VACATION RELIEF OPERATOR - Cooler/Warehouse (10AM to 6PM)

Lifeway Foods, Inc.; Waukesha (WI); On-site; USD 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Lifeway Foods, Inc. is seeking a Vacation Relief Operator to cover packaging, filling, and shipping during planned vacations. You will follow SQF requirements and Lifeway Wisconsin policies while ensuring proper fill weights, accurate lot numbers, and clean, safe operating conditions.

The role supports multiple shifts, including early start times, and requires a high school diploma or equivalent, basic math, and proficiency with MS Office and manufacturing software.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; 3–6 months related experience acceptable.
• Able to read and write reports and procedures; communicate with teams and managers.
• Basic math and measurement skills; familiarity with algebra and geometry.
• Knowledge of Manufacturing Software, Inventory Software, and MS Office (Excel, Outlook).

Responsibilities

• Operate and clean filling machines per SOP and SQF standards.
• Perform pre-operational sanitation inspections to ensure clean areas and surfaces.
• Work in a cold environment with provided uniform.
• Inspect bottles for weight, color, flavor and packaging accuracy.
• Ensure correct lot numbers and sleeves applied; report machine status to supervisor.

Skills

Reading & reporting

Basic math

Microsoft Office (Excel & Outlook)

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Excel

Outlook

Manufacturing software

Inventory software

Job description

Lifeway Foods (NASDAQ: LWAY), which has been recognized as one of Forbes’ Best Small Companies, is America’s leading supplier of the probiotic beverage known as Kefir. In addition to its line of drinkable Kefir, the company also produces cheese, drinkable yogurt, and a ProBugs line of Kefir for kids. Lifeway’s tart and tangy fermented dairy products are sold across the United States, Mexico, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.

Summary

This position is primarily responsible for covering vacations for the packaging, filling, and shipping departments. Following SQF standards along with Lifeway Wisconsin policies and procedures by performing the following duties.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Follows SQF Requirements along with the company’s procedures to operate and clean filling machines
• Conducts pre-operational sanitation inspections to ensure food processing areas, product contact surfaces and equipment are clean before processing begins
• Ability to work in cold environment, appropriate uniform attire provided by Lifeway
• Inspects bottles being filled and conduct random weight tests to ensure proper fill amounts
• Ensure product weight within defined specification and provide corrective action when weights cannot be met
• Communicates machine status and unacceptable bottle quality to supervisor and/or Plant Manager
• Inspect product for color, flavor, texture
• Follow work instructions to ensure correct packaging materials are used
• Performs basic troubleshooting and routine maintenance on filling machines
• Comply with safety regulation and maintains a clean and orderly work area
• Ensures that inbound and outbound shipments are accurate, free of damage and follow SQF system along with company’s policies and procedures for such materials
• Pull and prepare product for shipping, ensuring the exact number and type of product is loaded and shipped
• Move product to storage locations, efficiently stacks and stores product in appropriate areas
• Wrap order on pallet for shipment
• Follow company’s procedures to operate and clean sleeving and packaging machine
• Follow work instructions to ensure correct sleeves are applied to bottles
• Inspect sleeves are being put on properly by machine
• Ensure lot number is correctly applied to containers
• Communicate machine status and unacceptable bottle quality to supervisor and/or Plant Manager
• Report to workstation on time; Wear proper work attire; Assist in setting up work area
• Conduct behavior in compliance with Lifeway Employee Policy
• Perform duties according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and Sanitization Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP) that meet quality and safety standards pertaining to: Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points (HACCP), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Wisconsin Department of Agriculture (WDA), and customer requirements
• Perform additional duties as assigned

Qualification and Education Requirements

• High school diploma required; Or three to six months related experience; Or equivalent
• Demonstrate intellectual and interpersonal skills through leadership, organization, and self-efficacy
• Ability to read and write comprehensive reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals and effectively present them to groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public
• Basic mathematical skills and understanding of algebra and geometry
• Knowledge of Manufacturing Software, Inventory Software, and Microsoft Office including Excel and Outlook
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs.; Ability to be on your feet for entirety of 8-hour shift; Ability to climb ladders and maneuver through equipment; Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities

NOTE

The Vacation Relief Operator has a varying start time that can range from 4am to 8am. Supervisors create the schedule at least two weeks in advance so employees can plan accordingly.

Lifeway Foods, Inc is a growing Chicago-based beverage manufacturer with 40 years of experience. We are an industry leader in the production of high-quality Kefir. We are anequal-opportunityemployer and offer a competitive benefits package. Visit us atwww.lifewaykefir.com.