Production Operator (1st Shift)

Lactalis American Group; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 34,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Job summary

Lactalis American Group is hiring a Production Operator in Belmont, Wisconsin. The role involves working in cheese production functions to ensure continuous and efficient line operation. Candidates must be able to work over 40 hours per week, with weekends required.

The position requires physical stamina and attention to detail, with tasks including operating equipment, weighing cheese, and completing paperwork while maintaining safety and GMP standards.

Qualifications

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Good manual dexterity and physical stamina.
• Ability to stand for entire shift and perform repetitive motions.
• Basic math skills for calculations and record-keeping.

Responsibilities

• Meet efficiency budgets while maintaining high quality products.
• Load and unload trays/molds, stage bascular, and ensure proper molding.
• Operate cheese production equipment such as stackers, unmolders, and rack washer.
• Weigh cheese and complete paperwork accurately.
• Maintain clean and organized work area and report production issues.

Skills

Attention to detail

Manual dexterity

Vision abilities

Stamina

Repetitive tasks

Education

High School Diploma/GED

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.

Requirements

From your PASSION to ours

Lactalis American Group, part of the Lactalis family of companies, is currently hiring a Production Operator based in Belmont, Wiconsin. Production team members are responsible for working in a variety of cheese making production functions to ensure continuous and efficient line operation. Candidates must be able to work over 40 hours per week (weekends are required). This job is physical and fast-paced.

From your EXPERTISE to ours

Key responsibilities for this position include:

• Meet efficiency budget levels with maintaining a high quality product
• Must remove and load trays/molds
• Stage bascular with appropriate cookie sheets
• Complete repetition task, ensuring the even spread of curd into appropriate mold
• Pull cheese on to draining room tables from chariot
• Ensure all whey pipes are properly hooked up
• Turn cheese in draining rooms
• Run machines (ex: stacker(s), unmolder, rack washer)
• Place racks on unmolding conveyor
• Weigh cheese
• Complete paperwork as assigned, accurately and legible
• Maintain open line of communication with all line workers and room supervisor
• Perform sanitation duties as assigned
• Keep work area clean and organized
• Report production problems and/or concerns to the on duty supervisor
• Attend departmental meetings and training as assigned by the supervisor and/or manager
• Apply the safety rules and ensure they are implemented and followed
• Apply the Good Manufacturing Practices Standard
• Perform other work duties as assigned

Candidate must have the following attributes/skills; strong attention to detail and accuracy, personal qualities of tact and dependability, possess good manual dexterity, able to push/pull/lift and carry at least 30 pounds continuously and 50 pounds occasionally, be able to stand for entire shift, be able to perform repetitive movements (e.g. twisting, gripping, lifting, bending, reaching).

From your STORY to ours

Education

• High School Diploma/General Education Degree (GED) is preferred

Experience

• Previous employment in a food industry setting is preferred
• Stable and dependable work history is required

Knowledge of

• Basic mathematical skills are required (must be able to calculate averages)

Skills/Abilities

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Manual dexterity
• Vision abilities (close, distance color and ability to focus)
• Push/pull/lift and carry at least 30 pounds continuously and 50 pounds occasionally,
• Stand for entire shift
• Perform repetitive movements (e.g. twisting, gripping, lifting, bending, reaching)

The ideal candidate will be proactive and dynamic, flexible and receptive to new ideas, down to earth and pragmatic, analytical and attentive to detail. He or she will also be capable of working independently in adherence to regulations, of managing stress and remaining calm under pressure, and be able to demonstrate an inquiring mind and well-developed observational skills. Will demonstrate a sense of responsibility and high professional standards, honesty and integrity, and objectivity.

Pay: $24.55/hour or more, dependent upon skills and experience. Weekend pay: 20% (+$4.91/hr). Lactalis offers very competitive pay, benefits and paid time off.

Hours: 6:00 AM to 2:15 PM.

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.