DAIRY PROCESS OPERATOR

Lifeway Foods Inc•Morton Grove, IL

13d•Onsite

About The Position

Lifeway Foods (NASDAQ: LWAY), which has been recognized as one of Forbes’ Best Small Companies, is America’s leading supplier of the probiotic beverage known as Kefir. In addition to its line of drinkable Kefir, the company also produces cheese, drinkable yogurt, and a ProBugs line of Kefir for kids. Lifeway’s tart and tangy fermented dairy products are sold across the United States, Mexico, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. Summary The Dairy Process Operator is primarily responsible for ensuring all products are produced to the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) and SQF standards and following Lifeway Wisconsin policies and procedures and maintaining pasteurizer and other related equipment within dairy production environment and by performing the following duties.

Requirements

High school diploma required; Or three to six months related experience; Or equivalent
Must have past experience in food manufacturing facility
Demonstrate intellectual and interpersonal skills through leadership, organization, and self-efficacy
Ability to read and write comprehensive reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals and effectively present them to groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public
Basic mathematical skills and understanding of algebra and geometry
Knowledge of Manufacturing Software, Inventory Software, and Microsoft Office including Excel and Outlook
Must be able to lift 50 lbs.; Ability to be on your feet for entirety of 8-hour shift; Ability to climb ladders and maneuver through equipment; Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities

Responsibilities

Follow Good Manufacturing Procedures (GMP’s) for pasteurization of milk and that it meets company’s standard for Safe Quality Food (SQF)
Monitors the dairy production process and follows the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for batching and processing products
Conducts pre-operational sanitation inspections to ensure food processing areas, product contact surfaces and equipment are clean before processing begins
Monitor Lifeway Wisconsin Critical Control Point (Pasteurization)
Monitors quality points such as culturing temperature, fat and other related items as they associate with processing dairy products
Ensure paperwork is filled in a clear, legible, and accurate format and completed with the required information.
Responsible for reporting unsafe conditions and food safety violations to manager
Troubleshoots and resolves basic to moderate operating difficulties
Handles and maintains preventative maintenance schedule for department area
Operates equipment at recommended speeds and temperatures and communicates mechanical and operational defects as they arise
Operates and cleans equipment with a sense of urgency to minimize downtime
Utilizes continuous improvement mindset, assist in identifying opportunities to improve processes
Perform duties according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and Sanitization Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP) that meet quality and safety standards pertaining to: Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points (HACCP), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Wisconsin Department of Agriculture (WDA), and customer requirements
Conduct behavior in compliance with Lifeway Employee Policy
Perform additional duties as assigned