Production Operator I Proliant Dairy Ingredients Melrose Night Shift 10-hour Shift

$51,272 - $51,272/Yr

Lauridsen Group - Melrose, MN

Full-time - Entry Level

Melrose, MN

11-50 employees

Food Manufacturing

About the position

Proliant Dairy Ingredients is dedicated to providing high-quality dairy ingredient options that enhance the value and effectiveness of our partners' products. The Production Operator I position plays a crucial role in assisting various areas within the plant while ensuring efficient production processes in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and meeting customer specifications. This position is essential for maintaining the quality and safety of our products, and it involves a variety of tasks across different production areas, including packing, receiving, raw inventory management, and operating production equipment. The operator will work on a night shift, typically from 3 PM to 1 AM or 4 PM to 2 AM, and will be compensated at a starting pay of $24.65 per hour, which includes a base hourly rate and shift differential. Employees will also enjoy benefits such as three weeks of paid time off (PTO), paid holidays, and eligibility for medical, dental, and vision insurance starting the first of the month following their hire date. Additionally, the company offers a 401(k) plan with employer matching to support employees' retirement savings.

Responsibilities

• Operate packaging and palletizing equipment, making necessary adjustments as needed.
• Bag and blend finished powder, weigh, sample, seal, and palletize product, moving pallets using a forklift or pallet jack.
• Label and use a computerized inventory tracking system for finished products according to customer and company specifications.
• Perform quality checks on raw inventory for each load, whether trucked or piped in, and document findings appropriately.
• Unload raw inventory from trucks and complete necessary paperwork for inventory documentation.
• Load product tanks and silos, providing support for basic analytical testing on finished products.
• Operate evaporator, Triple C, fluid bed, and other production equipment as required, monitoring intake and exhaust temperatures.
• Monitor and sample powdered product, check operation of spray nozzles, and sweep down dryers as needed.
• Assist maintenance with projects and repairs, including motors and pumps, to maintain equipment.
• Store and track products, materials, and chemicals in the warehouse according to FIFO inventory systems.
• Maintain a clean and safe work area, ensuring proper care and storage of tools and equipment.
• Perform Clean-In-Place (CIP) operations on all equipment and work with sanitation vendors for proper cleaning.
• Ensure food safety and quality practices are maintained to support ongoing improvements in food safety programs.
• Communicate safety risks or concerns immediately and comply with all regulatory, food safety, occupational safety, and quality programs.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• 1 year of stable work experience in agriculture, production, or manufacturing preferred.
• Ability to prepare and operate all machinery in the plant.
• General knowledge of production and manufacturing methods.
• Knowledge of dryer operation and evaporation processes.
• Ability to read gauges and record data legibly according to established procedures.
• Ability to learn handling of food-grade materials according to sanitary procedures.
• Ability to understand and follow established work procedures, including safety guidelines.
• Ability to read, write, and comprehend instructions.
• Ability to operate and maintain proper certification for forklift/pallet jack.
• Ability to work varying schedules, including overtime when necessary.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Basic math skills and the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to troubleshoot malfunctions and notify appropriate staff of problems.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in a food processing environment.
• Familiarity with HACCP, GMPs, SSOPs, and SQF documentation procedures.

Benefits

• $24.65 per hour starting pay (base hourly rate + shift differential)
• 3 weeks PTO, prorated based on hire date
• Paid holidays
• Medical, dental, vision eligibility on the first of the month following hire date
• 401(k) with employer match