Land O’Lakes

Production Operator

Pay Rate: $26.93 per hour plus Shift Differential: $1.50 per hour

Shift & Working Hours: 4:45 PM to 5:15 AM; 2-2-3 rotating 12 hour shifts; Weekends/Overtime/Holidays as needed.

Role Focus:

This role is responsible for running and taking care of machines that process milk that include pasteurizers and filtration systems, starting them up, shutting them down, cleaning them, and making sure they’re working properly.

Logging data, doing tests, and making sure everything stays within quality and safety standards. There’s some light maintenance involved, sanitation, following safety rules, and making sure communication between shifts and teams is smooth. You will also take part in improvement programs and safety checks to help things run better over time.

In this role, you will be a key member of our Land O’Lakes, Inc. manufacturing team, performing front-line production processes that add value and quality to the inputs and creation of final high-quality products. You will gain skills and experience of taking raw materials to produce our final products for customers. This will include operating machinery and equipment, packaging the final product. Join our team to become part of a member-owned co-op that is Rooted In Tomorrow.

This role is part of our Dairy Food business who creates dairy products that stand for real, simple goodness. We believe there’s power in every drop of milk our farmers produce, and by improving production and finding innovative uses for that milk, we add a little good to people’s lives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Initiate startup, shutdown, CIP, and operate UF system, milk pasteurizer, concentrate plate, and cream pasteurizer.
• Perform readings, maintain logs, and conduct necessary testing.
• Monitor milk pasteurizer, concentrate plate, and standardization process.
• Manage and sanitize fermenters and fermenter room.
• Assist with Master Sanitation Schedule items and other cleanings as needed.
• Perform light equipment/building maintenance.
• Provide break relief for other associates (e.g., Turba, Pan, AM Barrels).
• Communicate effectively for management/associate liaison, procedures, and GMP’s.
• Ensure communication between process technicians and shifts.
• Complete Catalyst transactions as necessary.
• Participate fully in Safety, LQMS, BRC, LPS, and LMS programs.
• Follow sanitation and quality SOP’s to ensure clean equipment for production.
• Contribute to continuous improvement and LEAN Manufacturing initiatives.
• Participate in the 5S program for a safe and organized environment.
• Ensure accurate and timely completion of department paperwork.
• Adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), HACCP guidelines, and LQMS requirements.
• Complete a minimum of one behavioral observation (BOS) per month for safety culture.
• Demonstrate knowledge of machine operations and production processes.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Shift Lead or Production Manager.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Must be 18 years or older
• 1 year or more of work experience in any industry
• Basic computer and math skills
• Able to read, write, comprehend, follow verbal and written instructions in English
• Willingness to learn new skills, problem-solve and troubleshoot
• Strong collaboration, communication skills, and is always respectful

Preferred Experience:

• 1+ year of manufacturing work experience
• Prior high-speed, high-tech manufacturing experience

Physical Requirements for production positions regularly include:

• Able to lift/carry up to 50 pounds
• Frequent movement including walking, standing, bending/stooping, turning, twisting, pushing, pulling, raising arms, lifting, climbing and other active movements
• Performing duties while wearing personal protective equipment
• Working in temperature zones that include cold and/or hot environments for extended periods and may include areas where dust and chemicals are present
• Required to work scheduled shift which may include weekends, some holidays, and periodic overtime

About Land O'Lakes, Inc.

Join us and be part of a Fortune 250, farmer- and member-owned cooperative that is reimagining the business of food. We have been named a Top Workplace by Indeed and LinkedIn, and to the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list.

Benefits for most full-time roles include medical, dental, vision, PTO, life & disability insurance, education assistance, a 401k and a variety of well-being resources. Most part-time employees are eligible for prorated PTO, holiday pay, employee development programs, prorated education assistance, and a 401(k).

Land O'Lakes, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) M/F/Vets/Disabled. The company maintains a drug-free workforce, including post-employment substance abuse testing pursuant to a Drug and Alcohol Policy.

Neither Land O’Lakes, nor its search firms, will ever contact you and ask for confidential information over the phone or in email. If you receive a call or email like this, please do not provide the information being requested.