VACATION RELIEF OPERATOR - Intake & Blending

Summary: Lifeway Foods (NASDAQ: LWAY), recognized as one of Forbes’ Best Small Companies, is America’s leading supplier of the probiotic beverage Kefir. In addition to drinkable Kefir, the company produces cheese, drinkable yogurt, and a ProBugs line of Kefir for kids. Lifeway’s fermented dairy products are sold across the United States, Mexico, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.

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 Lifeway Wisconsin Critical Control Point (Pasteurization).
• Monitor quality points such as culturing temperature, fat, and other related items associated with dairy processing.
• Ensure paperwork is completed clearly, legibly, and accurately with required information.
• Run and maintain blender and other related equipment within dairy production.
• Blend dry and wet ingredients for Kefir production.
• Inspect all vehicles used for food transport prior to unloading and/or loading to ensure they are clean, in good repair, suitable for the purpose, and free from odors or other conditions that could negatively impact the product.
• Follow facility procedures for receiving materials to ensure they meet the company’s food‑safety and quality standards.
• Document, implement, and design unloading, loading, and transport of food to maintain appropriate storage conditions and product integrity.
• Pump incoming milk from tank trucks to storage tanks and record volume received.
• Perform antibiotic tests and other tests deemed necessary for the function of the job.
• Pass state‑mandated tests for receiving 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.
• Report unsafe conditions and food‑safety violations to the manager.
• Handle and maintain the preventative‑maintenance schedule for the department area.
• Operate equipment at recommended speeds and temperatures; communicate mechanical and operational defects.
• Operate and clean equipment with urgency to minimize downtime.
• Utilize a continuous‑improvement mindset and assist in identifying opportunities to improve processes.
• Perform duties according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and Sanitization SOP (SSOP) that meet quality and safety standards for HACCP, FDA, EPA, OSHA, USDA, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture (WDA), and customer requirements.
• Conduct behavior in compliance with Lifeway Employee Policy.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; or three to six months related experience; or equivalent.
• Demonstrated 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 managers, clients, customers, and the 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 lb.
• Ability to stand for the entirety of an 8‑hour shift.
• Ability to climb ladders and maneuver through equipment.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities.

Schedule

Available shifts: 11 AM – 7 PM, Monday‑Saturday (rotating day off).