Whey Operator - Grade 5 - A 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. Chobani is a food maker with a mission of making high-quality and nutritious food accessible to more people, while elevating our communities and making the world a healthier place. In short: making good food for all. In support of this mission, Chobani is a purpose-driven, people-first, food-and-wellness-focused company, and has been since its founding in 2005 by Hamdi Ulukaya, an immigrant to the U.S. The Company manufactures yogurt, oat milk, and creamers – Chobani yogurt is America's No.1 yogurt brand, made with natural ingredients without artificial preservatives. Following the 2023 acquisition of La Colombe, a leading coffee roaster with a shared commitment to quality, craftmanship and impact, the Company began selling cold-pressed espresso and lattes on tap at cafés nationwide, as well as Ready to Drink (RTD) coffee beverages at retail. In 2025, Chobani acquired Daily Harvest, a modern brand offering consumers nutritious, delicious and convenient ready-to-make meals.  Chobani uses food as a force for good in the world – putting humanity first in everything it does. The company's philanthropic efforts prioritize giving back to its communities and beyond. Chobani manufactures its products in New York, Idaho, Michigan and Australia, and its products are available throughout North America and distributed in Australia and other select markets.

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.

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.

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