Plant Foreperson

About the role

Select Milk Producers is one of the nation's largest and most progressive dairy cooperatives, with 32 wholly owned subsidiaries, 8 processing plants, and 8 joint ventures including Continental Dairy Facilities, Continental Dairy Facilities Southwest, Mill Haven Foods, Select Custom Solutions, GreenLink and Select Services. With over 800 employees, the Select Milk family of companies impacts all aspects of the dairy farm business and at the heart of our family of companies, is you.

"We strive to go above and beyond what's expected in providing for our families, leading our employees, caring for our land and animals, serving our customers, producing quality milk, and serving one another. This commitment is more than our business, it's in our culture and our character. We believe in being accountable, in doing what's right, in performing at our best, in setting a higher standard."

Select Milk Producers and its subsidiaries offer an attractive compensation and a best-in-class benefits package that includes but is not limited medical, vision, dental, life insurance and more that can be tailored for you and your family. Other benefits for eligible employees include 401(k) up to 6% company match, life and disability insurance, and paid holidays & vacation.

Summary of Functions

Support operation of receiving, separators, cream pasteurizer, butter operation, evaporators, dryer, and packaging operation. Operations include running of equipment, cleaning of equipment, completion of necessary paperwork in a clear concise manner, and maintaining work area in a clean sanitary condition at all times. Assist in training new personnel in the proper operation of all equipment. Enforce and ensure company policies and safety procedures are adhered to.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Support daily operation of receiving raw products, separators, HTST's, evaporators, load outs, butter operation, warehouse, dryer and powder packaging.
• Monitor chemical use during cleanup, CIP logs, and maintain proper rotation of products.
• Be inspection ready: Have all air blows and foot baths changed daily, have floors and drains cleaned and review master sanitation logs. Have recording charts in proper conditions and inform management as needed.
• Inform other departments of necessary changes or run conditions and report to Supervisor any problems encountered, and then follow any further instructions from management.
• Occasionally check product silos, evaporators and tankers for proper CIP.
• Assist in the proper sampling of hourly condensed skim, cream, and powder samples as required.
• Report violations of company policies, procedures, and working rules to a Supervisor.
• Assist with servicing of pumps and valves when need and/or per preventative maintenance schedule.
• Report immediately to Supervisor of any damage, irregular activity, or unsafe conditions concerning the equipment.
• Follow all safety, work, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) rules.
• Support departments short staffed, Receiving, Evap, Dryer, Ava-pak, Butter, Butter Packaging, and Warehouse.
• Support plant operations and Quality in troubleshooting quality concerns.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position has no employee supervisory responsibilities in discipline, hiring, and firing.
• If there are employee problems, you are to report them to a Supervisor or Plant Superintendent.
• Have the responsibility of calling in employees if needed to cover a shift.
• Responsible for supporting plant operations, supervision, and reporting on the processes above.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

• To perform this job successfully, individuals must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Must work in a safe, efficient manner and follow all safety procedures including the use of safety equipment.
• Must have the ability to troubleshoot small problems, and be able to discern when issues may require input form levels of authority within the corporation.
• Must be willing to ask for assistance when the process is unclear.
• Proficient in verbal and written communication skills.
• Leadership, team development, coaching, and/or teaching experience.
• Must be able to operate the equipment efficiently.

Education And/or Experience

• A High School diploma, General Education Degree (GED), or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Must possess or be able to acquire a Forklift Operator License and a Sampler's License.