Leadman (Cheese Maker) in Fort Wayne, Indiana at Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc.
Explore Related Opportunities
Job Description
Lead Cheese Maker
Department: Plant Operations
Reports To: Supervisor or Operations Manager
Location: Fort Wayne, IN
Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, STD, Pension, Life Insurance
Must be able to work flexible hours
Position Overview
The Lead Cheese Maker is responsible for overseeing the cheese making process to produce a finished product which meets or exceeds the requirements of cheese standards and those of the customer.
Key Responsibilities
To include but not limited to
- Perform all functions associated with processing milk into cheese within the guidelines of the standard operating procedures.
- Follows a specific recipe and time constraints to achieve optimum yields.
- Safely and effectively operate pasteurizing equipment.
- Control cheese culture using time and temperatures with good manufacturing programs.
- Understand the function, application and use of cultures, molds, coagulants, enzymes and milk.
- Perform sanitation requirements and master sanitation schedules.
- Keeps accurate records of all actions, runs accurate tests and takes accurate samples.
- Clean and sanitize equipment according to procedures.
- Document chemical concentrations.
- Assist in any other areas of the manufacturing plant when necessary.
- Comply with all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
- Attend GMP, FSMA, Food Defense Awareness, and Allergen Training.
- Maintain accurate paperwork.
- Meet all requirements of SQF Program.
Required Qualifications
- High school diploma, or equivalent.
Required Skills/Abilities:
- Ability to work well with others.
- Knowledge in cleaning chemical application and safety.
- Proper knowledge of Critical Control Point.
- Basic computer skills.
- Ability to work in a safe and clean area.
- Ability to work in a safe and efficient manner.
- Ability to fill out daily written reports.
Required Soft Skills:
- Ability to work without direct supervision.
- Excellent verbal communication skills.
- Coachable and willing to learn.
- Must be able to follow both verbal and written instructions.
- Ability to communicate and direct others.
- Able to train others in the area.
- Must be able to verbally communicate, understand and write the English language effectively.
Competency
- Analytical skills for data interpretation.
- Working in a safe, efficient manner.
- Works well with numbers.
Working Conditions
- (S)he will be required to sit, stand or walk for prolonged periods of time.
- Will be required to use hands and fingers to operate, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls and reach with hands and arms on a repetitive basis.
- The employee must be able to push, pull, and move up to 100 pounds.
- The employee must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.
- Requires visual acuity to review written documentations; ability to hear and understand speech.
- Sufficient noise to cause the worker to shout in order to be heard above the ambient noise level.
- Exposure to a variety of physical conditions such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, and exposure to heat/cold temperature changes.
About Prairie Farms – “Farmer Owned. Locally Produced. Since 1938.”
We are a farmer-owned cooperative. This means we are owned and operated by over 800+ farm families who are critical members of society. They have selflessly taken on the tremendous task of producing nutritious, high-quality milk for a growing population, which requires being on the job 24/7, 365 days a year.
We have represented American agriculture since our founding in 1938. Many of our dairy farms are operated by several generations of family members with roots dating back to the 1800s. On average, each farm milks around 120 cows and everyone pitches in to keep them happy and healthy - which means around-the-clock care!
Our Mission:
- To produce dairy products of the highest quality
- To conduct our business with professional integrity
- To exceed expectations of our customers and consumers
- To support our communities in a positive, sustainable manner
- To deliver exceptional patronage to our network of farm families
- To simply “do right” for our farm families, employees, and communities
EEO Statement
Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.