Graduate Trainee

Hilmar Cheese Company; Hilmar (CA); On-site; USD 69,000 - 103,000; Full time

Job summary

Hilmar Cheese Company invites recent graduates to join a structured 24‑month rotational Graduate Trainee Program designed to fast‑track careers in manufacturing and business operations. You will rotate across facilities in Hilmar, CA, Dalhart, TX and Dodge City, KS, gaining broad exposure to operations, engineering, quality, and leadership development.

Participants will build leadership and problem‑solving skills while contributing to safety, quality, and process improvements.

Qualifications

• Leadership, analytical and problem solving abilities.
• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Ability to work weekends, holidays, and rotating shifts.

Responsibilities

• Participate in cross-functional rotational assignments to gain broad exposure to manufacturing operations, engineering, quality, technical services, and business functions.
• Support operational, technical, and continuous improvement projects that enhance safety, quality, productivity, and business performance.
• Analyze data and develop insights using enterprise systems and reporting tools to support decision-making and problem-solving.
• Assist with product commercialization, process optimization, quality initiatives, and plant performance improvements.
• Gain exposure to customer interactions, audits, regulatory requirements, and food safety programs.
• Collaborate with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to understand end-to-end manufacturing processes.
• Present project results, recommendations, and key learnings to leadership throughout the program.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Job description

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At Hilmar Cheese Company we improve lives around the world through wholesome dairy products. Since our founding in 1984, Hilmar Cheese Company has been committed to innovation and sustainability. Our state-of-the art production facilities convert an abundance of locally sourced high-quality milk into a variety of nutritious cheeses, whey protein and lactose. The Cheese and Ingredients that we produce create a wide variety of retail and food service products from sliced and shredded cheeses, to protein supplements and infant formula. We are a trusted partner to premier food and beverage brands in more than fifty countries helping bring their vision into reality.

Throughout our decades of success and growth we have remained committed to our mission and values and these principles unite our people and guide all that we do.

A Typical Day

The Graduate Trainee Program offers recent graduates the opportunity to accelerate their professional growth through a structured 24-month rotational development program designed to prepare graduates for careers in manufacturing and business operations. The program provides broad exposure to manufacturing operations, engineering, quality assurance, food safety, process technology, supply chain, project management, technical services, and leadership development.

Participants will gain experience through rotational assignments across multiple manufacturing facilities, providing broad exposure to operations and business functions. Participants will need to rotate through any of our facilities located in Hilmar, CA, Dalhart, TX and Dodge City, KS.

Job Responsibilities

• Participate in cross-functional rotational assignments to gain broad exposure to manufacturing operations, engineering, quality, technical services, and business functions.
• Support operational, technical, and continuous improvement projects that enhance safety, quality, productivity, and business performance.
• Analyze data and develop insights using enterprise systems and reporting tools to support decision-making and problem-solving.
• Assist with product commercialization, process optimization, quality initiatives, and plant performance improvements.
• Gain exposure to customer interactions, audits, regulatory requirements, and food safety programs.
• Collaborate with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to understand end-to-end manufacturing processes.
• Participate in leadership development activities, mentoring, training programs, and project presentations.
• Shadow leaders across the organization to develop business acumen and operational leadership capabilities.
• Complete assigned training related to safety, food safety, environmental compliance, and industry best practices.
• Present project results, recommendations, and key learnings to leadership throughout the program.
• Learn, operate, and demonstrate the proper use of various equipment in accordance with safety and operational standards.

What You Will Need

• Bachelor's degree in a related field required; degree must have been completed within the last two years at program start
• Ability to work weekends, holidays, and rotating shifts.
• Able to demonstrate development of leadership, critical thinking, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Strong reasoning, analytical and problem solving skills.
• Self-motivated with a results-driven approach.
• Ability to lift up to 60 lbs.

What Will Put You Ahead

• Manufacturing experience.
• Internal applicants: level 5 role in operations with demonstrated leadership capabilities
• University Applicants : minimum 3.0 GPA
• Has completed/in the process of completing HCC Level 1 Leadership training

Physical Demands & Work Environment

This role requires physical exertion, exposure to potentially hazardous conditions or safety hazards. The majority of time is spending walking or standing. There are occasional periods of sedentary work. Is required to wear PPE and have a regular presence in manufacturing and warehouse environments in both temperature controlled and uncontrolled locations. Must frequently interact with people verbally. Specific details of the essential functions of the position is available in the Job Safety Analysis, made available on request.

Food safety is a companywide responsibility and each employee must know their role in the manufacture and distribution of safe, wholesome, and high quality products.

This description is a general statement and does not include other duties as assigned

Hilmar Cheese Company, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer/EEO. We participate in E-Verify.

Salary Range: USD ($68,879.00 - $103,319.00) ANN

The final compensation offered within this range will depend on factors including the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.