Whey Operator - Grade 5 - B Shift - 6:00AM-6:30PM

Chobani • Town of Pittsfield, NY

3d • $24 - $31

About The Position

The Whey RO Operator is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of yogurt whey processing systems, including the operations of the Whey RO, clarifier, and whey silos. This role focuses on concentrating whey, managing tanker loading, performing silo washes, completing all equipment CIP activity, and executing routine TPM tasks. The operator ensures equipment runs consistently, supports quality and food safety standards, and maintains accurate documentation to support production and logistics.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Prior experience in dairy or food manufacturing preferred.
• Mechanical aptitude and comfort working with pumps, valves, membranes, clarifiers, and CIP systems.
• Ability to interpret operating trends such as flows, pressures, solids, and temperatures.
• Continuous improvement mindset, with willingness to learn equipment and troubleshoot effectively.
• Ability to lift hoses, climb stairs, work at heights, and perform tasks in wet/hot/cold environments.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience in dairy or food manufacturing preferred.

Responsibilities

• Operates the whey Reverse Osmosis (RO) system to concentrate yogurt whey to targeted solids, ensuring stable flows, pressures, and recovery rates.
• Runs and monitors the whey clarifier to remove fines prior to RO processing, adjusting operations as needed to maintain clarity and throughput.
• Loads whey tankers in accordance with required safety standards, including proper use of fall-protection equipment.
• Performs whey silo washes following established sanitation procedures to ensure food safety and regulatory compliance.
• Conducts CIP for RO equipment, clarifier, silos, and related systems; verifies that time, temperature, and chemical steps meet specifications.
• Partners with Quality to complete sampling, testing, and documentation for whey.
• Completes TPM tasks including basic equipment inspections, cleaning, and identifying abnormalities that require maintenance support.
• Monitors system performance, identifies operational issues, and escalates concerns to supervisors or maintenance as needed.
• Maintains an organized, clean, and audit-ready work area, following all GMPs, PPE requirements, and safety procedures.
• Complete assigned paperwork an CIP documentation throughout the

Benefits

• Chobani provides a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision coverage, disability insurance, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, and tuition reimbursement.
• To help save for the future, all employees are eligible for a 401k match of 100% on up to 5% of eligible pay.
• To support growing families, we provide fertility and childcare assistance, and 12 weeks of parental leave at full pay after six months of continuous employment.
• In addition, we provide wellness resources which include an employee assistance program, fitness discounts, a wellness reimbursement, on-site gym access (certain locations) and a monthly wellness newsletter to connect you with resources and timely information.
• We offer various types of paid and flexible time off based on start date and tenure and 11 holidays each year.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees