Feta Unmolding Operator

Lactalis American Group; Tulare (CA); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Total Rewards Program

Education Reimbursement

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Lactalis Heritage Dairy, part of the Lactalis family, is hiring a Feta Unmolding Operator based in Tulare, CA. The role focuses on cheese unmolding, salting, and sanitation to support curing and production flow.

You will collaborate across teams to ensure proper handling, weighing, and adherence to safety standards, while contributing to continuous improvement and response to production needs.

Qualifications

• Ability to perform physical tasks including standing for extended periods, lifting, bending, and repetitive motion.
• Specialized training or licenses relevant to the role (e.g., forklift certification).
• Demonstrated business participation (e.g., Level 1 involvement, safety, process improvement).
• Performed prior experience in similar positions.
• Basic computer skills and ability to use Word, Excel, Outlook, SAP or similar systems for documentation and traceability.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality and safety standards.
• Good communication skills and ability to work in a team-oriented environment.

Responsibilities

• Operate cheese unmolding processes, following FIFO and HMI systems.
• Assist with unmolding, salting, and sanitation of the draining table.
• Load conveyors with clean racks and stack trays; weigh cheeses and monitor weights.
• Perform spot checks on mold washer and ensure equipment functionality.
• Move racks to curing rooms and document weights and movement.
• Maintain cleaning of draining table and sanitation of equipment and surroundings.
• Provide cross-training coverage and assist with continuous improvement initiatives.
• Follow safety procedures including LOTO and coordinate downtime with the team.

Job description

Description

Ready for more than just a job? Build a career with purpose.

At Lactalis in the USA, we're committed to providing meaningful opportunities for our people to learn, grow, and thrive- whether you're just starting your journey with us or looking to take the next step in your career. From day one, we offer the tools and support to help you succeed.

As the world leader in dairy, Lactalis is a family‑owned company with over 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals across the globe. Each day, we're proud to produce award‑winning dairy products that bring people together.

In the US, we proudly offer an unrivaled house of beloved brands, including Galbani® Italian cheeses and ricotta, Président® specialty cheeses and butters, Kraft® natural and grated cheeses, Breakstone’s® cottage cheese, Cracker Barrel®, Black Diamond® cheddar, and Parmalat® milk. Our yogurt portfolio includes siggi’s®, Stonyfield Organic®, Brown Cow™, Oui®, Yoplait®, Go-Gurt®, :ratio®, Green Mountain Creamery®, and Mountain High®, along with a growing family of ethnic favorites like Karoun®, Gopi®, and Arz®.

At Lactalis, we live by our core values- Ambition, Engagement, and Simplicity. We foster a workplace where innovation thrives, diverse perspectives are celebrated, and everyone's unique background and ideas are valued.

Even if you don't meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply. We want to hear about your PASSION, your STORY, and how your EXPERTISE can help us shape the future of dairy.

From your PASSION to ours

Lactalis Heritage Dairy, part of the Lactalis family of companies, is currently hiring a Feta Unmolding Operator based in Tulare, CA.

As a Feta Unmolding Operator, the role will carry out responsibilities such as but not limited to managing the cheese unmolding, salting and sanitation of the draining table. This role ensures that cheese is properly handled and prepared for curing. Additionally, the Feta Unmolding Operator plays a vital role in supporting production flow, equipment functionality and will collaborate across roles with team members to align duties with the company’s goals and values.

From your EXPERTISE to ours

The required skills below are not limited to the following:

• Manage the cheese unmolding process by following FIFO procedures and operating the HMI system
• Assist with cheese unmolding, salting, and sanitation of the draining table as needed
• Load conveyors with clean, empty racks and manual stack trays
• Perform spot checks on the mold washer to ensure proper functionality
• Load 50 lb. salt bags into the hopper and weigh cheese racks before and after salting
• Transfer clean cheese racks to the loading station and move salted racks into curing rooms, recording weights as required
• Perform manual cleaning of the draining table and sanitation of equipment and surrounding areas.
• Perform all secondary tasks associated with the role, including:
  • Cleaning the clauger+ A/C socks
  • Bring a week's supply of salt into the warm room to dry
  • Check the blockmold washer after breaks to ensure proper cleaning
  • Performing salter pressure differential checks weekly
  • Verifying scale accuracy by weighing empty racks before and after curing
  • Replacing salter filters if production exceeds six hours of runtime
  • Assist with period cleaning, downtime, TPM, and other production needs including emergency situations
  • Maintain cleanliness and organization of the work area; restock supplies such as towels, soap, and sanitizer.
  • Provide coverage so that team members can attend meetings, cross-train, take breaks, and/or work on projects
  • Communicate effectively with team members regarding downtime coordination, cleaning schedules, restart planning, and relevant information as needed
  • Actively participate in continuous improvement initiatives
  • Conduct failure analysis, document root causes, and implement changes
  • Perform daily sanitation tasks, including Clean-in-Place (CIP) and Master Sanitation Schedule (MSS) responsibilities
  • Follow all safety procedures and guidelines, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), and communicate relevant business information to team members
  • Assist with troubleshooting equipment and collaborate with maintenance teams when needed
  • Foster a supportive environment where teamwork continues even after individual responsibilities are fulfilled
  • Complete required training and qualifications in accordance with established processes
  • Maintain reliable attendance and flexibility to learn and perform multiple roles within the department
  • Perform other assignments as needed by the team or Steering team

Requirements

From your STORY to ours

Qualifications:

• Ability to perform physical tasks including standing for extended periods, lifting, bending, and repetitive motion
• Must work in a safe, sanitary, and productive manner in accordance with LHD GMPs
• Specialized training or licenses relevant to the role (e.g., forklift certification)
• Demonstrated business participation (e.g., Level 1 involvement, safety, process improvement)
• Performed prior experience in similar positions
• Basic computer skills and ability to use Word, Excel, Outlook, SAP or similar systems for documentation and traceability
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality and safety standards
• Good communication skills and ability to work in a team-oriented environment

At Lactalis, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Program with a variety of affordable benefits and coverage options. We support insurance costs significantly, contribute generously to retirement plans, and offer Paid Time Off from day one. We are committed to your professional growth, providing training and development opportunities, including Education Reimbursement. Join us and grow your career.

Lactalis is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally‑recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities. Further, any division of the Company that is an "Affirmative Action Employer" will comply with all related legal obligations.