Production Operator

Agropur•Le Sueur, MN

3d•$24•Onsite

About The Position

People are at the heart of everything we do. We believe in working together, speaking honestly, taking ownership, and creating value in everything we deliver. Our culture is built on collaboration, accountability, and a shared commitment to growing stronger together. Joining the team means being part of an environment where people support each other and take pride in making a real impact. Every role at Agropur is designed to create value and contribute to collective performance. What Agropur offers Competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefits package focusing on your physical, financial, and emotional health to include the following perks as well as the standard benefit offerings: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Short and Long-term Disability Insurance all starting Day 1 401(k) with up to a 7% company match 3 Weeks PTO Paid holidays and up to 2 floating holidays Advancement Opportunities throughout the organization Healthy work/life balance The role We are looking for a Vat/EFV Operator to join our team in Le Sueur, MN. This person is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the vat process. $23.78/hour $1.50 Shift Differential Double Time on Sundays and holidays 2-2-3 Rotational Schedule NIGHTS, 5:00 pm – 5:00 am

Requirements

High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.
No experience required; in-house training provided.
Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with managers and colleagues.
Ability to read, understand, and follow documents and procedures (GLP, SOP, SDS, GMP, test procedures, and HACCP).
Demonstrate attention to detail and accuracy in work.
Ability to follow written, verbal and diagrammatic instructions; complete simple checklists and complete required documentation.
Basic math skills (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division).
Basic computer operational skills; able to input and retrieve computerized information.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
Demonstrate strong organizational and time management skills.
Exhibit a professional manner in dealing with others and work to maintain constructive working relationships.

Nice To Haves

Minimum one (1) year of experience in a food service, food plant or sanitation environment preferred.
Good Mechanical aptitude required.

Responsibilities

Operate and monitor the combination of pasteurized and standardized milk with cultures and other ingredients.
Monitor the vats filling with milk.
Mix and prepare ingredients, adding different ingredients at appropriate intervals and take samples, along with adding required ingredients into the cheese vat.
Monitor and log upwards of twenty variables at frequent intervals.
Subjectively evaluate coagulated milk to determine if the set is complete.
Monitor cut, cook and stir processes.
Perform curd transfer.
Operate Clean In Place (CIP) cycles, spraying out vats and dismantling parts for cleaning.
Troubleshoot and maintain machinery.
Clean and sanitize all parts of horizontal vats department including walls, floors, and equipment.
Understand and comply with all Quality Assurance policies, and immediately report any potential food safety issues to management.
Complete Pre-Operational log before starting production run.
Make proper connections from starter room, cream silo and UF silo for injection.
Monitor all equipment and recording charts and ensure everything is working correctly and within parameters.
Take milk and whey samples as required throughout the shift.
Monitor pH at pump over and on the tables, adjust starter usage as needed.
Record all required information on the make sheets and in the WonderWare system.
Record chemical concentration checks during CIP’s as required.
Return all sample vials to lab after production run.
Perform tasks on Master Sanitation Log as required and record.
Maintain legal pasteurization on milk HTST and cream HTST.
Run milk samples at least once per vat and adjust cream and UF milk addition as needed to ensure desired protein/fat ratio.
Unload UF milk trucks.
Completely and accurately fill out all recording charts.
Complete CIP of milk HTST, vat fill line, starter inject line, cream inject line, UF inject line, cream HTST, cheese vats and all other equipment that was used during previous day’s production run.
As ST silos become empty, rinse residual product to the vat.
Set up silo for wash and start CIP.
CIP starter cans as needed.
Understand all CIP circuits and titrate all chemicals involved in CIP programs.
Understand and adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices.
Stop any observed unsafe acts, and obey facility safety rules and procedures.
Correct or report any observed safety hazards.
Support safety policies and programs.

Benefits

Competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefits package focusing on your physical, financial, and emotional health to include the following perks as well as the standard benefit offerings:
Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Short and Long-term Disability Insurance all starting Day 1
401(k) with up to a 7% company match
3 Weeks PTO
Paid holidays and up to 2 floating holidays
Advancement Opportunities throughout the organization
Healthy work/life balance

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