Food Processing Technician — Dairy Production Technician

About the role

Assist in the production of processed food products at the MSU Dairy Foods Complex and the MSU Food Processing and Innovation Center. As part of MSU Extension (MSUE), and the Community, Food and Environment Institute, this position supports operations in the Dairy Foods Complex and the Food Processing and Innovation Center (FPIC) at Michigan State University. The Food Processing Technician will support day-to-day operations by performing production, processing, and sanitation activities associated with food manufacturing. This position operates and monitors processing equipment, ensures compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and applicable state and federal regulations, and contributes to maintaining product quality, safety, and efficiency in a food-grade production environment.

Your role requires hands-on work in a fast-paced manufacturing setting, including exposure to wet, cold, and variable-temperature environments. Through your problem-solving ability in a production environment, you will work to set up, clean, and sanitize processing and packaging equipment in compliance with sanitation standard operating procedures (SSOPs), conduct basic troubleshooting and report equipment malfunctions to supervisors or maintenance personnel and assist in preventive maintenance activities and changeovers.

Responsibilities

• Operate, monitor, and adjust processing equipment (e.g., pasteurizers, homogenizers, fillers, packaging systems).
• Perform batching, ingredient handling, and product processing according to established formulations and production schedules.
• Support production runs and accurately record production data, batch logs, and equipment performance metrics.
• Assist plant leadership with compliance with state and federal laws, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles (as applicable and as directed).
• Participate in product quality checks, including sampling, temperature verification, and visual inspections.
• Assist with and occasionally lead production of food and dairy products.
• Clean and sanitize equipment including tanks, vats, pipes, machines and trucks utilizing both clean-in-place and manual methods.
• Perform quality control tests on dairy and food products received and produced.
• Perform general housekeeping of the Dairy Plant and FPIC.
• Drive MSU owned vehicle as needed to move products or ingredients.

Minimum Requirements

• Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired from specialized training such as that acquired in one year of college, technical, vocational or trade school with coursework in dairy technology.
• Six months to one year of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in a food manufacturing environment.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.
• This position requires or will require prior to the completion of the probationary period: knowledge of basic personal computer terminology and operations, and the ability to use e-mail and the Internet.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in dairy processing and food manufacturing.
• Basic knowledge of sanitation, food safety, or GMPs.
• Ability to work in wet, humid, and cold environments (including coolers/freezers and washdown areas).
• Familiarity with CIP (Clean-in-Place) systems.
• Familiarity with HACCP or preventive controls.
• Mechanical aptitude and experience operating industrial equipment, or ability to learn.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships intra- and inter-organizationally and create and promote positive public relations for MSU Extension, the CFEI, the MSU Dairy Plant, and the FPIC.
• Ability to travel in local communities is required as a regular part of this position.
• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity, knowledge, and use of appropriate approaches, skills, and techniques, which reflect an understanding and awareness of social, cultural, and varied economic backgrounds and perspectives of the target population served.
• Proven ability in establishing and working with a network of constituents and community members across race, color, gender, national origin, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, veteran status, socioeconomic class, and other differences.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Experience and proven ability working productively with a team serving in both leadership and contributor roles.
• Self-motivated with demonstrated ability to work independently.
• Serve as an information resource to clientele, partners, and MSU/MSU Extension staff.
• Transportation is the responsibility of the employee.