programs Company-provided vehicle, cell phone, and credit card Autonomy & freedom to manage your own schedule And much more! Qualifications & Skills: Required: Education: High school diploma or equivalent (technical certifications or specialized training in relevant fields preferred). Experience: 3–5+ years of experience in the industry or a technical role (sales, troubleshooting, process maintenance, etc.). Technical Expertise: Proven experience in troubleshooting and maintaining process-related equipment such as pumps, valves, heat exchangers, etc. Communication Skills: Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly to both customers and internal teams. Territory Management: Strong time management and organizational skills with the ability to manage customer territories effectively. Travel Requirements: Ability to travel up to 75% of the time for customer visits, supplier meetings, internal collaboration, and industry events, primarily regionally across the Midwest (WI, MN, IL, IA, & MO), but also to other regions of the U.S. on an “as-needed” basis. Must possess a valid driver’s license, maintain an acceptable driving record, and hold all required documentation for domestic air travel. Preferred: Education: Post-secondary education in food science, dairy production, engineering, or a related technical field. Industry Experience: Experience in working with dairy production, cheese-making, or food processing technologies. Sales Experience: Previous experience in technical sales or business development within a relevant industry is highly desirable. Maintenance Experience: Experience in troubleshooting and maintaining equipment in sanitary or process plant settings is a plus. How to Apply: If you’re ready to drive your career forward with a company that values hard work, safety, and excellent customer service, apply now on our career site ! Nelson-Jameson, Inc. and NEXT Logistics, LLC. are Equal Opportunity Employers. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage applicants from all backgrounds, including but not limited to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, and veteran status.