VACATION RELIEF OPERATOR - Intake & Blending

Lifeway Foods, Inc.; Waukesha (WI); On-site; USD 2,066,000 - 2,755,000; Full time

Job summary

Lifeway Foods, Inc. seeks a Vacation Relief Operator in HTST at our Wisconsin dairy facility. You will help ensure product safety and quality by following PMO and SQF standards and maintaining pasteurizer equipment.

Responsibilities include monitoring batching, sanitation checks, documenting results, loading/unloading milk, and performing routine tests per SOPs/SSOPs that meet HACCP, FDA, USDA and customer requirements. Training provided.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 3–6 months related experience or equivalent.
• Ability to read and write reports and communicate with managers.
• Basic math and geometry understanding.

Responsibilities

• Monitor dairy production process for batching and processing products.
• Conduct pre-operational sanitation inspections for clean areas and surfaces.
• Maintain documentation and ensure accuracy of records.
• Operate and sanitize equipment and CIP processes.
• Follow SOPs/SSOPs meeting HACCP, FDA, USDA, OSHA and other standards.

Skills

Leadership & interpersonal skills

Math skills

MS Office proficiency

Lift 50 lbs / 8-hr shift / ladders

Education

High school diploma

3–6 months related experience

Tools

Microsoft Office (Excel & Outlook)

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.

The Vacation Relief Operator in HTST is primarily responsible for ensuring all products are produced to the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) and SQF standards and following Lifeway Wisconsin policies and procedures and maintaining pasteurizer and other related equipment within dairy production environment and by performing the following duties.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Monitor dairy production process for batching and processing products
• Conduct pre-operational sanitation inspections to ensure food processing areas,product contact surfaces and equipment are clean before processing begins
• Monitor quality points such as culturing temperature, fat and other related items as they associate with processing dairy products
• Ensure paperwork is filled in a clear, legible and accurate format and completed with required information
• Run and maintain blenderand other related equipment within dairy production
• Blend dry and wet ingredients for Kefir production
• Inspect all vehicles used for food transporting prior to unloading and/or loading to ensure they are clean, in good repair, suitable for the purpose and free from odors and other conditions that may impact negatively on the product
• Follows facilities procedures for receiving materials to ensure it meets company’s standard for food safety and quality
• Unload, load, and transport of food is documented, implemented and designed to maintain appropriate storage conditions and product integrity
• Pump incoming milk from tank trucks to storage tank and record volume received
• Perform antibiotic tests and other test deemed necessary to the function of the job
• Must pass state mandated tests for receiving milk and testing milk
• Troubleshoot and resolve basic to moderate operating difficulties
• Wash and sanitize interior and exterior of tanks when necessary
• Maintain sanitation of equipment including cleaned-in-place (CIP) and hand cleaning
• Responsible for reporting unsafe conditions to manager along with and food safety violations
• Troubleshoot and resolves basic to moderate operating difficulties
• Handle and maintain preventative maintenance schedule for department area
• Operate equipment at recommended speeds and temperatures; communicates mechanical and operational defects
• Operate and clean equipment with a sense of urgency to minimize downtime
• Utilize continuous improvement mindset, assist in identifying opportunities to improve processes
• 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
• Conduct behavior in compliance with Lifeway Employee Policy
• 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

Lifeway Foods, Inc is a growing Chicago-based beverage manufacturer with over 25 years of experience.

We are an industry leader in the production of high-quality Kefir.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and offer a competitive benefits package.

Visit us atwww.lifewaykefir.com.