Food Processing Technician — Dairy Production Technician

Working/Functional Title

Food Processing Technician

Position Summary

Michigan State University Extension is committed to fostering a welcoming and collaborative environment, which requires all staff to contribute toward a vision for success regardless of title or position within the organization. We strive to create a positive culture, access to resources, and a sense of belonging for staff, partners, and programming participants. This means that all staff at MSU Extension are dedicated to the following:

• We work together to ensure that programming is available to all audiences, creates meaningful and positive impacts for participants, and demonstrates partnership and collaboration across communities.
• We understand that a welcoming and respectful environment is built through the efforts of everyone.
• We foster an environment that welcomes a broad range of perspectives and experiences, ensuring that all individuals have the opportunity to contribute and thrive.
• We ensure that every team member is prepared with the skills and resources to contribute to our welcoming and supportive culture.
• We foster an environment that values a range of perspectives, skills, and experiences by working to ensure access to programming for communities.
• We commit to continuous learning and engagement to better serve Michigan residents and meet the evolving needs of communities.
• We recognize that broad accessibility and collaboration are essential elements of our work and are vital to organizational and programmatic success.
• We embrace a culture of understanding, coaching, and feedback toward achieving a vision of success for the entire organization and its staff.
• Together we will achieve success, and we commit to these goals in our work, continued education, and ongoing efforts.

POSITION SUMMARY

Assist in the production of processed food products at the MSU Dairy Foods Complex and the MSU Food Processing and Innovation Center.

As part of MSU Extension (MSUE), and the Community, Food and Environment Institute, this position supports operations in the Dairy Foods Complex and the Food Processing and Innovation Center (FPIC) at Michigan State University. The Food Processing Technician will support day-to-day operations by performing production, processing, and sanitation activities associated with food manufacturing. This position operates and monitors processing equipment, ensures compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and applicable state and federal regulations, and contributes to maintaining product quality, safety, and efficiency in a food-grade production environment.

Your role requires hands-on work in a fast-paced manufacturing setting, including exposure to wet, cold, and variable-temperature environments. Through your problem-solving ability in a production environment, you will work to set up, clean, and sanitize processing and packaging equipment in compliance with sanitation standard operating procedures (SSOPs), conduct basic troubleshooting and report equipment malfunctions to supervisors or maintenance personnel and assist in preventive maintenance activities and changeovers

You will be responsible for following procedures in production and processing which includes, operate, monitor, and adjust processing equipment (e.g., pasteurizers, homogenizers, fillers, packaging systems), perform batching, ingredient handling, and product processing according to established formulations and production schedules, support production runs, and accurately record production data, batch logs, as well as, equipment performance metrics.

In addition, your strong attention to detail and commitment to compliance will ensure the quality and food safety that follows the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), sanitation standards, and food safety protocols at all times. You will assist plant leadership with compliance with state and federal laws, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles (as applicable and as directed), and the participation in product quality checks, including sampling, temperature verification, and visual inspections.

This position will work from the campus of Michigan State University in the MSU Dairy Foods Complex and the MSU Food Processing and Innovation Center located in Okemos, Michigan.

This is a full-time, limited-term position funded for one year from date of hire with possible extension contingent upon funding renewal.

Characteristic Duties/Responsibilities

• Assists with and occasionally leads production of food and dairy products.
• Cleans and sanitizes equipment including tanks, vats, pipes, machines and trucks utilizing both clean-in-place and manual methods.
• Performs quality control tests on dairy and food products received and produced.
• Performs general housekeeping of the Dairy Plant and FPIC.
• Drives MSU owned vehicle as needed to move products or ingredients.

Minimum Requirements

• Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired from specialized training such as that acquired in one year of college, technical, vocational or trade school with coursework in dairy technology.
• Six months to one year of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in a food manufacturing environment.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.  
• This position requires or will require prior to the completion of the probationary period: knowledge of basic personal computer terminology and operations, and the ability to use e-mail and the Internet. 

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in dairy processing and food manufacturing.
• Basic knowledge of sanitation, food safety, or GMPs.
• Ability to work in wet, humid, and cold environments (including coolers/freezers and washdown areas).
• Familiarity with CIP (Clean-in-Place) systems.
• Familiarity with HACCP or preventive controls.
• Mechanical aptitude and experience operating industrial equipment, or ability to learn.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships intra- and inter-organizationally and create and promote positive public relations for MSU Extension, the CFEI, the MSU Dairy Plant, and the FPIC.
• Ability to travel in local communities is required as a regular part of this position.
• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity, knowledge, and use of appropriate approaches, skills, and techniques, which reflect an understanding and awareness of social, cultural, and varied economic backgrounds and perspectives of the target population served.
• Proven ability in establishing and working with a network of constituents and community members across race, color, gender, national origin, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, veteran status, socioeconomic class, and other differences.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Experience and proven ability working productively with a team serving in both leadership and contributor roles.
• Self-motivated with demonstrated ability to work independently.
• Serve as an information resource to clientele, partners, and MSU/MSU Extension staff.
• Transportation is the responsibility of the employee.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

• Current resume/CV.
• Cover letter.
• Four (4) professional references including at least two (2) prior or current supervisors.

Special Instructions

This is a full-time, limited-term position funded for one year from date of hire with possible extension contingent upon funding renewal.

Work Hours

STANDARD 8-5

Description of End Date

This is a limited-term position funded for one year from the date of hire with possible extension contingent upon funding renewal.

Website

https://youtu.be/R58m2-um5Mg?si=Qra8RMsP

Summary of Physical Demands

Lifting of 26 to 75 pounds 26-75% of the time.

Bidding eligibility ends September 8, 2026, 11:55 PM