ABOUT AMPI:

AMPI owns seven Midwest-based manufacturing plants where 10 percent of the nation's American-type cheese, processed cheese and butter is produced. The cooperative's award-winning cheese, butter and powdered dairy products are marketed to foodservice, retail and food ingredient customers. In 2019, the co-op launched its Dinner Bell Creamery brand and accompanying Co-op Crafted promise, highlighting more than 50 years of dairy farm families partnering with skilled buttermakers and cheesemakers.

JOB SUMMARY:

The primary role of a Dryer Operator is to oversee the production of the NFDM and the operation of the drying equipment including performing the daily shut down, sanitation and startup of the drying plant equipment while maintaining high standards of personal and product safety. They must also perform master sanitation and preventative maintenance tasks per company policy.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as management may deem necessary from time to time.

1. All AMPI employees have an obligation to report employee safety, food safety and food quality issues to personnel of authority.
2. This position has a heightened food safety and food quality responsibilities.
3. Daily operation of the drying plant equipment including Dryer, HTST, Evaporator, Hot wells
4. Maintain proper documentation in all formats of recordkeeping including HTST cut in and out process
5. Perform required product sampling and testing
6. Perform moisture and sediment testing as required
7. Perform daily shut down procedures
8. Perform daily CIP and COP sanitation duties on a variety of equipment in the processing plant
9. Perform chemical testing to ensure correct concentration
10. Perform preventative maintenance and master sanitation tasks.
11. Perform yearly task such as dryer sock replacement
12. Stay until you have a proper handoff to the next shift
13. Operate the company forklift to move finished product
14. Constantly look for continuous improvement and process improvement and communicate.
15. Maintain good housekeeping and cleanup of equipment and supplies in your work areas.
16. Maintain proper documentation in all formats of recordkeeping
17. Adhere to all aspects of company and customer safety, sanitation, and site policies.
18. Assists with training new employees
19. Provides assistance to the maintenance personnel, when needed, for machine repairs or troubleshooting
20. Adhere to all Quality and Food Safety policies and procedures, reporting any nonconformity
21. Adhere to all Safety policies and procedures, reporting any nonconformity
22. Adhere to all GMP policies and procedures, reporting any nonconformity
23. Other duties as assigned.

An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. The above list reflects the general details necessary to describe the principle and essential functions of the position and shall not be construed as the only duties that may be assigned for the position.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES:

The following are required competencies of the position that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job:

• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills
• Ability to adapt effectively within a continually changing and demanding environment
• Demonstrate an understanding of the products manufactured and the processes involved
• Basic understanding of equipment operations and minor troubleshooting ability
• Must be able to demonstrate an ability and willingness to communicate effectively in order to maintain high levels of Safety, Quality and Efficiency
• Ability to read and comprehend standard operating procedures and company guidelines in order to maintain regulatory compliance
• Ability to understand daily production needs
• Participation in a team environment safely
• Detail oriented, be quality minded
• Able to perform at a high level in a fast-paced environment

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE:

• High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED) is preferred
• Food manufacturing, material handling and forklift operation experience preferred
• Must be able to maintain a valid forklift operator license
• Prior experience in the dairy industry is preferred
• Prior experience in manufacturing is a plus
• Knowledge of HACCP, GMP's, OSHA and loss control programs is highly desirable

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & MENTAL DEMANDS:

The physical and mental demands 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

Manufacturing - Work is performed in a manufacturing plant. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee will frequently have to walk and stand. The employee should have the ability to regularly lift up to 55lbs. The employee must be able to push and pull up to 75lbs. Must be able to climb ladders and work at elevations above 4 feet. Employees are regularly exposed to cold temperatures when performing tasks in storage areas. Employees are regularly exposed to warm or hot temperatures with moderate to high humidity levels varying based on the location of the work area. The employee is regularly exposed to wet walking surfaces. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORKING 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.

Manufacturing - Employee is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock, wet work conditions, fumes, or airborne particles. Employee is exposed to warm or cold temperatures when working in inside storage areas. The employee is regularly exposed to work near moving mechanical parts. Employee is regularly exposed to chemicals during sanitation processes. The noise level in the work environment is occasionally at a high level. The employee is routinely exposed to weather conditions for short periods of time. The employee may be exposed to very low levels of ammonia.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - Personal protective equipment is required depending on the job being performed, including protective eye wear, or face shields, hearing protection, hair and beard nets, uniforms, and footwear. Additional equipment is required when working with chemicals, such as rubber gloves and use of chemical proof aprons as appropriate for the job being performed.

BENEFITS/REWARDS:

AMPI offers competitive starting pay, PTO, 401k, short-term disability, health, dental, vision, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance programs and more.

Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI) is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.