Dryer Department Night Team Lead

dfa; Minnesota; On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Dairy Farmers of America is seeking a Dryer Team Lead to supervise the dryer floor, guide workgroups, boost throughput, and reduce CIP times while pursuing 0 defects in a GMP‑compliant, safe, sanitary environment.

You will oversee training, sanitation schedules, QA programs, and basic quality testing; monitor process data, perform light maintenance, complete SAP/data entry, and ensure compliance with all state and federal health and safety requirements.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required; Supervisory experience preferred in food manufacturing.
• Must be able to read, write and speak English.

Responsibilities

• Learns, understands, and performs each job within the dryer department.
• Ensures sanitation schedules and QA programs are fulfilled on time.
• Understands the dehydrated process and monitors rate, QA problems, staffing, changeovers and CIP times.
• Understands basic maintenance on pumps, valves and sanitation stations.
• Makes process adjustments to achieve right‑first‑time product quality.
• Prints product labels; SAP/data entry.
• Maintains safe working conditions and complies with health and safety regulations.
• Adheres to DFA GMP and all related policies; participates in safety trainings.

Skills

Independence

Quality testing

HTST troubleshooting

Calculations & inventory

Logs & sanitation schedules

Maintenance

English proficiency

EOE awareness

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Supervisory experience in food manufacturing preferred

Job description

General Purpose:

The Dryer Team Lead is the leader on the floor. They will be looked towards for leading workgroups, increasing thru-put and decreasing CIP times. The team lead will ensure that our goal of 0 defects is achieved in a safe and sanitary department following all GMP and safe work practices.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Learns, understands, and performs each job within the dryer department
• Ensures the master sanitation schedule and quality assurance programs are fulfilled on time
• Understands the dehydrated process and what is happening within each area during the shift, including rate, QA problems, staffing problems, change over times and clean in place times
• Understands basic maintenance on pumps, valves and sanitation stations
• Understands how to make process adjustments as necessary for achieving right the first time with products
• Prints out product labels
• SAP/data entry
• Maintains safe working conditions for employees and compliance with all state and federal regulations regarding health and safety issues
• Dedicate effort to safety as we expect every employee to leave work in the same condition as they arrive
• Follow all DFA good manufacturing practices (GMP) and work in a manner consistent with all corporate regulatory, food safety, quality, and sanitation requirements
• Exhibit the values and ethics of Dairy Farmers of America through honesty, discretion, and sound judgment
• Adhere to all DFA Quality, Safety and GMP policies and procedures and report any nonconformity
• Attend required training, including but not limited to, Safety, GMP, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP), and Safe Quality Foods (SQF)
• Perform other work as assigned

Minimum Requirements:

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma or GED required
• Supervisory experience in food manufacturing preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Perform work independently as required
• Perform basic quality testing as necessary, including but not limited to total solids%, butterfat%
• Able to understand the cream HTST system to effectively troubleshoot issues as they arise
• Able to use and understand calculations, production rates and fluid inventories
• Able to prepare and comprehend evaporator logs and master sanitation schedules
• Perform necessary routine cleaning and preventive maintenance
• Able to work in a hot environment
• Able to work a full 12 hour or longer shift plus overtime as needed
• Must be able to read, write and speak English
• EEO/AA/Female/Minority/Disabled/Veteran