Production Operator - 1st Shift

Grande Custom Ingredients Group; Chilton (WI); On-site; USD 22,041 - 49,593; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Low-cost onsite clinics

Free onsite fitness center

Free healthy snacks

Health and wellness reimbursement

Associate cheese purchasing program

Two-year mentorship program

Paid Parental Leave

Job summary

Grande Custom Ingredients Group is hiring for a Production Operator at our new Chilton, WI facility. You will operate dairy intake equipment, monitor performance, and help drive lean manufacturing initiatives to ensure high-quality processing of dairy products.

We value teamwork, safety, and data-driven decision-making, with opportunities for growth as the plant scales. The role requires attention to detail, problem-solving, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced startup environment.

Qualifications

• Candidates should have a high school diploma or GED and manufacturing exposure.
• Ability to operate dairy intake equipment and troubleshoot minor issues.
• Comfort with data entry and equipment monitoring in real-time.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality and safety.
• Experience in lean manufacturing environments is preferred.
• Ability to work in a start-up facility and adapt to changing priorities.
• Team-oriented attitude with cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Monitor equipment for optimal performance and uptime.
• Conduct quality inspections and tests on dairy products.
• Troubleshoot equipment issues and implement basic fixes.
• Support lean initiatives such as 5S, JIT, Kaizen, TPM.
• Maintain accurate records and adhere to regulatory standards.
• Collaborate across teams to drive operational excellence.

Skills

Equipment operation

Troubleshooting

Data entry

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Lean manufacturing awareness

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

$25.70/hour

Job Details

First shift, Monday - Thursday, four 10-hour shifts, 5AM - 3:30 PM. Please note that this plan may evolve as we continue to grow and adapt the Chilton start-up location.

Pay Starting at $25.70/hour. Grande operates under a High-Performance Work Team (HPWT) model; an Associate (employee)-led approach focused on continuous growth, collaboration, and operational excellence. Through our Skill Block system, Associates are placed and progress based on their demonstrated knowledge and abilities, with clear pathways for advancement offering opportunity to grow your skills and responsibilities as you develop within the team.

Job Summary

Grande is now hiring for our brand-new state-of-the-art facility located in Chilton; an exciting opportunity to be part of building something from the ground up! As a Production Operator, you’ll play a vital role in ensuring the efficient and high-quality processing of dairy products by operating and maintaining intake and dairy equipment in alignment with Grande’s Operational Excellence principles. We’re looking for individuals with a strong understanding of lean manufacturing, a commitment to continuous improvement, and a focus on quality, safety, and collaboration.

Key responsibilities in this role include monitoring equipment for optimal performance, conducting quality inspections and tests, troubleshooting issues, and supporting lean initiatives such as Just-In-Time production, 5S, Kaizen, and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM). The role also involves maintaining accurate records, adhering to regulatory standards (ex. FDA, OSHA, USDA), and working cross-functionally to drive operational excellence in a dynamic, team-oriented environment.

Why Grande?

With more than 80 years of crafting "The Finest Italian Cheeses Money Can Buy", Grande is a leader in the industry! Whether partnering with independent pizzerias from coast-to-coast to ensure they’re delivering the very best pizza to their customers or assisting our food manufacturing partners in delivering specialty whey ingredient solutions, our commitment to quality can’t be matched. While Grande’s reputation of excellence in the market is important, we believe our commitment to our workplace and community culture is of equal merit - our Associates come first at Grande. To complement our industry-leading benefits, Grande puts an emphasis on your career growth opportunities, while always promoting a positive work/life balance and supporting the communities in which we live and work. If you want to learn more about our company - what we do and how we go about it - or learn more about our beautiful, state-of-the-art corporate headquarters, visit www.grande.com.

Did we convince you yet? If not, check out our unique benefits

• Low-cost onsite clinics.
• Free onsite fitness center.
• Free healthy snacks throughout the facility.
• Health and wellness reimbursement program.
• Associate cheese purchasing program.
• Two-year mentorship program.
• Paid Parental Leave

Why Chilton?

Located in the heart of Calumet County, Chilton blends small-town charm with big opportunity. With a cost of living 5% below the Wisconsin average and housing prices well below national levels, it’s an affordable and attractive place to live, work, and grow your career. Known for its safety, welcoming community, and strong local values, Chilton offers an ideal environment for those seeking to unwind, recharge, and embrace a relaxed and balanced lifestyle.

Chilton also features easy access to parks and outdoor recreation, a walkable downtown with local dining and entertainment, and annual festivals that celebrate the area’s local culture and community spirit. As the proud home of Grande’s newest start-up location, Chilton presents a unique opportunity to be part of something new and impactful, joining an organization dedicated to professional excellence, enriching the lives of our Associates (employees), and fulfilling "a purpose greater than ourselves".

What You Need To Be Considered For The Role

• High School or GED
• 1-4 years of advanced manufacturing experience
• Ability to operate and troubleshoot dairy intake equipment.
• Basic understanding of mechanical and control systems related to processing equipment.
• Proficient in using computer systems for data entry and equipment monitoring.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing priorities within a start-up environment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Ability to follow standard work, maintain a safe work environment, and address/correct deviations.

Preferred

• Previous experience in dairy processing or food manufacturing environments preferred.
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles, especially high-performance work teams, is highly desirable.
• Additional technical training or certifications in dairy processing, food technology, or related fields is a plus.

Physical Demands And Work Conditions

This role requires the ability to regularly lift and move objects weighing between 20-50 lbs, as well as frequent walking, standing, bending, climbing, and exposure to vibration. The work environment may involve exposure to extreme temperatures (both hot and cold), high humidity, and loud machinery.