Operator, Control Room - Full-time

Join the California Dairies, Inc. (CDI) team, a farmer-owned cooperative dedicated to sustainably producing the highest quality dairy products while fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. CDI products are delivered locally and around the world. At our Visalia plant, equipped with the largest single evaporator-dryer in North America, we manufacture milk powder, butter, and AMF. We encourage you to be part of our team that's shaping the future of dairy, right from the heart of California!

Our commitment to CDI employees: 

We believe in valuing our team with a total rewards package that goes beyond the basics. You'll find we offer competitive pay and incentive programs designed to recognize and reward your contributions. Competitive medical, dental, and vision benefits, generous paid time off, sick days & holidays, retirement plans designed to secure your future. We don't stop there. We've also cultivated a variety of valuable programs focused on your personal well-being and professional growth, ensuring you have the support you need to both inside and outside of work.

Job Summary

Primarily responsible for operation of the Evaporator, dry process and associated equipment. They must be able to pasteurize milk and take on the responsibility of running product during the processing of milk and chemicals during the CIP stage. 

 

Essential Functions 

• Responsible for making skim milk powder (SMP). 
• Responsible for any equipment necessary to maintain efficient and high-quality production.
• Operation of the Evaporator to ensure quality product that meets specifications.
• Operation of the Dryer(s) to ensure quality product that meets specifications.
• Responsible for maintaining accurate, neat and complete paperwork. 
• Ongoing improvement of knowledge and understanding of all dryer process equipment and protein in general.
• Monitoring of all streams to ensure the proper functionality of the various products.
• Maintain and monitor all Q. C. and production programs per CDI standards.
• Responsible for maintaining equipment and work environment cleanliness.
• Responsible for proper product handling to ensure minimum product loss.
• Responsible for understanding and conducting CIP’s and other cleaning steps according to plant procedures.
• Responsible for care and maintenance of company cleaning tools.
• Follow all Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP).
• Must follow company policies as outlined in the employee handbook.
• Follow all safety and working rules.
• Excellent regular full-time attendance in support of company objectives.
• Use initiative and judgment in making decisions, keeping with California Dairies, Inc. best interests.
• Support and enforce SQF / QA, GMP, Safety policies and procedures, and production needs. “Food Safety and Quality” are the responsibilities of this position.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities) 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Ability to learn and operate computer related controls.
• Must demonstrate good judgement when carrying out duties as assigned.
• Must be able to work in a quick and efficient manner.
• Must demonstrate the ability to run equipment efficiently.
• Basic math and statistics reasoning required.
• Good technical skills with ability to disassemble and assemble equipment.
• Must be able to work in a safe manner and follow all safety procedures.
• Must have the ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Must have the ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in certain situations.
• Basic computational skills required.
• Must have the ability to get along with co-workers, management personnel, customers, vendors, and employees in accordance with the company policies and working rules while ensuring a harmonious and conducive work environment.

Education and/or Experience

• High school diploma or General Education Degree (GED) is required. 

Language Skills

• English is required as the written and spoken language. 
• A well-modulated tonal volume is required with excellent diction skills needed.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Must be able to acquire and maintain an HTST.
• Must possess or be able to acquire and maintain a forklift operator license.
• Must possess or be able to acquire and maintain a valid milk pasteurizer’s license.

Driving Requirements: N/A

Equipment

• Personal protective equipment including, but not limited to hearing protection, bump caps, hair and beard nets, gloves, and safety glasses must be used in the performance of duties. Proper lifting techniques must be employed at all times.
• General knowledge of manufacturing equipment and processes.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The company will make reasonable accommodations that do not cause an undue hardship if such an accommodation enables individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. 

• An employee may encounter ammonia, acids, caustic, chlorines, paints, particles, oils and lubricants, steam, pneumatics, fumes and hazardous gases, sealing compounds.
• The use of non-slip footwear is necessary due to slippery and wet floors.
• The use of rubber gloves is necessary to perform job functions.
• Constantly subjected to moving mechanical parts.
• Employee will be subject to temperatures ranging from 50 degrees F to 130 degrees F.
• Working area is noisy and may require that hearing protection be worn at all times.
• May be required to enter a confined space.

ADA/FEHA

The Company will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act.

EEO

The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Physical Demands

The physical requirements outlined here represent those necessary for successful performance of this position's core responsibilities. Upon request, the company will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these fundamental job duties, provided such accommodations do not create an undue burden on the organization.

• Sitting/Standing/Walking: Each workday, the evaporator/dryer operator will do all three. Must be able to stand on feet for at least a two-hour consecutive period and up to 8-12 hours.
• Lifting/Carrying: Each workday, the evaporator/dryer operator lifts up to 58 pounds on a repetitive basis. They will be expected, each workday to carry 58 pounds on a repetitive basis. Occasional lifting/carrying above 58 pounds may be required as well.
• Pushing/Pulling: Each workday, the evaporator/dryer operator frequently pushes and pulls up to, but not limited to, 58 pounds in a repetitive manner.
• Bending/Stooping: Each workday, the evaporator/dryer operator will bend and stoop often.
• Squatting/Kneeling/Crawling: Each workday, the evaporator/dryer operator will sometimes squat. Occasional kneeling/crawling may be required.
• Twisting/Turning: Each workday, the evaporator/dryer operator will often twist and turn while carrying.
• Climbing/Balancing: Each workday, the evaporator/dryer operator will occasionally climb and/or balance.
• Reaching: Each workday, the evaporator/dryer operator will frequently reach in a repetitive manner.
• Grasping/Manipulating: Each workday, the evaporator/dryer operator will frequently grasp and manipulate in a repetitive manner.

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To all applicants: We take your safety and privacy seriously at California Dairies Inc. All job applicants are directed to apply only through the official career pages. Please be aware that our talent team will never ask for any form of payment, financial account details, or sensitive personal information such as social security numbers. If you receive any suspicious messages claiming to be from California Dairies Inc., please contact us at . U.S. residents can get more information from the FTC at .

 

The pay range is listed below and represents a good faith estimate upon hire. The final offer will depend on factors such as the candidates experience, skills, and qualifications.