Production Operator (1st Shift)

Lactalis USA; Town of Belmont (WI); On-site; USD 27,901 - 39,738; Full time

Job summary

Lactalis USA is hiring for a production role in a dairy facility. The position focuses on efficient cheese production with attention to quality and safety. You will handle trays, operate equipment, and perform routine tasks across the line while maintaining cleanliness and compliance.

The ideal candidate has basic math skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to stand for long shifts. Prior food industry experience is preferred but not required, with opportunities for growth and

Qualifications

• High school diploma preferred.
• Food industry experience preferred.
• Stable and dependable work history required.
• Basic math skills to calculate averages.
• Ability to push/pull/lift and carry 30–50 pounds.
• Stand for the entire shift and perform repetitive movements.

Responsibilities

• Meet efficiency budget levels while maintaining a high quality product.
• Remove and load trays/molds.
• Stage bascular with appropriate cookie sheets.
• Complete repetition task, ensuring even spread of curd into appropriate mold.
• Pull cheese onto draining room tables from chariot.
• Ensure all whey pipes are properly hooked up.
• Turn cheese in draining rooms.
• Run machines (e.g., stacker, unmolder, rack washer).
• Place racks on unmolding conveyor.
• Weigh cheese.
• Complete paperwork accurately and legibly.
• Maintain open communication with line workers and supervisor.
• Perform sanitation duties as assigned.
• Keep work area clean and organized.
• Report production problems to the on‑duty supervisor.
• Attend departmental meetings and training.
• Apply safety rules and GMPs.

Skills

Attention to detail

Manual dexterity

Lift 30-50 lbs

Stand for full shift

Repetitive motions

Teamwork

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Job 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, President 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.

Responsibilities

• Meet efficiency budget levels while maintaining a high quality product.
• Remove and load trays/molds.
• Stage bascular with appropriate cookie sheets.
• Complete repetition task, ensuring even spread of curd into appropriate mold.
• Pull cheese onto 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).

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

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

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.

Salary Description

Starting at $24.55/hr