Production Lead

Dairy Farmers of America; Garden City (KS); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Dairy Farmers of America in Garden City, KS, is seeking a Production Operator to support safety, quality, and efficiency across the plant. You will perform start-up, operation, and shutdown of processes such as evaporator, dryer, HTST, and bulk room, while ensuring product quality and compliance with GMP, HACCP, SQF, and safety policies.

The role requires HS diploma or GED, plus experience in production/manufacturing; SAP knowledge is a plus.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Associates Degree or two years of college preferred.
• 1 year of experience in a production or manufacturing environment; 3 years preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support safety priorities and comply with all regulations.
• Follow GMP, HACCP, SQF and QA programs.
• Learn and manage start-up, operation, and shutdown of plant equipment.
• Assist in cost reduction and maintain asset protection.
• Fill in for production vacancies and oversee shifts as needed.
• Lead quarterly shift meetings and participate in safety committees.

Skills

Leadership

Forklift operation

English communication

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Calculations

Production knowledge

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associates degree preferred

Two years college preferred

1 year production experience

Tools

SAP

Job description

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Understand and support safety as the first priority
• Ensure compliance with all company policies, local, state, and federal regulations
• Ensure the following facility programs are followed: Safety, Food Safety, GMP, Preventive Maintenance, Quality Assurance, and Sanitation
• Help ensure all policies and procedures for the American Institute of Baking (AIB), Safe Quality Food (SQF) and Quality Assurance International (QAI -- organic) are followed
• Understand each step of product flow through the entire facility and teach it
• Know how to start, run, shut down, troubleshoot, and CIP the entire process
• Monitor the usage and waste of DFA's purchased items
• Communicate and be aggressive in regards to cost reduction in all areas relating to the Production department (e.g., supplies, line efficiency, labor, services purchased, etc.)
• Maintain a safe, clean, organized work area throughout the facility and office area
• Fill in for vacationing, sick, or otherwise vacant production positions, with little or no notice at times
• Oversee production shift while Production Supervisor is on vacation
• Participate in plant committees, including safety and food safety for at least three months per year
• Lead a shift meeting on a quarterly basis, covering training, pressing issues, and Q&A
• Safeguard and protect all company assets in his or her care
• Demonstrate good judgment in safeguarding customer, company, vendor, and employee information
• Maintain a cooperative working relationship with customers, vendors, employees, and peers
• Handle difficult situations diplomatically
• Consistently show the ability to recognize and deal with priorities
• Maintain a well-groomed, professional appearance for the position and the situation
• Evaporator: Start up, operate, shut down, and clean separators, cream HTST, evaporator, and related equipment in east room. Monitor product for correct percentages, component composition, and temperature. Is responsible for tank hook ups and flow. Perform start up, operation, and shut down of RO
• Dryer operation: Start up, properly operate, shut down, and cleanup of dryer and related equipment. Ensure proper moisture in finished product. Maintain charts and records. Is responsible for product flow, proper tank hook up, directing powder to proper silo, maintaining the air inlet and product transfer filters, bag compartments, dryer box cleaning, and general upkeep
• Processor HTST: Perform duties of pasteurizing raw milk, condensed skim milk, and cream. Make the required tank connection and CIP lines and the HTST as required
• Bulk Room Receiver: Unload raw milk, cream, and condense. Drive tractors and spot semi tankers. Wash tankers, silo, and lines as required as well as perform proper hook ups of tanks, silos, and lines. Monitor amount of milk products being unloaded to prevent overflow of tanks and silos
• Bulk Room Loadout: Is responsible for load out and sampling of liquid products. Wash tankers, silos, and lines; and monitor flow of product. Ensure correct product is loaded and bill of lading is completed correctly. Ensure that all tankers have properly filled out wash tags and seals
• Floorman: Operate equipment. Monitor liquid products that are being pumped to tanks and silos and match the amount to ordered products. Clean and sanitize all product lines
• Powder Bagger: Fill, weigh, seal, and palletize milk powder. Keep accurate and legible records
• Safeguard and protect all company assets and proprietary information
• Maintain cooperative working relationships and communications with employees from all other departments and peers
• 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)

The requirements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employee, but is not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Other duties may be assigned as required.

Minimum Requirements:

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma or GED
• Associates Degree or two years of college preferred
• 1 year of experience in a production or manufacturing environment
• Three years of experience in a manufacturing and or production environment
• Certification and/or License -- None

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge company computer systems, specifically SAP
• Skill in proficient computer usage
• Able to lead a work group
• Able to operate a forklift
• Able to use and understand calculations, production rates and fluid inventories
• Able to perform routine machine adjustments
• Able to communicate clearly and effectively in English, both verbally and in writing
• Able to be proactive in seeking solutions
• Able to work in collaboration effectively and foster good teamwork
• Able to follow directions and meet deadlines
• Able to take appropriate steps to find solutions to problems
• Able to present options and ideas to current processes or procedures
• Able to interpret and apply company policies
• Able to adapt and manage to change effectively
• Able to perform task and duties without constant supervision
• Initiative -- shows willingness and aptitude to use own discretion in taking appropriate steps in finding solutions to problems; presents options and ideas to enhance current processes or procedures. Takes on additional responsibility when both big and small tasks need to be done.
• Integrity -- Firmly adheres to the values and ethics of Dairy Farmers of America. Exhibits honesty, discretion, and sound judgment.
• Cooperativeness -- Willing to work with others, collaborating and compromising where necessary; promptly share relevant information with others.
• Flexibility -- Is open to changing situations and is willing to perform all tasks when and where assigned.
• Independence -- Able and willing to perform tasks and duties without constant supervision.
• Tolerance for Stress / Resiliency -- Maintains a positive "can do" outlook, rebounds quickly from frustrations and unpleasantness, and maintains composure and friendly demeanor while dealing with stressful situations.
• Mathematics: Must be able to use and understand calculations used for unit costs, labor costs, production amounts, and SPC.
• Must be able to read, write, and speak English

EEO/AA/Female/Minority/Disabled/Veteran