Job Summary:

Prairie Farms Dairy, Rockford operates as a dairy manufacturing plant and distribution center. We make dairy products that are then distributed to retail outlets, warehouses, hospitals, correctional facilities, retirement homes, food service warehouses, schools and colleges.

As a Fresh Production Operator, you will be responsible for ensuring optimum quality milk products are processed correctly. You will ensure equipment runs properly and is clean and sterile.

This is a great opportunity to establish yourself in a secure company with a 75+ year history of success. We are proud to be comprised of more than 800 farm families throughout the Midwest. Since 1938, we have been producing high quality products for you and your family.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Clean, set-up, operate and monitor equipment of the production line

• Complete all required documentation and scheduled quality checks
• Monitor weights, seals, caps, and general packaging of product
• Make adjustments to filler timing and filling, & check mat as needed
• Lift boxes of carton and manually put them in the N8 machine, this will require stooping and going up and down ladders
• May occasionally require to stand on moving belts and stand on small spaces with little foot placement
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve basic to moderate operating difficulties
• Collect required samples needed for Quality Assurance testing
• Perform filler and filler line changeovers in a safe and efficient manner
• Complete cleaning checklist
• Prepare equipment for next run to include size changes as needed
• Maintain communication with other departments, management and employees and notify them of any problems and/or concerns that may restrict the efficiency of production
• Ensure all paperwork is filled out in a clear, legible and accurate format, and completed with required information
• Ensure all required information is documented in accordance with SOP’s
• Utilizing continuous improvement mindset, assist in identifying opportunities to improve processes
• Follow Good Manufacturing Practices
• Maintain a clean, sanitary and safe work area
• Follow all required work safe practices including wearing of all required PPE in designated areas, confined space safety, safe chemical handling, fall restraints, etc.
• Report any food safety and food quality related issues to management immediately
• Other duties assigned or required

Education/Experience:

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Able to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals
• Must be willing to work flexible hours including overtime, weekends and holidays
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work in a fast paced environment

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee 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 employee may be frequently exposed moving mechanical parts and forklifts

• The employee is occasionally exposed to wet / humid / cold conditions (non-weather)
• The noise level in the work environment may be loud
• The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and sit
• The employee may occasionally be required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
• The employee may occasionally be required to stand for long periods of time

Prairie Farms, Inc. is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. This job overview is not all inclusive. In addition, reserves the right to amend this job overview at any time.