At Russell Stover, not only do we love chocolate, but we love our jobs! Every day we go to work exhibiting our values of excellence, innovation, entrepreneurship, responsibility, and collaboration. Working at Russell Stover you’ll be part of the leading manufacturer of boxed, seasonal, and sugar-free chocolates. For over 100 years, Russell Stover Chocolates, Whitman’s, and Pangburn’s have been crafted with the finest ingredients to bring happiness to generations. Today, we produce over 55 million pounds of chocolate annually, and our legacy brands can be found in 13 company-owned stores and over 9,000 wholesale accounts. Join our team and let’s continue making chocolate lovers happy!

A day in the life…

As the Skilled Specialist, you will administer the HVAC Systems/Service requirements. You will perform any job assigned in support of production within the confines of the RSC property. The specific department in which the duties are performed falls under the Maintenance Department.

What you will be doing…

• Member of the PSM Team – Ensuring implementation of Iola’s Process Safety Management & Risk Management Program, regulatory compliance per OSHA / EPA.
• Install, troubleshoot, repair, operate, and replace Production and Facility related equipment and services
• Maintain the Systems and service requirements.
• Able to troubleshoot and repair pumps, compressors, and boiler systems
• Use of hand tools required.
• Respond in a timely manner to calls for maintenance.
• Be self-motivated and keep areas of responsibility clean and organized.
• Assist in ensuring appropriate parts inventories are in stock when possible.
• Responsible for reporting and taking any necessary action to prevent food safety and food quality problems from occurring.
• Responsible for following and enforcing procedures outlined in the Food Safety Plant and the Food Quality Plan and any other programs that support the system.
• Regular attendance within company guidelines (at a minimum) is an essential function.
• Conform and abide by the company and standardized and adopted industrial rules and guidelines.
• May be assigned other duties by plant management as required.

Machines, tools, equipment, work aids used

• Boilers
• Building Control System
• Compressors (Air and Refrigeration
• Concentrators
• Cooling Towers
• Pressurized Water Systems
• Heat Exchangers
• Air Cooling Systems
• Shop Equipment
• Ladders/Platforms, Man-lifts, forklifts
• Wastewater equipment and testing requirements.
• Assist with grounds and facility basic maintenance when call upon.

Materials and/or Products Handled

• Ammonia
• Lubricants
• Plant Production Materials
• Chemicals
• Water and Natural Gas
• Basic electrical exposure

Employee Supervision Standards (Reports to Maintenance Supervisor)

• Performs assigned tasks, follows specific instructions, receives progress checks, and feedback.
• Proceeds alone on routine tasks following standard instructions; but will openly refer all questionable situations to PSM supervisor / Plant Engineer
• Self-directed in arranging personal work but carries out work in adherence to specified standards; once properly trained, is expected to know OTJ routine work details and standards.

Do you have what it takes?

(Basic Qualifications)

• Must be able to comply with RSC respiratory program.
• High school diploma or GED required; trade certification preferred.
• Required intimate working knowledge and experience in electrical, plumbing, refrigeration, HVAC, boiler, and compressed air systems.
• Two to three years of experience in a manufacturing environment preferred.
• Universal Refrigerant License and HVAC certifications are strongly recommended.
• Some experience with Ammonia refrigeration preferred.
• Attend and pass Ammonia Operator I & II courses, as time permits (within first 3yrs)
• Knowledge and application of basic math skills
• Ability to comprehend technical manuals, instructions, and safety regulations.
• Knowledge and ability to safely and proficiently use a variety of hand and power tools and diagnostic equipment.

Physical Requirements

• Must have the ability to frequently stand, stoop, bend, climb, and lift to meet job requirements.
• Must have applicably good hand-eye coordination and possess motor skills and dexterity in ceiling height and /or relatively cramped work areas.
• Must have applicably good visual/hearing, sufficient to detect warning devices and/or signs.
• Must have the ability to routinely lift up to 50 pounds.
• May be required to work in extreme cold, extreme heat, and/or extreme wet – humidity with or without disabling body temperature changes / fluctuations.
• Will be required to work routinely in noisy environments.
• Will be required to perform repetitive motions and hard work when called upon to do so.

What it’s like at the Russell Stover Plants

• Safety. Your safety is important to us, so we provide protective gear. We also go through an in-depth Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) training on your first day and continue to share safety tips daily.
• Surroundings. You’ll be working around different machines – Schubert’s, forklifts, electric pallet jacks, and chocolate candy banks/steels.
• Activity. Some activities may require standing in one place for long periods, walking around, or climbing stairs/ladders, and routinely lift 50 lbs.
• Temperature. You will be comfortable year-round with our climate-controlled environment. Our temperatures are consistently around 63°F but could fluctuate depending on your specific role.
• Smell. You will enjoy a variety of deliciously sweet aromas and you may end your day smelling like chocolate!
• Dress code. Relaxed, with a few rules to follow for food safety, personal safety and in guidance with our good manufacturing practices (GMP). Comfortable, closed-toe shoes are required. Leather, imitation leather, or rubber boots or shoes must be worn in the kitchen and other areas when working around hot liquid/product or hot water.

At Russell Stover Chocolates, we don’t just accept difference — we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our products, and our community. Russell Stover Chocolates is proud to be an equal-opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer.

We provide equal employment opportunities to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition, genetic information, military service, veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.

Employment by Russell Stover Chocolates is contingent upon I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification, passing the urinalysis drug screen, education verification, and satisfactory reference and background checks.

Make Happy. Work Happy.