Brine Production *** $2,000 Sign On & Retention Bonus

ABOUT AMPI:

AMPI owns eight 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 Brine Production is to safely follow all state, production and quality standards. This position is responsible for the removal of cheese wheels, fine blocks and barrels. This position includes monitoring charts and maintaining records, as well as helping in all other duties that pertain the production or packaging of cheese.

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. Responsible for removing cheese from form rings and placing cheese in brine.
2. Maintain brine system to include SAH monitoring and sanitation of the tanks and room.
3. Safely operate forklifts, following all policies and procedures.
4. Required to remove prior day’s cheese make from the cooler and remove cheese from molds while stacking neatly.
5. Accurately record the weight and wheel count onto the daily record.
6. Weigh barrel cheese, place on pallets and stamp the barrels before placing barrels into the cooler.
7. Notify the Division Manager of any damage and repair all damage before putting the product away.
8. Move cheese wheels to the brine room. Place in appropriate vat as recorded on the daily log.  Record brine temperature and salt levels of each vat.
9. Assist with the sampling of cheese if needed.
10. Check products to verify the correct information is associated with each brine vat. Notify the Division Manager or QA Manager if any problems occur.
11. Required to remove appropriate cheese from brine vat to dry racks.
12. Operate the floor scrubbers and use as needed.
13. Assist with training new employees.
14. Maintain all related records and documentation per policy.
15. Document and communicate production deficiencies to management.
16. Continuously look for process improvement opportunities and effectively communicate to others.
17. Maintain good housekeeping and cleanup of equipment and supplies in your work areas throughout the plant.
18. Provides assistance to the maintenance personnel, when needed, for machine repairs or troubleshooting.
19. Adhere to all Quality and Food Safety policies and procedures, reporting any nonconformity.
20. Adhere to all Safety policies and procedures, reporting any nonconformity.
21. Adhere to all GMP policies and procedures, reporting any nonconformity.
22. 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 requirements and 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.
• Possess traits of honesty, integrity, creativity and flexibility.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED) is preferred.
• Food manufacturing, material handling experience is preferred.
• Prior experience in the dairy or cheese industry is preferred.
• Prior experience in manufacturing is a plus.
• Knowledge of HACCP, GMP's, OSHA and loss control programs is highly desirable.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:

Physical and 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.

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

$500 immediate sign-on bonus for production positions, additional $1,500 within first 6 months. AMPI also offers $500 bonuses for attendance and referrals.

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.

Military and veterans are encouraged to apply.