Churn Operator

Continental Dairy Facilities Southwest LLC (CDFSW); Littlefield (TX); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Select Milk Producers, Inc. is seeking a Butter Churn Operator to join our manufacturing team in Texas. You will operate continuous butter churn equipment, blending ingredients and ensuring product quality while maintaining strict sanitation and GMP standards.

The role requires a High School diploma or GED and a willingness to train others, with a focus on safety, accuracy, and efficient production in a dairy processing environment.

Qualifications

• Follow all safety procedures and use safety equipment.
• Able to troubleshoot minor issues and seek guidance when needed.
• Capable of leading by example and coordinating breaks.
• Able to train and cross-train butter area staff.

Responsibilities

• Operate butter churn equipment and ensure proper mixing and blending.
• Maintain sanitation and cleanliness in the butter area.
• Monitor operations to meet product quality and standards.
• Weigh ingredients and collect samples for testing.
• Keep accurate records and ensure USDA inspection readiness.
• Inspect butter samples and adjust processes as needed.
• Train new personnel and support continuous improvement.

Skills

Safety procedures

Leadership

Troubleshooting

Training others

Education

High School diploma / GED

Tools

Churn equipment knowledge

Job description

Select Milk Producers is one of the nation’s largest and most progressive dairy cooperatives, with 32 wholly owned subsidiaries, 8 processing plants, and 8 joint ventures including Continental Dairy Facilities, Continental Dairy Facilities Southwest, Mill Haven Foods, Select Custom Solutions, GreenLink and Select Services. With over 800 employees, the Select Milk family of companies impacts all aspects of the dairy farm business and at the heart of our family of companies, is you. “We strive to go above and beyond what’s expected in providing for our families, leading our employees, caring for our land and animals, serving our customers, producing quality milk, and serving one another. This commitment is more than our business, it’s in our culture and our character. We believe in being accountable, in doing what’s right, in performing at our best, in setting a higher standard.” Select Milk Producers and its subsidiaries offer an attractive compensation and a best-in-class benefits package that includes but is not limited medical, vision, dental, life insurance and more that can be tailored for you and your family. Other benefits for eligible employees include 401(k) up to 6% company match, life and disability insurance, and paid holidays & vacation. We are proud to promote an equal employment opportunity workplace.

SUMMARY OF FUNCTIONS

Controls and operates equipment to make grades of butter using the continuous butter churn method.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Churn Operators are responsible for the proper mixing and blending of the butter that is produced.
• Maintain a high level of sanitation and cleanliness while performing tasks.
• Observe churn operations to ensure quality and conformity of mixing and blending of products to meet standards.
• Mix or blend ingredients by starting machines and mixing for specified times.
• Weigh and measure materials, ingredients, or products to ensure conformance to requirements.
• Collect samples of products for laboratory testing.
• Keep accurate and legible records.
• Monitor equipment to ensure safe and efficient operation.
• Inspect and analyze butter samples and make process adjustments.
• Responsible for the general cleanliness of the butter room and its equipment. The butter room must remain USDA inspection ready at all times.
• Knowledge and understanding of churn equipment and maintaining a pace consistent with butter operations.
• Reporting immediately to supervisor of any damage, irregular activity, or unsafe conditions concerning equipment.
• Aiding in the training of new personnel.
• Support a company culture of continuous improvement by participating in efficiency and improvement efforts.
• Following all safety, work, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) rules.
• Responsible for Food Safety and Food Quality.
• Performing other duties as assigned by management.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Must work in a safe, efficient manner and follow all safety procedures including the use of safety equipment.
• Must have the ability to troubleshoot small problems and be able to discern when issues may require input from levels of authority within the corporation.
• Must be willing to ask for assistance when the process is unclear.
• Must be able to operate the equipment effectively after the appropriate break‑in period.
• Must be able to be a leader/lead by example.
• Must coordinate break and lunch schedule for butter area.
• Able to train and cross‑train fillers and floaters.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• A High School diploma or General Education Degree (GED) is required.

As you pour milk over your cereal or add it your coffee, do you ever stop and think where does it come from? I know, silly question — cows! But have you ever thought further, like where do these cows live? How are they treated? Select Milk Producers, Inc. takes that guesswork out. You can rest assured that the more than 10 billion pounds of milk that Select Milk produces each year comes from innovative sustainable farming and extraordinary animal care and comfort. Select Milk formed in 1994 out of a desire by a group of family dairy producers to develop a national footprint for the perfect milk. Founded on honesty, trust, and quality, Select Milk believes in providing their customers with the highest quality fresh milk and doesn’t settle for anything less. Select Milk believes in operating all aspects of their business with the highest standards, including its cooperative of 99 family dairy farm members. “We strive to go above and beyond what’s expected in providing for our families, leading our employees, caring for our land and animals, serving our customers, producing quality milk, and serving one another. This commitment is more than our business, it’s in our culture and our character. We believe in being accountable, in doing what’s right, in performing at our best, in setting a higher standard.”