Cheese Production Worker

Click here for more information on becoming a Cheese Packager.

Innovation is the key ingredient that has fueled Bongards’ continuous growth and success since 1908, when a handful of forward-thinking farmers launched a small cooperative creamery. Today, Bongards' processes millions of pounds of milk per day, and is among the largest dairy co-ops in the U.S. But we’ve stayed true to our farmer-owned roots ensuring the best quality possible at every step of the production process. 

We’re looking for dedicated, inspired people who care about unsurpassed quality and doing great things as a team. People who have a passion for problem solving and making an impact where they work. People who thrive in an environment where they’re empowered, respected and rewarded—in a culture that’s entrepreneurial and responsive, where employees have a voice. That’s how innovation happens. 

Job Summary:

Bongards is looking to add full time Cheese Production workers for expansion of our Perham, MN facility. Most of the openings are PM shifts. Cheese Production workers work 12 hour shifts. One week would be 3 days and the next week would be 4 days. Bongards' has a culture of employee empowerment and advancement. The majority of the leadership team in Peraham comes from production employees who have been promoted due to their performance.  The shifts for PM Cheese Packagers are 6 PM to 6 AM. The PM Cheese Packagers are on one of two teams, one team works every Monday and Tuesday and is off every Wednesday and Thursday. The other team works the opposite schedule. The teams split the weekends. Below is the sample of a schedule for someone on the Monday Tuesday rotation.

Job Duties:

• Operate block towers and barrel line and related equipment.
• Use forklift to transfer barrels to the cooler
• Operate boxer and related equipment.
• Watch quality of blocks being formed.
• Perform all necessary sanitation procedures for this position
• Perform sanitation of towers, DMM, barrel line and related equipment.
• Give breaks to the DMM operator
• Responsible for maintaining floor sanitation and cleanliness of other work related areas.
• Keep clear, accurate, and timely records.
• Keep work area clean. 
• Understand the plant’s commitment to customer’s expectations and quality.
• Must report all quality and food safety and quality concerns to immediate supervisor or their designated replacement.
• All other duties as assigned by the supervisor or lead.

Position requirements:

• Must demonstrate excellent communication skills.
• Must be able to follow both written and verbal instructions.
• Must demonstrate a commitment to both food and employee safety.

Physical capabilities:

• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Work environment includes exposure to noise, heat, and cleaning chemicals.

Just ask the people who work for Bongards' now and they’ll tell you that everyone in every function has a true passion for producing safe, high-quality dairy products. That’s what creates the culture of growth and success that you’ll find at Bongards'. When a great team of committed people strives for continuous improvement, opportunities for individual growth will follow. Bongards' history of success is proof of that.