Vat Operator-Mozzarella Make

Lactalis USA; Nampa (ID); On-site; USD 36,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off from day one

Education Reimbursement

Retirement plan contributions

Job summary

Lactalis USA in Nampa, ID, is seeking a Vat Operator IV to support cheese production in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment. You will manage pasteurization, CIP, line prep, and recordkeeping while ensuring quality and regulatory compliance.

The role involves training and guiding small teams, working autonomously, and contributing to process improvements. Join a globally leading dairy company with strong benefits and growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Six months experience in food manufacturing preferred.
• Knowledge of cheese making processes and HMI systems.
• Basic math and measurement skills required.

Responsibilities

• Operate pasteurizer start-up/shut-down and CIP.
• Prepare lines and cream addition equipment for cheese making.
• Record lab results and perform sample analyses (pH, titratable acidity).
• Use PLCs to control equipment and monitor processes.
• Follow recipes for cheese products and maintain accurate records.
• Train staff and supervise small groups as needed.
• Maintain clean work areas and support sanitation duties.
• Support continual process improvement and audits (ISO/HACCP).

Skills

Cheese making

HMI operation

Problem solving

Math basics

Team training

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Tools

PLC programming

Job description

Job Type

Full-time

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.

From your PASSION to ours

Lactalis American Group, part of the Lactalis family of companies, is currently hiring a Vat Operator IV based in Nampa, ID

The Vat Operator IV

is responsible for the portion of the cheese making operations beginning with the raw milk silos, milk HTST, "OO" vats, starter and cream addition systems, and curd pump operations. All critical phases will be monitored and controlled within specification by cheese type. Individual will be able to start-up, shutdown, CIP, and troubleshoot problems.

From your EXPERTISE to ours

Key responsibilities for this position include:

• Properly prepare lines and cream addition equipment for the cheese making process.
• Milk pasteurizer operation to include proper start up, principles of high temperature/short time pasteurization operation and associated legal record keeping requirements, shut down and cleaning.
• Monitor and record cheese making process by properly sampling and performing laboratory analysis to include pH and titratable acidities.
• Use PLC operating skills to properly operate and control equipment.
• Follow prescribed recipes for the various cheese products.
• Responsible for maintaining accurate and timely cheese making records, including deviations, observations, ingredient supplier and codes, as well as lab results.
• Prepare all equipment for cleaning and perform CIP functions.
• Train other personnel and directs small groups with job tasks as necessary.
• Work autonomously and as a contributing team member.
• Perform sanitation duties as assigned, and keep work area clean/organized.
• Take immediate corrective action for any product that does not meet quality or product specifications.
• Contribute to continual process improvement and increased performance.
• Participate in internal/external audits and maintain ISO22000/ISO9001/HACCP compliance.
• Attend department meetings and trainings as assigned by supervisor or manager.

Requirements

From your STORY to ours

Qualified applicants will contribute the following:

Education

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

Experience

• Six months experience and/or training in similar field, or combination of the equivalent.
• Previous work experience in a food manufacturing environment a plus.

Specialized Knowledge

• Working knowledge of cheese making technology and HMI's.

Skills / Abilities

• Basic mathematical skills are required, must be able to calculate averages, understand units of measurement, fractions, decimals, rates, and compute ratio's and percentages.
• Draw and interpret graphs and charts.
• Strong problem solving skills.

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