Production Operator I - Proliant Dairy Ingredients - Melrose, MN - Day Shift

Lauridsen Group • Melrose, MN

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Production Operator I assists various areas within the Proliant Dairy Ingredients plant while maintaining efficient production processes in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practices and customer specifications. The role works across packaging, raw inventory receiving and management, silos, dryers, and other production equipment. It supports food safety and quality practices, sanitation, safe operations, documentation, and ongoing improvements to food safety programs.

Duties include operating and adjusting packaging, palletizing, and production equipment; handling and tracking finished powder and raw materials; performing quality checks and basic analytical testing; documenting inventory and quality findings; and assisting maintenance with equipment projects and repairs. The operator also performs clean-in-place operations, maintains clean and safe work areas, follows FIFO inventory practices, and communicates safety, food safety, or product quality concerns promptly.

The position involves general manufacturing conditions, including exposure to chemicals, caustic substances, temperatures from freezing to extreme heat, noise, dust, and moving machinery. Occasional outside work may involve varying seasonal temperatures. The job requires extended periods of standing on potentially slippery tile or concrete floors and the ability to move throughout the plant and related work areas.

Requirements

• Ability to prepare and operate all machinery in the plant.
• General knowledge of production and manufacturing methods.
• Knowledge of dryer operation and evaporation processes.
• Knowledge of industrial production processes in human food and animal feed processing plants.
• Ability to read gauges and legibly record data according to established procedures.
• Ability to learn to handle food-grade materials according to established sanitary procedures.
• Ability to understand and follow work procedures, including mandated sanitary and safety guidelines.
• Ability to read, write, and comprehend instructions.
• Ability to operate forklifts and pallet jacks and maintain proper certification.
• Ability to work varying schedules, including overtime when necessary.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.
• Ability to perform basic math.
• Ability to work collaboratively and professionally with peers and leadership.
• Ability to troubleshoot malfunctions and situations and notify appropriate staff of problems.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and assist in various plant work areas.
• Ability to accurately and completely follow company documentation procedures for HACCP, GMPs, SSOPs, and SQF.
• Ability to recognize food safety violations or product quality issues and respond immediately or contact the Production Supervisor and/or QC Manager.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and understand mechanical and equipment operations.
• Ability to learn new equipment; calculate and analyze numbers and situations; read, speak, and write; comprehend complex information; solve problems; and communicate.
• Ability to work independently, set priorities, and determine work assignments and methods.
• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• One year of stable work experience in areas such as agriculture, production, or manufacturing preferred.

Nice To Haves

• High school diploma or GED.
• One year of stable work experience in agriculture, production, or manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Operate packaging and palletizing equipment and make adjustments as needed.
• Bag and blend finished powder; weigh, sample, seal, and palletize product; and move pallets using a forklift or pallet jack when required.
• Label finished product and use the computerized inventory tracking system according to customer and company specifications.
• Perform quality checks on raw inventory arriving by truck or pipe, unload trucks, document findings, and record inventory information.
• Load product tanks and silos.
• Support basic analytical testing on finished product.
• Operate evaporators, Triple C, fluid beds, spray dryers, and other production equipment as required.
• Monitor dryer intake and exhaust temperatures, sample powdered product, check spray nozzles, and sweep down dryers.
• Operate bag-house equipment, check air and moving parts, and help remove and replace bags.
• Assist maintenance with projects and with repairing or replacing motors, pumps, and other equipment.
• Store and track raw and finished products, consumable and packaging materials, and chemicals using FIFO inventory practices.
• Maintain a clean and safe work area and properly care for and store tools and equipment.
• Perform clean-in-place operations and work with the outside sanitation vendor to ensure equipment, drains, and other areas are properly cleaned.
• Help maintain food safety and quality practices and support improvements to food safety programs.
• Work safely, promptly communicate safety risks or concerns, and comply with regulatory, food safety, occupational safety, and quality programs.
• Follow good documentation procedures for required HACCP, GMP, SSOP, and SQF records and paperwork.
• Identify food safety violations or product quality issues and resolve them immediately or contact appropriate plant management.
• Troubleshoot malfunctions, notify appropriate staff of problems, and assist in various plant work areas as needed.

Benefits

• Three weeks of paid time off annually, prorated based on hire date.
• Nine paid holidays.
• Medical coverage, with eligibility beginning the first of the month following hire date.
• Dental coverage, with eligibility beginning the first of the month following hire date.
• Vision coverage, with eligibility beginning the first of the month following hire date.
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match.
• Health savings account with employer contribution and flexible spending accounts.
• Choice of three affordable healthcare coverage options.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED