RELIEF OPERATOR

JOB SUMMARY:

The Relief Operator is responsible for operating the assigned operating equipment during production and sanitation processes, ensuring both product integrity and quality. This position will work as a team member with all levels of the organization to maintain programs and standards that increase the efficiency of product usage; support the reduction of damaged product and loss of production time, ensuring compliance with all company rules and regulations.

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. Operates production and packaging equipment efficiently and safely.
4. Ensures product quality.
5. Monitors procedures and working conditions that could result in product contamination or lost time.
6. Verifies quality control items such as chemical levels, fluid levels, temperatures, and packaging.
7. Maintains accurate documentation in all formats of recordkeeping.
8. Assists with general cleaning and housekeeping throughout the plant as needed.
9. Adheres to all aspects of company and customer safety, sanitation, and site policies.
10. Assists with training new employees.
11. Aids the maintenance personnel, when needed, for machine repairs or troubleshooting.
12. Provides absentee coverage for RO Operators, Dryer Operators, General Labor, Milk Receiving, and the Plant Superintendent when needed.
13. Adheres to all Quality and Food Safety policies and procedures, reporting any nonconformity.
14. Adheres to all Safety policies and procedures, reporting any nonconformity.
15. Adheres to all GMP policies and procedures, reporting any nonconformity.
16. All 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:

• Basic computer skills
• Must be able to lift 55 or more pounds
• Must be able to stand for long period of time
• Perform repetitive tasks for long periods of time
• Ability to establish daily priorities and work independently

• Knowledge of procedural controls and data validation techniques required.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the products manufactured and the processes involved.
• Ability to understand daily production needs.
• Exceptional attention to detail, strong organizational and time management skills.
• Effective communication skills
• Maintain a high level of professionalism when interfacing with employees and staff on all levels of the organization
• Must have a thorough understanding of our HACCP program (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points), GMP’s (Good Manufacturing Practices), and complete mandatory refresher training for both programs every year

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

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

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 frequently (more than 75% of time) required to: use hands to finger, handle, or touch objects, tools, or controls, sit; to verbally communicate; and to hear. The employee is frequently (up to 90% of the time) required to walk and stand. The employee must frequently (up to 50% of the time) lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and be able to lift and/or move 75 pounds occasionally. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.  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 occasionally exposed to warm conditions with regular exposure to temperature conditions in excess of 100*F or cold temperatures when working in cold 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 not routinely exposed to weather conditions. 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.

Associated Milk Producers Inc. 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.