Roswell, NM- Cheese Vat Operator

Leprino•Roswell, NM

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Leprino is seeking a Cheese Vat Operator for its Roswell, New Mexico team. The role pasteurizes milk, operates vat equipment, adds the correct amount of rennet, and monitors the cheese-making process according to product recipes and customer specifications. The operator maintains a clean environment and follows GMPs, SOPs, food-safety critical control points, and USDA regulations. This position is responsible for food safety and food quality and requires communication with departments including Milk Receiving, DMC, and Quality Control. The work supports a 24-hour, seven-day operation and may involve off-shifts, weekends, holidays, and required overtime. The operator inspects and adjusts vat-room controls and related equipment, routes milk and product to the appropriate departments, enters and monitors process data, takes samples and tests pH, maintains pasteurization records, and performs clean-in-place duties. Work includes standing, walking, climbing, lifting, and assembling or disassembling pipes. The environment may be wet or slippery, noisy, and subject to varying temperatures. Starting compensation typically ranges from $22.28 to $24.42 per hour, with an additional $1.25 per hour for hours worked between 6 PM and 6 AM. Leprino describes a comprehensive compensation and benefits package that includes full benefits, a bonus program, 401(k) employer match, profit sharing, tuition assistance, vacation, holidays, dedicated sick time, and annual merit increases.

Requirements

Be at least 18 years old.
Be able to perform essential job functions safely.
Be able to work Sunday through Saturday, off-shifts, weekends, holidays, and required overtime to support a 24-hour, seven-day operation.
Be able to work a minimum of 8.5 hours.
Demonstrate the ability to complete work assignments with a high degree of accuracy.
Have good communication skills and be able to read, write, and speak English.
Be able to read, write, and perform intermediate mathematical calculations.
Be able to maintain accurate records.
Have good time-management skills and the ability to work independently without direct supervision.
Be able to interpret data and make necessary decisions.
Be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
Be able to stand, walk, bend, squat, reach, and climb stairs or ladders throughout the shift.
Meet the role's vision demands, which may include close and distance vision, color and depth perception, and reading computer screens for extended periods.
Wear appropriate personal protective equipment as required by the role and location.

Responsibilities

Inspect and adjust vat-room control panels, computers, separators, feed rates, sweet cream, and charts; check milk temperatures and speed and replace charts as required.
Make appropriate adjustments to transfer product to the correct vat, DMC, and Whey department.
Enter correct pH and temperature levels into the computer and perform procedures required for legal pasteurization.
Maintain legal pasteurization records.
Interpret recipes and mix the correct rennet, calcium, chloride, phosphoric acid, and other ingredients to meet customer specifications.
Change pipes and elbows to start the CIP process, ensuring pipes are connected correctly to prevent product and chemical mixtures.
Clean and sanitize equipment according to company procedures and maintain good housekeeping in the work area.
Follow GMPs, safety rules, and regulations, and maintain safe work behaviors.
Communicate as required with supervisors, forepersons, other departments, and coworkers.
Make computer adjustments to enable silos to run and direct milk to specified vat tankers.
Take samples, test them frequently for correct pH levels, and enter pH data for each product being run.
Perform CIP duties and apply the proper chemical dosage to clean equipment effectively.