Vacation Relief Operator (Nights)

Come join the Tillamook Team where our philosophy is “Do Right By Every Bite.” As an independent farmer-owned cooperative, we have been guided by good, honest values since 1909. We believe in putting quality over profit, natural over artificial, and that hard work can never be outsmarted. We’re taking a stand for real food, because everyone deserves better.

About the role

This position requires one to take initiative, be dependable, adaptable, maintain a positive attitude and integrity, and work well with others. The Vacation Relief Operator is responsible for the production and testing of the different stages in the cheese-making process. This position ensures that the steps for producing a product that meets TCCA’s high standard of quality are taken and notifies the Team Lead and Supervisor when issues arise that would jeopardize that quality. They will record all necessary information used to track the manufacturing of product produced at this facility. This position requires knowledge of all areas in the plant: Utility, Operator (including Milk Receiving), Starter, Post Process and Cheese Vats.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and record the system and supplier lot numbers, amounts, and addition times for all ingredients, including milk, color, starter, rennet, salt, and jalapenos/habaneros. The vat operator will also be responsible for recording the system lot number for the bags.
• Monitor and record the cheese-making steps according to the recipe for the product being produced that day, including the temperature of the milk during filling, the firmness of the set, and the temperature of the cook.
• Monitor and record acid production by the starter bacteria. Be able to explain each step in the cheese-making process and what is occurring chemically and physically to the product at that step.
• Communicate with Post Process Operators, Team Leads, and Shift Supervisor.
• Post Process: Start and operate the milk HTST and provide pasteurized or heat-shocked milk to the vat operator as per the production schedule.
• Perform component testing of milk silos per procedure posted in the lab by the FT1 analyzer, communicate to vat operator, and post in log book.
• Standardize the cheese milk with sweet cream per standardization document.
• Process whey received from the vats per raw whey processing document.
• Operation Monitoring & Control: Control operations of equipment or systems. Watch gauges, dials, or other indicators to ensure a machine is working properly.
• Pasteurize raw whey cream and sweet cream.
• Operate the Separator and Clarifier as needed.
• Starter Maker: Sample and test finished starter for activity. Sample starter tanks and submit for in-house microbial testing, phage, and cell count testing.
• Produce starter and clean starter vats.
• Manage the inventory of the starter cultures and media to ensure proper rotation and notify the supervisor when levels approach normal reorder points.
• Communicate with shift supervisor or plant management of any unusual occurrences that may arise.
• Cover other areas as needed, including Towers, Milk Receiving, Boxer, and Cold Store.
• Be flexible to support different shifts and teams for vacation coverage.
• Cover meal times and breaks for all areas.
• Perform other duties as assigned by your Team Lead, Supervisor, and/or Management.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 1-3 years of food manufacturing experience. Cheese make experience preferred.
• Must be able to pass physical requirements including a pre-work physical.

This position is located on-site at our Boardman, Oregon facility.

About the role

The Process Engineer owns the interface between fluid processing equipment, product, and utility systems, and leads the design and implementation of solutions to improve quality, reduce cost, and support customer demands for new products. The Process Engineer works closely with the Whey Production Manager and Process Technologist to support the New Product Development group, and with the plant maintenance and engineering team to enhance profitability and growth by reducing operating costs and downtime.

Responsibilities

• Own the engineering of the cheese and powder production processes from milk receiving to cheese block formers, through WPC-80 and lactose manufacturing finished packaging.
• Collaborate with the Sales & Marketing teams to lead feasibility studies for new products.
• Evaluate, research, and develop new/alternate materials, process methods, equipment, and technologies.
• Provide technical support when growth, modernization, and expansion occurs in cheese and whey production and processing capacity to meet market demands with state-of-the-art systems.
• Develop and implement processes, procedures, and methodology to improve efficiencies and quality of dairy products produced.
• Collaborate with Production, R&D, Quality, and Finance to define expected operational success criteria and operational costs for proposed projects.
• Specify pumps, valves, and instrumentation in collaboration with the engineering automation team.
• Prepare RFPs including clear statement of work, project success criteria, process flow diagram, equipment specifications, FAT expectations, and T&Cs adequate to support accurate vendor proposals.
• Verify performance of new equipment and process installations.
• Lead resolution of vendor technical performance issues with new equipment or processes.
• Provide design and operational oversight for utility systems and critical production and utility equipment.
• Provide technical support for maintenance when requested.
• Develop and track performance and maintenance of large rotating equipment such as centrifuges, fans, and compressors.
• Initiate, plan, and lead capital and non-capital maintenance and equipment projects to ensure timely and cost-effective achievement of project objectives.
• Manage small to mid-sized capital improvement projects. Large project team member/SME (subject matter expert).
• Ensure project regulatory compliance (ODA, USDA, FDA, SQF, PSM/RMP).
• Mandate adherence to all safety guidelines and work to provide a safe work environment for all employees.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with employees, supervisors, and the general public.
• Communicate difficult concepts and negotiate with others to achieve the optimal solution.
• Act as a team player and interact with staff at all levels of the company.
• Work under pressure, meet deadlines, and be flexible in working on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrate excellent time-management skills with the ability to work independently with little supervision.
• Demonstrate knowledge of P&ID development and engineering specifications development.
• Experience with piping layouts, tank/storage handling, and fluid diversion, mixing of fluid medias specific to cheese/dairy or CIP processes, as well as pumps and valves.
• Solve moderately complex problems; take a new perspective on existing solutions; exercise judgment based on the analysis of multiple sources of information.
• Demonstrate design capabilities in specification, verification, and calculation of fluid and thermal-based processes.
• Utilize a computer with intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and SharePoint.

Qualifications

• Professional Engineer license preferred.
• Bachelor’s or higher degree in engineering, chemical, mechanical, or technical discipline or equivalent relevant work experience.
• 5+ years of food or beverage manufacturing processes experience.
• Experience with mass balance process flows and calculations, heat exchange (conceptual, theoretical, & applicable), and food or dairy packaging.
• Experience working with multi-trade-based vendors/contractors.
• Familiarity with USDA Dairy and 3A Sanitary Design Standards.

Benefits

We offer outstanding benefits to our employees. For more information, please visit the careers page.