Vacation Relief Operator (Nights)

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 is responsible for ensuring that the steps for producing a product that meets TCCA's high standard of quality are taken and notifying 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 produces at this facility. This position requires knowledge of all areas in the plant: Utility, Operator (including Milk Receiving), Starter, Post Process and Cheese Vats.

What You Will Do

• Monitor and record the system and supplier lot numbers, amounts and addition times for all ingredients. This includes 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. This will include 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
• Start and operate the milk HTST and to 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 - Controlling operations of equipment or systems. Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Pasteurize raw whey cream and sweet cream
• Operate the Separator and Clarifier as needed
• 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.
• Willing to cover other areas but not limited to Towers, Milk Receiving, Boxer and Cold Store
• Must be flexible to support different shifts and teams for vacation coverage
• Cover meal times and breaks for all areas
• Other duties as assigned by your Team Lead, Supervisor, and/or Management.

Qualifications

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