Filler Operator - 1st Shift

Shift & Pay

• Shift: 1st shift, 4:00am–12:30pm
• Must be able to work overtime, weekends, and holidays
• Hourly pay: $21.00 per hour

About Maola

Built on over a century of dedication, Maola is always looking ahead—investing in our people, strengthening our communities, and securing fresh, local dairy for the future. Join a farmer-owned cooperative rooted in integrity, sustainability, and a passion for providing fresh, high-quality Maola dairy products.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• 401(k) with employer match
• Life Insurance
• Paid time off
• Benefits available within your first month

Summary

Tends machines that perform one or more packaging functions, such as filling, marking, and labeling. Starts machine and observes operation to detect malfunctions. Stops machine and reports malfunction to supervisor. Various machines involved in this operation such as the 30 Valve filler; Quart filler; Nep filler; Bulk filler; 18 Valve plastic filler; and the 1/2 Gallon paper filler.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Tend machine that fills pasteurized products into containers
• Examine containers from all lines for seals, labels, weights, dates, and valves
• Check seals top and bottom for stains and valves for excess leakage
• Review with the lab for approvals of each product change on each machine
• Observe flow of milk into machine and remove defective containers
• Notify foreman of machine malfunction
• Place containers on machine and adjust machines of various sizes
• Record information in 15-minute intervals for weight, date, and label
• Follow all safety and food quality standards
• Perform organoleptic testing (sensory testing with taste, smell, touch, and sight) on finished product
• Other duties may be assigned

Basic Requirements

• High school diploma, General Education Degree (GED), or International Education Equivalent
• Related experience preferred
• Manufacturing experience preferred

Competencies

• Communication: Communicate clearly and effectively through multiple channels – oral, written, visual, and non-verbal – ensuring messages are understood and delivered appropriately, whether in-person or digitally
• Accountability: Take responsibility for actions and anticipate challenges before they arise. Solve problems both within and outside of departments, proactively addressing issues as they occur
• Customer Focused: Prioritize understanding and meeting both internal and external customer needs. Ensure high levels of satisfaction and loyalty by anticipating customer requirements and striving for exceptional service
• Initiative: Proactive in identifying opportunities and addressing potential threats. Act independently and decisively, rather than waiting for situations to demand action
• Problem-Solving: Possess the ability to identify and address complex issues with minimal guidance. Skilled at analyzing challenges and finding practical, effective solutions
• Collaboration: Take responsibility for deliverables while also supporting others to ensure that collective goals are met. Able to work harmoniously with others toward a common goal, recognizing and valuing each person's contributions

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear
• Frequently required to stand and walk
• Must be able to reach, bend, extend, and lift 50–60 pounds
• Requires reaching and handling dairy products and pushing and pulling stacks of products weighing up to 200 lbs
• Frequently required to perform organoleptic assessments, requiring acute physical ability to taste, smell, see, and feel product samples to detect deviations in flavor, aroma, color, and texture
• Must be physically able to consume and evaluate a wide variety of food ingredients, including potential allergens (e.g., dairy, wheat, soy, nuts) processed in the facility

Work Environment

• May require working in the cooler room with varying degrees of temperature and may include contact with water or dairy liquids
• Exposed to a noise level of 90 decibels; noise level is usually moderate to high
• Wet and slippery work conditions