DAIRY PROCESS OPERATOR

Lifeway Foods, Inc.; Waukesha (WI); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

9 paid holidays

Medical, Vision, Dental, Life, and Dis

Disability coverage

Flexible FSA and HSA options

Employee Assistance Program

401(k) Profit Sharing

Job summary

Lifeway Foods, Inc. in Wisconsin is seeking a Dairy Process Operator to ensure products meet PMO and SQF standards in a dairy production environment.

You will maintain pasteurizers and related equipment and ensure all procedures align with Lifeway's policies. The role requires adherence to GMP, SOPs, and SSOPs, performing sanitation checks, monitoring process parameters, and supporting continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; 3–6 months related experience.
• Experience in a food manufacturing facility.
• Demonstrate leadership, organization and self-efficacy.
• Ability to read and write reports and present to managers/customers.
• Basic mathematical skills including algebra and geometry.
• Knowledge of Manufacturing/Inventory Software and MS Office (Excel/Outlook).
• Able to lift 50 lbs, stand 8 hours, climb ladders, and maneuver equipment.

Responsibilities

• Follow GMPs for pasteurization and SQF compliance.
• Monitor production processes following SOPs for batching and processing.
• Conduct pre-operational sanitation inspections.
• Monitor culture and fat levels during dairy processing.
• Ensure paperwork is complete, clear, and accurate.
• Report unsafe conditions and food safety violations to supervisor.
• Troubleshoot and maintain preventative maintenance schedules.
• Operate equipment at recommended speeds and temperatures; report defects.
• Operate and clean equipment promptly to minimize downtime.
• Assist in continuous improvement and process improvements.
• Adhere to SOP/SSOP ensuring HACCP, FDA, EPA, OSHA, USDA, WDA and customer requirements.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Analytical thinking

Teamwork

Reading/writing reports

Education

High school diploma

Experience in food manufacturing

Tools

Manufacturing Software

Inventory Software

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

Lifeway Foods (NASDAQ: LWAY), which has been recognized as one of Forbes’ Best Small Companies, is America’s leading supplier of the probiotic beverage known as Kefir. In addition to its line of drinkable Kefir, the company also produces cheese, drinkable yogurt, and a ProBugs line of Kefir for kids. Lifeway’s tart and tangy fermented dairy products are sold across the United States, Mexico, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.

Summary

The Dairy Process Operator in the Processing Department is primarily responsible for ensuring all products are produced to the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) and SQF standards and following Lifeway Wisconsin policies and procedures and maintaining pasteurizer and other related equipment within dairy production environment and by performing the following duties.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Follow Good Manufacturing Procedures (GMP’s) for pasteurization of milk and that it meets company’s standard for Safe Quality Food (SQF)
• Monitors the dairy production process and follows the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for batching and processing products
• Conducts pre-operational sanitation inspections to ensure food processing areas, product contact surfaces and equipment are clean before processing begins
• Monitors quality points such as culturing temperature, fat and other related items as they associate with processing dairy products
• Ensure paperwork is filled in a clear, legible, and accurate format and completed with the required information.
• Responsible for reporting unsafe conditions and food safety violations to manager
• Troubleshoots and resolves basic to moderate operating difficultiesHandles and maintains preventative maintenance schedule for department area
• Operates equipment at recommended speeds and temperatures and communicates mechanical and operational defects as they arise
• Operates and cleans equipment with a sense of urgency to minimize downtime
• Utilizes continuous improvement mindset, assist in identifying opportunities to improve processes
• Perform duties according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and Sanitization Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP) that meet quality and safety standards pertaining to: Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points (HACCP), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Wisconsin Department of Agriculture (WDA), and customer requirements
• Conduct behavior in compliance with Lifeway Employee Policy
• Perform additional duties as assigned

Qualification and Education Requirements

• High school diploma required; Or three to six months related experience; Or equivalent
• Must have past experience in food manufacturing facility
• Demonstrate intellectual and interpersonal skills through leadership, organization, and self-efficacy
• Ability to read and write comprehensive reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals and effectively present them to groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public
• Basic mathematical skills and understanding of algebra and geometry
• Knowledge of Manufacturing Software, Inventory Software, and Microsoft Office including Excel and Outlook
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs.; Ability to be on your feet for entirety of 8-hour shift; Ability to climb ladders and maneuver through equipment; Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities

Why Lifeway?

• Explore exciting career growth opportunities in a thriving company
• Enjoy 9 paid holidays annually to rest and recharge
• Access comprehensive benefits, including Medical, Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability coverage—and more!
• Choose from flexible FSA and HSA options to meet your financial and healthcare needs
• Benefit from our Employee Assistance Program, offering support for new parents, legal and financial advice, mental health resources, and much more
• Plan for your future with our 401(k) Profit Sharing contribution match

Lifeway Foods, Inc is a growing Chicago-based beverage manufacturer with 40 years of experience. We are an industry leader in the production of high-quality Kefir. We are anequal-opportunityemployer and offer a competitive benefits package. Visit us atwww.lifewaykefir.com.