Ice Cream Operator

Idaho Milk Products; Jerome (ID); On-site; USD 22,041 - 30,307; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision

401(k) with company match

Paid time off (PTO)

Job summary

Idaho Milk Products in Jerome, ID, is hiring an Ice Cream Operator to support all stages of production and packaging. The role involves operating mixers, freezers, extrusion and filling equipment, monitoring quality, and maintaining sanitation to ensure safety and efficiency.

Day shift with potential for swing shifts, full-time, non-exempt, with comprehensive benefits and a weekday schedule. Two openings exist, and candidates should have a high school diploma or equivalent, with preferred

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Technical training in food processing preferred.
• Experience in dairy or food manufacturing preferred.
• Ability to operate and adjust production equipment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to product quality.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and process ice cream mixes, including measuring and adding ingredients according to formulations.
• Operate flavor vats, ensuring proper blending, temperature control, and batch accuracy.
• Operate and monitor continuous freezers, adjusting settings for overrun, viscosity, and temperature.
• Set up, operate, and monitor extrusion equipment for producing novelties and specialty products.
• Perform machine adjustments for speed, temperature, and product specifications during production runs.
• Conduct equipment changeovers and ensure proper sanitation between product runs.
• Operate and monitor filler machinery to ensure proper filling, sealing, labeling, and date coding.
• Verify that product, packaging materials, and labels match production specifications.
• Perform regular quality checks for fill weight, seal integrity, and packaging appearance.

Skills

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Safety awareness

Mechanical aptitude

Reading SOPs

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Technical training in food processing preferred

Tools

Filler machinery

Freezer equipment

Extrusion equipment

Packaging machinery

Job description

• Day or Swing Shift, Monday to Friday. Subject to change based on business needs.
• We are delighted to offer a comprehensive benefits package that encompasses Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Supplemental Insurance, Vacation, Holiday Pay, Personal Time Off (PTO), and a 401(k) plan with a company match. Eligibility and waiting periods may apply.

Department

IC-Production

Location

Ice Cream Plant

City

Jerome

State/Territory

Idaho

Reports To

Ice Cream Supervisor

Employment Status

Full time

FLSA Status

Non-exempt

Shifts

Day Shift

# of openings:

2

Shift

• Day or Swing Shift, Monday to Friday. Subject to change based on business needs.

Benefits

• We are delighted to offer a comprehensive benefits package that encompasses Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Supplemental Insurance, Vacation, Holiday Pay, Personal Time Off (PTO), and a 401(k) plan with a company match. Eligibility and waiting periods may apply.

Position Summary

The Ice Cream Operator is responsible for operating and monitoring equipment used throughout the ice cream production and packaging process, including mixing, freezing, extrusion, filling, and both primary and secondary packaging. This role ensures product quality, safety, and consistency while supporting efficient production flow, sanitation standards, and cross‑functional teamwork.

Essential Functions, Duties And Performance Responsibilities

Production & Processing Operations

• Prepare and process ice cream mixes, including measuring and adding ingredients according to formulations.
• Operate flavor vats, ensuring proper blending, temperature control, and batch accuracy.
• Operate and monitor continuous freezers, adjusting settings for overrun, viscosity, and temperature.
• Set up, operate, and monitor extrusion equipment for producing novelties and specialty products.
• Perform machine adjustments for speed, temperature, and product specifications during production runs.
• Conduct equipment changeovers and ensure proper sanitation between product runs.

Filling & Primary Packaging

• Operate and monitor filler machinery to ensure proper filling, sealing, labeling, and date coding.
• Verify that product, packaging materials, and labels match production specifications.
• Perform regular quality checks for fill weight, seal integrity, and packaging appearance.

Secondary Packaging & Palletizing

• Operate case packers, labelers, palletizers, and related machinery.
• Verify correct packaging materials and labels for each run.
• Palletize finished goods and stage for storage or shipment.

Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Conduct in process quality checks for weight, texture, mix quality, flavor accuracy, and visual appearance.
• Follow all FDA, HACCP, SQF, and GMP food safety and sanitation requirements.
• Document production, quality, and sanitation data accurately and promptly.
• Report deviations, equipment issues, or safety concerns immediately.

Maintenance & Troubleshooting

• Perform basic troubleshooting on production equipment.
• Coordinate with maintenance technicians for needed repairs.
• Ensure that equipment is cleaned, sanitized, and maintained according to SOPs.

Safety, Sanitation & Teamwork

• Maintain a clean and safe work environment, adhering to all safety protocols.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Communicate effectively with production, maintenance, and quality teams.
• Perform daily cleaning, sanitation, and production setup tasks.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support operational or business needs.

Education

POSITION SPECIFICATIONS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Technical training in food processing preferred.

Experience

• Prior experience in dairy or food manufacturing preferred but not required.
• Experience with fillers, freezers, extrusion equipment, or packaging machinery a plus.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Ability to operate and adjust mechanical production equipment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to product quality.
• Ability to read and follow written instructions, formulations, and SOPs.
• Basic math and measurement skills.
• Effective communication and teamwork skills.
• Mechanical aptitude and problem‑solving ability.
• Dependable, safety‑focused, and able to work flexible hours as needed.

Additional Responsibilities

• Perform other duties as assigned to support operational or business needs.

Physical Requirements

• Environmental exposure to warehouses stored at ambient (60-70° F), refrigerated (35° F), and frozen (minus 20° F) temperatures.
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for short distances on a regular basis.
• Subject to up to at least 92db’s
• Lifting: up to 20 lbs. occasionally
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, on a regular basis
• Reaching: Extending hands and arms in any direction
• Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist occasionally
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities that must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly
• Ability to work in ambient, refrigerated, and frozen environments.