Whey Systems Operator - 2nd Shift Antigo

SUMMARY 

The Whey Systems Operator is responsible for the start-up, shutdown, and sanitation of all whey plant processes, including: whey separator, producing concentrated whey using a reverse osmosis system, operation of heat treatment system, and operation of a polisher system according to established company procedures.  This 2nd shift position works a 2-2-3 rotational schedule.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following.  Other duties may be assigned. 

• Operates whey separator to produce whey cream from raw whey produced in cheese making. 
• Operates reverse osmosis/polisher system to produce high quality concentrated whey by controlling whey flow rate, pressures, and temperatures, etc. Directs all products to proper storage silos. Tests finished product throughout operations.  
• Monitor product levels, flows and temperatures in raw whey tanks, whey sweet cream tanks, whey tanks, cow water tanks, product balance tanks, and reverse osmosis system.  Records all information on production log sheets. 
• Loads concentrated whey into tanker trucks.  
• Responsible for sanitation of all whey plant equipment and documentation. 
• Tests outgoing loads and completes necessary documentation.  
•  Monitor levels in the high strength tank and load out waste.  
• Ensures USDA compliance with Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC) procedures. 
• Keeps track of whey plant cleaning chemicals, keeps supply barrels full, assists and directs unloading and storage of all chemicals received during shift.   
• Complies with all company safety, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP), and good manufacturing practices (GMPs). 
• Routinely required to perform intake duties to include testing for antibiotics, unloading of milk tankers, and intake sanitation, as well as all required documentation and paperwork. 
• Washes RO system, whey heat treat and polishes water system, whey tank, and reserve silo. 
• Immediately reports any food safety or quality issues to management or other individuals authorized to initiate action. 
• Required to train new Team Members on duties and responsibilities in whey plant.  

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES 

• May be required to perform duties normally done by the 2nd shift operator and the Intake/Whey Plant operators.  
• Assists in the teardown of whey separator, reverse osmosis unit, and heat exchangers as needed.  
• Notifies the Cheese Manufacturing Manager or Maintenance Department of equipment problems.  
• Participates in USDA inspections. 

QUALIFICATIONS  

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE 

• High school diploma or equivalent is required (GED). 
• 2-3 years of experience in food manufacturing is desirable. 

OTHER KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES 

• Knowledge of operator interfaces to operate automated equipment. 
• Good computer and mechanical skills.  
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.   
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.   
• Ability to speak effectively with managers, truck drivers, and other Team Members.  
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.  
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.   
• Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.  

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS 

May need to be certified to run milk antibiotic tests for incoming milk. 

Bulk Milk Weigher / Sampler License desirable. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a Team Member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.   

While performing the duties of this job, the Team Member is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The Team Member frequently is required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance on milk trucks, catwalk, building roof and cooling towers, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The Team Member is occasionally required to sit and talk or hear. The Team Member must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and maneuver barrels of chemicals weighing up to 550 lb. using a two-wheeled barrel dolly.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.   

WORK ENVIRONMENT  

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a Team Member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the Team Member is often exposed to extreme, non-weather-related heat, wet and/or humid conditions as well as occasional exposure to outside weather. The Team Member is often exposed to hazards such as moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places such as trucks, catwalk, building room and cooling tower; toxic and/or caustic and acid cleaning chemicals. The Team Member is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles and minimal risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually very loud and requires hearing protection to be always worn in the production environment.  

Occasional overtime may be required. 

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED  

While performing the duties of this job, the Team Member may be required to work with separator hand tools, hammer, wrenches, jacks, refractometer, pH meter and other testing equipment, water hoses.  

PPE’s REQUIRED 

Personal protective equipment that is required when working with hazardous materials or loud equipment includes: safety goggles, rubber or latex gloves, lab coat, and hearing protection.  Other recommended PPE includes face shield, chemical resistant apron and steel toe shoes.  See Chemical Hygiene Plan for details. 

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