Cheese Plant Operator (Nights)

Agropur; United States; On-site; USD 57,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Starting rate + night shift premium

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

401(k) with company match

3 weeks PTO

Paid holidays + 2 floating holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Advancement opportunities

Job summary

Agropur is seeking a Cheese Plant Operator in the United States. This role involves rotating duties across the cheese plant, operating DMM, RMCs, salters, cookers, and brine rooms, and maintaining cleanliness and safety.

The position offers a starting rate with night shift premium and multiple benefits, plus opportunities for advancement and tuition reimbursement. Responsibilities include CIP and sanitation, record-keeping, and collaboration with packaging and vat teams to meet production goals.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, team environment.
• Effective communication skills.
• Basic math and computer skills.

Responsibilities

• Operate cheese plant equipment (DMM, RMC, salters, cookers, brine room) following safety and quality guidelines.
• Perform CIP and sanitation of equipment daily.
• Maintain logs and report issues to supervision.
• Assist with packaging, changeovers, and line setup.

Skills

Effective communication

Attention to detail

Team player

Basic math

Basic computer skills

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Job Type

RegularThe Cheese Plant Operator works rotating job duties with other workers in the cheese plant. This position has a working knowledge of the operation of the DMM, RMC's, salters, cookers and brine room and is responsible for cleaning and sanitizing equipment in these areas. The Cheese Plant Operator understands and adheres to all safety and quality guidelines and attends any scheduled team meetings.

Job Type

RegularThe Cheese Plant Operator works rotating job duties with other workers in the cheese plant. This position has a working knowledge of the operation of the DMM, RMC's, salters, cookers and brine room and is responsible for cleaning and sanitizing equipment in these areas. The Cheese Plant Operator understands and adheres to all safety and quality guidelines and attends any scheduled team meetings.

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.

At Agropur, every role exists to deliver concrete results. What matters is real impact, not the volume of activity.

An environment that allows you to focus on what truly matters:

• Starting Rate: $27.56/hour
• $1.50hr more on night shift
• Two pay increases in the first year up to $1.00
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Short and Long-term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) with up to a 7% company match
• 3 Weeks PTO
• Paid holidays and 2 floating holidays
• Advancement Opportunities
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Healthy work/life balance
• Shift time- 2/2/3 Nights 6pm to 6am

Your Role In Achieving Results

Brine Room

• Understand all the controls in the brine room, PLC, and operation of the equipment.
• Understand the operation and CIP of the Brine UF system.
• Fill brine cages with cheese and keep track of vats; accurately record each vat on the cage log.
• Check and clean all filters at least once per shift.
• Test the salinity of the brine and accurately record.
• Scrape cheese and fat from the system and dispose of properly.
• Help the packaging person in the brine room as needed.
• Keep all hoses rolled up, tools stored properly, clean and sanitize as necessary.

DMM Operation

• Understand all the controls on the PLC, and operation of the equipment.
• Ensure all pipes and fittings are hooked up properly and equipment is ready for production.
• Ensure the proper cheese recipe is selected.
• Check and accurately record cheese PH per guidelines.
• Periodically inspect to ensure cheese is not stringing.
• Effectively communicate with team members on cheese and operations.
• Assist in reworking cheese as needed.
• At the end of production help with clean up, rinsing down, and hooking up for CIP.
• Keep the outside of the equipment clean and change gaskets as needed.

Cooker, salter, and RMC Operation

• Understand all the controls of the cooker, salter, and RMC, PLC, and operation of the equipment.
• Understand how to clean all the equipment properly.
• Ensure cookers are hooked up for production and ready to receive cheese.
• Watch the cooker and cheese condition as it exits the cooker; ensuring that it is properly melted and has good stretch.
• Monitor the RMC and cooker; ensuring temperatures are adjusted properly and Loaf sizes are the proper weight to meet customer specification and fill orders.
• Help with the changeover of hoops (forms) on the RMC to accommodate the type of cheese being made.
• Ensure salt hoppers are full and the salt is being properly added.
• Empty drippings pails under molder.
• Effectively communicate with vat operator on cheese and operations.
• Make empty cycles as necessary to keep vat identity.
• Assist with cheese rework as needed.

Sanitation Duties

• Perform CIP and scrub equipment daily.
• Rinse and wash floors.
• Empty scrap pails.
• Wash parts.
• Keep the outside of the equipment clean and change gaskets as needed.
• Wash brine flume.
• Perform CIP for brine chillers/UF.
• Wash cheese grinder.
• Keep all hoses rolled up, tools stored properly, clean and sanitize as necessary.
• Assist Vat Operator and HTST Operator as needed.
• Perform miscellaneous duties on Master Sanitation Sheets as directed.
• Understand and adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices.

Safety Protocol

• Stop any observed unsafe acts and obey facility safety rules and procedures.
• Correct or report any observed safety hazards.
• Support safety policies and programs.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities, as management may deem necessary from time to time.

What We Are Looking For To Deliver These Results

• High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.

Skills Required

• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with colleagues and individuals inside and outside the organization.
• Demonstrate attention to detail, quality and cleanliness in work.
• Follow one- or two-step verbal instructions; read and follow written instructions; perform routine and repetitive tasks; carry out detailed but uncomplicated written or verbal instructions; complete simple checklists and required documentation.
• Ability to solve problems by adapting knowledge and experience.
• Basic math (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division).
• Basic computer operational skills; able to input and retrieve computerized information.
• Dedication to meet the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; acts with customers in mind.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively at all levels in a collaborative team environment.
• Exhibit a professional manner in dealing with others and work to maintain constructive working relationships.

A role for those who want to contribute to measurable and sustainable results.

AA/EEO – Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity

Agropur welcomes people from all backgrounds and origins. We are proud to be an employer with a diverse community and are committed to providing a respectful and inclusive experience for all employees and applicants. We will work with candidates who request accommodation. Please note that an adequate knowledge of French is required for positions in Quebec.

Agropur uses artificial intelligence technology to assist our recruiters in screening, assessing, or selecting applicants for this position.

In this text, the use of the masculine gender to designate persons is intended only to lighten the text.