DAIRY PROCESS OPERATOR (4 AM - 2 PM, MON-THR)

Lifeway Foods, Inc.; Waukesha (WI); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Lifeway Foods, Inc. in Waukesha, WI is seeking a Dairy Process Operator for a full-time position (4 AM - 2 PM, Mon-Thur). Responsibilities include monitoring production processes, ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards, performing sanitation inspections, and maintaining equipment. Candidates should have a high school diploma and past experience in food manufacturing. Lifeway Foods offers a competitive benefits package and promotes equal opportunity in employment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; or three to six months related experience; or equivalent.
• Past experience in a food manufacturing facility is preferred.
• Ability to read and write comprehensive reports and manuals.

Responsibilities

• Follow Good Manufacturing Procedures (GMPs) for pasteurization.
• Monitor dairy production processes per Standard Operating Procedures.
• Conduct sanitation inspections to ensure cleanliness before production.

Skills

Monitoring production processes

Pre-operational sanitation inspections

Understanding of GMPs

Basic mathematical skills

Knowledge of Manufacturing Software

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook)

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

DAIRY PROCESS OPERATOR (4 AM - 2 PM, MON-THUR)

Full Time, WAUKESHA, WI, US – 4 AM - 2 PM, Mon-Thur (Compressed: 10‑hour shift, 4 days a week)

Lifeway Foods (NASDAQ: LWAY) is America's leading supplier of the probiotic beverage known as Kefir. The company also produces cheese, drinkable yogurt, and a ProBugs line of Kefir for kids. The products are sold across the United States, Mexico, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.

Summary

The Dairy Process Operator 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. This role maintains pasteurizer and other related equipment within the dairy production environment, performing the following duties.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Follow Good Manufacturing Procedures (GMPs) for pasteurization of milk to meet company’s Safe Quality Food (SQF) standards.
• Monitor the dairy production process and follow the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for batching and processing products.
• Conduct pre‑operational sanitation inspections to ensure food processing areas, product contact surfaces, and equipment are clean before production begins.
• Monitor 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 is completed with the required information.
• Report unsafe conditions and food safety violations to the manager.
• Troubleshoot and resolve basic to moderate operating difficulties.
• Handle and maintain the preventative maintenance schedule for the department area.
• Operate equipment at recommended speeds and temperatures; communicate mechanical and operational defects as they arise.
• Operate and clean equipment with a sense of urgency to minimize downtime.
• Utilize a continuous‑improvement mindset and assist in identifying opportunities to improve processes.
• Perform duties according to SOP and Sanitization Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP) that meet quality and safety standards pertaining to HACCP, FDA, EPA, OSHA, USDA, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, 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.
• Past experience in a food manufacturing facility.
• Demonstrated 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.
• Physical requirements: ability to lift 50 lbs.; be on feet for entire 8‑hour shift; ability to climb ladders and maneuver through equipment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities.

Lifeway Foods, Inc is a growing Chicago‑based beverage manufacturer with 40 years of experience and is an equal‑opportunity employer that offers a competitive benefits package. Visit us at www.lifewaykefir.com.