LUB GRD Trainee L1

Leprino Foods Company•Lubbock, TX

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The GRD Operator Trainee is an entry-level role focused on learning the safe and effective operation of the GRD system under direct supervision. The trainee develops the ability to verify addback materials, monitor blend quality, and ensure GRD product meets required standards. After completing required training and demonstrating proficiency, the trainee may advance to the GRD Operator position. Other duties may be assigned as needed. The role is based on site at Leprino’s Lubbock, Texas cheese and whey manufacturing facility. The plant operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and the position works 12-hour shifts that may include days, nights, and weekends. Overtime and holidays may be required. The position pays $21.35 per hour during training and $23.65 per hour once certified, with an additional $1 differential for hours worked between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.; pay is weekly.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years old.
Must be able to speak, read, write, and comprehend basic English.
Ability to evaluate and identify mechanical conditions and make adjustments or corrective actions as necessary.
Ability to access elevated work areas, including climbing ladders or stairs.
Basic math skills sufficient to perform mathematical functions.
Ability to understand and apply standard operating procedures.
Ability to maintain a clean work area according to good manufacturing practices.
Good communication skills for communicating with coworkers and oncoming or outgoing shifts.
Ability to perform essential job functions that may include lifting up to 45 pounds, wearing required personal protective equipment, working in hot, humid, and cold areas, completing written reports, performing basic mathematical calculations, and entering data into and retrieving data from computer systems.
Ability to work 12-hour shifts, including days, nights, and weekends, and to work overtime and holidays when required.
Ability to work on site at the facility.

Nice To Haves

Experience operating and troubleshooting machines in a manufacturing environment.
Experience with HMIs.

Responsibilities

Assist with operating and monitoring the GRD system according to SOPs, including maintaining product temperature, auger speeds, and product consistency.
Learn equipment shutdown, make physical CIP connections, monitor chemical strengths, and reassemble equipment for production.
Support monitoring blend percentages and verify that addback pallets are produced, dispositioned, released, and compatible with the dry mixer product.
Identify early signs of equipment issues and communicate concerns to team leads, supervisors, or managers.
Assist with Start-Up/Shutdown checklists, operational inspections, sanitation records, and CIP titration documentation.
Follow safety, GMP, SOP, food safety, regulatory, and quality requirements, including inspecting product against customer specifications, reporting clumps or extraneous material, and verifying correct bag codes.
Communicate clearly with team members, leads, supervisors, and managers, including sharing analysis or quality-related findings.
Learn the role requirements and work toward successful completion of job-specific PSOP certification.
Follow sanitation procedures for equipment at shutdown.
Complete paperwork accurately, understand normal operational readings, and take appropriate action when readings are outside normal operating ranges.
Maintain a clean work area in accordance with good manufacturing practices.
Perform work safely by following applicable procedures, policies, critical safety rules, and expected standards of conduct.