Operator Iii - Vat Operator - Nights

AMPI owns eight Midwest-based manufacturing plants where 10 percent of the nation's American-type cheese, processed cheese and butter is produced. The cooperative's award-winning cheese, butter and powdered daily products are marketed to foodservices, retail and food ingredient customers. In 2019, the co-op launched its Dinner Bell Creamery brand and accompanying Co-op Crafted promise, highlighting more than 50 years of dairy farm families partnering with skilled buttermakers and cheesemakers.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
This list of duties and responsibilities is not all inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as management may deem necessary from time to time.

• All AMPI employees have an obligation to report employee safety, food safety and food quality issues to personnel of authority.

• This position has a heightened food safety and food quality responsibilities.

• Operator will be able to start up, shut down, Clean in Place (CIP), and troubleshoot the vats when appropriate.
• Operation and monitoring of all related equipment.
• Maintain all related records and documentation per policy and in accordance with state Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship.
• Checking pH and TA's of whey and curd in vats. Takes temperature and moisture on product to control the process along with milk protein to fat ratios.
• Control vat deck screen/making adjustments if needed.
• Recording time, temperatures and lot numbers on to make sheets.
• Reviewing cheese analytics and making adjustments if needed.
• Clean and sanitize vats, adhering to all sanitation procedures and policies.
• Responsible for maintaining internal customer specifications.
• Responsible for making necessary cheese make operation and process decisions relevant to good vat operation to ensure the best possible yield and quality potential.
• Informs supervisor of any production issues.
• Housekeeping of the work area.
• Learn and operate other equipment as necessary.
• Responsible to ensure production of the vat starts and stops on time.
• This position must follow all GMP, Safety, and plant policies and procedures.
• Adhere to all Quality and Food Safety policies and procedures, reporting any nonconformity.
• Other duties as assigned.

An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. The above list reflects the general details necessary to describe the principle and essential functions of the position and shall not be construed as the only duties that may be assigned for the position.
EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE:

• High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED) is preferred.
• Food manufacturing, material handling experience is preferred.
• Prior experience in the dairy or cheese industry is preferred.
• Prior experience in manufacturing is a plus.
• Knowledge of HACCP, GMP's, OSHA and loss control programs is highly desirable.
• Cheesemaking experience preferred.

BENEFITS/REWARDS:
AMPI offers competitive starting pay, PTO, 401k, short-term disability, health, dental, vision, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance programs and more.
Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI) is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
Military and veterans are encouraged to apply.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)