Roswell, NM- Cheese Vat Operator

Leprino Foods Company•Roswell, NM

2d•$22 - $24•Onsite

About The Position

Leprino is seeking a Cheese Vat Operator for its Roswell, New Mexico team. The role involves pasteurizing milk and operating vat equipment, applying the correct amount of rennet, and monitoring the cheesemaking process according to product recipes and customer specifications. The operator is responsible for maintaining a clean environment and following Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), standard operating procedures (SOPs), critical control points, food-safety requirements, and USDA regulations. The operator uses control panels and computers to monitor and adjust equipment, milk temperatures and flow, product routing, pH, and other process settings. The role also includes maintaining pasteurization records, interpreting recipes, collecting and testing samples, entering process data, performing clean-in-place (CIP) duties, and communicating with other departments. The work takes place in a fast-paced, 24-hour, seven-day operation and requires working off-shifts, weekends, holidays, and required overtime.

Requirements

Ability to perform essential job functions safely.
Must be at least 18 years old.
Must be able to work Sunday through Saturday, off-shifts, weekends, holidays, and required overtime to support a 24-hour, seven-day operation.
Must be able to work a minimum of 8.5 hours.
Demonstrated ability to complete work assignments with a high degree of accuracy.
Good communication skills and ability to read, write, and speak English.
Ability to read, write, and perform intermediate mathematical calculations.
Ability to maintain accurate records.
Good time-management skills and ability to work independently without direct supervision.
Ability to interpret data and make necessary decisions.
Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
Ability to stand, walk, bend, squat, reach, and climb stairs or ladders throughout the shift.
Ability to work in ambient indoor temperatures, wet or slippery conditions, and loud noise, with varying degrees of temperature.
Ability to meet vision needs that may include close, distance, color, and depth perception, and reading computer screens for extended periods.
Must wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as required by the role and location.

Responsibilities

Inspect and adjust vat-room control panels, computers, separators, feed rates, sweet cream, and charts to check milk temperatures and speed; replace charts as needed.
Make appropriate adjustments to transfer product to the correct vat, DMC, and Whey department.
Enter correct pH and temperature levels into the computer and make computer adjustments to enable silos to run and direct milk to specific vat tankers.
Perform legal pasteurization procedures and maintain pasteurization records.
Read and interpret recipes and mix the correct amounts of rennet, calcium, chloride, phosphoric acid, and other ingredients according to customer specifications.
Change pipes and elbows to begin 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.
Maintain Good Manufacturing Practices and follow applicable safety rules and regulations.
Communicate with supervisors, forepersons, coworkers, and departments including Milk Receiving, DMC, and Quality Control.
Support food safety and food quality.
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.