Production Operator Lead

Agropur; Little Chute (WI); On-site; USD 86,789,000 - 90,922,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Advancement Opportunities

Healthy work/life balance

2 pay increases within first year

Night shift differential pay

Double time on Sundays

Job summary

Agropur is seeking a Production Operator Lead at our Little Chute, WI plant. You will oversee daily production tasks, ensure cheese quality, and support multiple departments to keep operations running smoothly.

This role emphasizes safety, GMP compliance, and hands-on training of new staff. The position offers night shifts on a 2-2-3 schedule, competitive compensation, and opportunities for advancement.

Qualifications

• Strong verbal and written communication with colleagues and external partners.
• Results-driven mindset with ability to meet targets and deadlines.
• Attention to detail and commitment to quality and cleanliness.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative production environment.
• Willingness to follow procedures and adapt to changing processes.

Responsibilities

• Operate and supervise production processes ensuring in-spec cheese quality.
• Assist departments to maintain safety, efficiency and standard work practices.
• Train and develop new employees on procedures and safety.
• Troubleshoot processes and delegate tasks as needed to meet goals.
• Complete pre‑op inspections and uphold GMPs and SOPs.

Skills

Effective communication

Results oriented

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Organizational skills

Adaptability

Education

High School Diploma

Job description

Job Type:

Regular

People are at the heart of our success. Our culture encourages collaboration, transparency, and accountability in order to generate value and achieve sustainable results. Being part of the team means committing to an environment where everyone’s impact truly matters.

At Agropur, accountability means owning challenges and taking concrete action to achieve results.

An environment that empowers you to take action:

• Rate of Pay: $30.33/hour

• $1.50 Night Shift Differential Pay

• NIGHT SHIFT: 7pm-7am, 2-2-3 Schedule

• Double time on Sundays

• Competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefits package focusing on your physical, financial, and emotional health to include the following perks as well as the standard benefit offerings:

• Advancement Opportunities

• Healthy work/life balance

• 2 pay increases within first year

What you’ll be responsible for each day:

The Production Operator Lead performs all tasks involved in the production of Agropur’s products, ensuring safe and efficient production by following standard work methods and practices. The Production Operator Lead works in all areas of production as needed, assisting all departments in the plant to ensure cheese is in-spec according to customer requirements (fat, moisture, piece count, quality).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Obtain and maintain knowledge of Agropur’s production/cheese process and all equipment/machinery involved.

• Act as back up for plant employees as needed due to breaks, illness, vacations, etc.

• Molders/String

• ACV’s

• AFV’s

• Whey Processing

• Brine System

• Cooker System

• Obtain and maintain technical knowledge in cheesemaking to make accurate real-time decisions related to the cheese making process.

• Adhere to the master cleaning schedule and gasket program.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist Production Supervisor in training and development of new employees; including instructing new employees on proper procedures, safe working practices and producing a quality product.

• Assist Production Supervisor with delegation of employees and troubleshooting processes as needed.

• Completing and signing off on Pre‑op inspections prior to machines starting up.

• Stop any observed GMP violations.

• Take immediate corrective action in the absence of supervisor, report issues to supervisor.

• Meet goals and objectives established with production supervisor.

• Understand and adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices and Standard Operating Procedures.

• Safety Protocol

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities, as management may deem necessary from time to time.

The individual who will own this role:

Education Required:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.

Experience Required:

• Minimum five (5) years of related experience required.
• Previous work experience in a food safety/manufacturing environment required.

Certification/Licensure Required:

• HTST Operators License required.
• Cheesemakers License required.
• PCQI required.
• Forklift or Powered Pallet Jack (in-house training provided) required.

Skills Required:

• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with colleagues and individuals inside and outside the organization.
• Results driven, bottom-line oriented, strive to exceed goals, and motivate self and others to achieve positive outcomes.
• Able to provide current, direct, complete, and “actionable” positive and corrective feedback to others, identifying issues and taking appropriate action.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision, adapt to a changing environment quickly, and think independently.
• Demonstrate excellent organizational skills, establish priorities, ability to multitask, and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrate attention to detail, quality and cleanliness in work.
• Follow one- or two-step verbal instructions; read and follow written instructions; perform routine and repetitive tasks; carry out detailed but uncomplicated written or verbal instructions; complete simple checklists and required documentation.
• Ability to solve problems by adapting knowledge and experience.
• Basic math plus fractions, decimals and percentages.
• Basic computer operational skills; able to input and retrieve computerized information.
• Dedication to meet the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; acts with customers in mind.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively at all levels in a collaborative team environment.
• Exhibit a professional manner in dealing with others and work to maintain constructive working relationships.

AA/EEO – Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity

Where you’ll be working:

• Our Little Chute, WI, plant is home to about 140 employees. This facility is a top manufacturer of IQF sticks that are supplied to the appetizer industry. Next to the plant is our well-known Simon’s Specialty Cheese store, which has about 20 employees. Simon’s is a Wisconsin-themed store, with everything from meats and cheese to clothing and craft spirits.

• Agropur’s US operations produce 1 billion pounds of quality, award-winning cheese each year. We create more than 20 different varieties and provide whey protein and dry ingredients which are by-products of the cheesemaking process. As one of the world’s largest dairy producers, Agropur partners with some of the most recognizable food, beverage and nutrition brands to help feed the world. Better Dairy. Better World. Agropurus.com

An environment that values engagement and encourages everyone to take initiative.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Agropur welcomes people from all backgrounds and origins. We are proud to be an employer with a diverse community and are committed to providing a respectful and inclusive experience for all employees and applicants. We will work with candidates who request accommodation. Please note that an adequate knowledge of French is required for positions in Quebec.

Agropur uses artificial intelligence technology to assist our recruiters in screening, assessing, or selecting applicants for this position.

In this text, the use of the masculine gender to designate persons is intended only to lighten the text.