Tower Operator (Cheese, Days)

At Hilmar Cheese Company we improve lives around the world through wholesome dairy products. Since our founding in 1984, Hilmar Cheese Company has been committed to innovation and sustainability. Our state-of-the-art production facilities convert an abundance of locally sourced high-quality milk into a variety of nutritious cheeses, whey protein, and lactose. The Cheese and Ingredients we produce create a wide variety of retail and food service products—from sliced and shredded cheeses to protein supplements and infant formula. We are a trusted partner to premier food and beverage brands in more than fifty countries.

About the role

A typical day for the Tower Operator involves running and maintaining cheese towers and related equipment.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the correct operation and follow all procedures for assigned equipment.
• Identify flows from HCV’s to packaging, including completing product transitions.
• Troubleshoot and communicate any plant issues with related equipment and/or processes.
• Understand and maintain the operation and sanitation of all assigned equipment, including:
  • CIP (Clean In Place) system
  • COP (Clean Out of Place) systems
  • Operator Based Maintenance
  • Pre- and post-CIP inspections
• Perform all in-process sampling as assigned.
• Notify and communicate with management or maintenance about any problems with equipment or processes that could affect safety, food safety, or quality.
• Learn and operate computer-related processes and controls.
• Responsible for proper product safe handling and reforming procedures.
• Actively participate in and take ownership of your training and development program, including associated activities, classes, and events held before, during, after shifts, and on scheduled days off.
• Help coach and train teammates and participate in on-the-job and buddy training.
• Place a high priority on food safety and sanitation by understanding and executing HCC’s food safety and sanitation policies and procedures. This includes communicating any food safety incidents, observations, or opportunities to your leadership team or teammates and participating in root cause analysis and improvement activities when required.
• Prioritize safety above all other job duties by always maintaining a safety-first approach, including reporting any safety issues, observations, or opportunities to your team and following up.

Requirements

• Proficient English skills to understand, read, write, and speak.
• Basic computer skills.
• Ability to work 12-hour variable shifts, including weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed.
• Ability to lift up to 60 lbs.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED from an accredited institution (preferred).
• SAP experience (preferred).
• Dairy manufacturing experience (preferred).

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and talk or hear.
• Stand and walk almost the entire workday.
• Physically capable of working in any of the job tasks within the respective area, including working at heights and in small spaces.
• Pushing, pulling, reaching, bending, stooping, squatting, kneeling, handling, grasping, twisting/turning, and repetitive bending.

Food safety is a companywide responsibility, and each employee must know their role in the manufacture and distribution of safe, wholesome, and high-quality products.

Pay

Salary Range: USD 22.91 – 27.07 per hour.