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Dairy Processing Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

fairlife

Senior Dairy Processing Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$107K - $138K/yr

The Sr. Dairy Processing Engineer will come in with deep technical expertise in fluid milk membrane ... Familiarity with regulatory expectations and operator training frameworks for pasteurization ...

fairlife

Senior Dairy Processing Engineer

Chicago, IL

$107K - $138K/yr

The Sr. Dairy Processing Engineer will come in with deep technical expertise in fluid milk membrane ... Familiarity with regulatory expectations and operator training frameworks for pasteurization ...

fairlife

Senior Dairy Processing Engineer

Chicago, IL

$107K - $138K/yr

The Sr. Dairy Processing Engineer will come in with deep technical expertise in fluid milk membrane ... Familiarity with regulatory expectations and operator training frameworks for pasteurization ...

Aerotek

Machine Operator

New Berlin, WI

$22/hr

Dairy Processing Operator The Dairy Processing Operator plays a key role in safely and efficiently operating sleeving and bottling equipment within a regulated food production environment. This ...

Albertsons

Process Engineer - Dairy

Boise, ID · On-site

The Dairy Process Engineer will take a handson, datadriven approach to evaluating currentstate ... Develop, document, and standardize bestpractice operating procedures, process parameters, and ...

Albertsons

Process Engineer - Dairy

Boise, ID · On-site

The Dairy Process Engineer will take a hands-on, data-driven approach to evaluating current-state ... Develop, document, and standardize best-practice operating procedures, process parameters, and ...

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Dairy Processing Operator information

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How much do dairy processing operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for dairy processing operator in the United States is $21.15, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.27 and $23.08 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Dairy Processing Operator vs Milk Plant Worker?

AspectDairy Processing OperatorMilk Plant Worker
CredentialsHigh school diploma, certifications in food safety and equipment operationHigh school diploma, basic training in plant procedures
Work EnvironmentProcessing plants, manufacturing lines, cold storageMilk collection, processing, packaging areas
Job DutiesOperate machinery, monitor quality, ensure safety standardsAssist in milk handling, packaging, cleaning

While both roles work in dairy production, Dairy Processing Operators typically handle machinery operation and quality control, requiring specific certifications. Milk Plant Workers often perform more manual tasks and assist in processing. The roles are complementary within dairy manufacturing facilities, with Dairy Processing Operators focusing on technical operations and Milk Plant Workers supporting daily production tasks.

What are Dairy Processing Operators?

Dairy Processing Operators are professionals responsible for overseeing the production and processing of dairy products such as milk, cheese, yogurt, and butter. They operate and monitor machinery, ensure quality and safety standards are met, and troubleshoot equipment issues. Their role also involves cleaning and sanitizing equipment, maintaining detailed production records, and adhering to strict food safety regulations. Dairy Processing Operators play a crucial part in ensuring that dairy products are safe, consistent, and high-quality before reaching consumers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Dairy Processing Operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Dairy Processing Operator, you need knowledge of food safety regulations, mechanical aptitude, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with pasteurization equipment, automated control systems, and HACCP certification is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are standout soft skills in this role. These skills and qualifications are crucial for producing safe, high-quality dairy products efficiently while maintaining regulatory compliance.

What are some common challenges faced by Dairy Processing Operators during production shifts?

Dairy Processing Operators often encounter challenges such as maintaining product quality while meeting production targets, troubleshooting equipment malfunctions, and ensuring strict adherence to sanitation and safety protocols. Unexpected fluctuations in raw milk quality or temperature can also require quick adjustments to processes. Working collaboratively with maintenance and quality control teams is crucial to resolve issues efficiently and minimize downtime, making strong communication and problem-solving skills essential for success in this role.
More about Dairy Processing Operator jobs
What states have the most Dairy Processing Operator jobs? States with the most job openings for Dairy Processing Operator jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Dairy Processing Operator jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Dairy Processing Operator jobs are:
Dairy Processing Operator jobs near you
Senior Dairy Processing Engineer

Senior Dairy Processing Engineer

fairlife

Chicago, IL • On-site

$107K - $138K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 27 days ago

Job description

fairlife, LLC is a Chicago-based nutrition company that creates great-tasting, nutrition-rich and dairy products to nourish consumers.
With over $3B in annual retail sales, fairlife's portfolio of delicious, lactose-free, real dairy products includes: fairlife® ultra-filtered milk; Core Power® High Protein Shakes, a sports nutrition drink to support post-workout recovery; fairlife® nutrition plan™, a nutrition shake to support the journey to better health.
A wholly owned subsidiary of The Coca-Cola company, fairlife, LLC has been recognized by both Fast Company and Nielsen for its industry leading innovation.
To learn more about fairlife and its complete line of products, please visit fairlife.com.
job purpose:
The Sr. Dairy Processing Engineer will come in with deep technical expertise in fluid milk membrane separations (especially ultrafiltration), thermal processing (HTST/HHST/UHT), and end-to-end milk unit operations-from raw milk receiving through packaging. This role is a hands-on technical authority who will be integral to process technology innovation as well as troubleshooting manufacturing issues, optimizing process capabilities and product quality, supporting pilot-to-plant scale-up, and serving as a trusted partner to Operations, Manufacturing, and Quality.
responsibilities:
Manufacturing technical leadership, Operational Support and Troubleshooting
  • Serve as a go-to technical expert for fluid milk separation, standardization, homogenization, pasteurization systems (HTST/HHST/UHT), and packaging performance.
  • Diagnose and resolve process and product issues.
  • Partner with Operations/Manufacturing/Quality to drive safe, compliant, and reliable production and troubleshoot process deviations, and identify root causes for quality issues.

Process design, scale-up, and optimization
  • Define critical process parameters, key performance indicators, and control plans.
  • Design, coordinate, and execute pilot and commercial-scale plant trials.
  • Own process capability improvements and provide technical input to capital projects and equipment selection.
  • Provide subject-matter expertise on OEM platforms and engineering approaches.

Technical Advocacy
  • Proactively identify opportunities for process optimization that improve efficiency, sustainability, yield or product shelf-life.
  • Lead initiatives and manage stakeholders across Engineering, Quality, and Supply Chain.

Milk chemistry, physical chemistry, and product quality
  • Apply deep knowledge of milk composition and how processing impacts chemistry, physical properties, and functional performance of milk and its components.
  • Partner with Product Development and Operations on formulation/processing choices for fluid dairy products, including shakes and other forms (sensory, taste, texture, stability, shelf-life).

Analytics & data-driven decision making
  • Define plans and execute and interpret analytical testing results tied to processing and shelf-life: milk composition chemistry, rheology, chromatographic/volatile profiling and other relevant analytical methods.
  • Establish and improve SOPs, troubleshooting playbooks, and process data reviews

People leadership
  • Individual contributor to start. Will build and develop a team of 1-4 (e.g., process engineers, dairy scientists, technicians).
  • Build strong cross-functional relationships and communicate clearly from plant floor to leadership level.

skills/qualifications required:
  • MS in Dairy Science, Food Engineering, Food Science, Chemical Engineering, or closely related field with a focus on dairy processing and/or thermal processing.
  • 5-10 years of progressive experience in fluid dairy processing spanning pilot through commercial manufacturing.
  • Demonstrated expertise in:
    • HTST/HHST and/or UHT processing of fluid milk (and/or cream) and practical plant troubleshooting.
    • End-to-end milk unit operations: raw receiving → clarification/separation → standardization → homogenization → pasteurization/aseptic processing → packaging.
    • Ultrafiltration of milk and/or dairy membrane separations (MF/UF/NF/RO familiarity as a plus).
  • Strong technical competence in dairy physical chemistry and processing impacts on proteins/fats/enzymes.
  • Proven ability to partner with Operations/Manufacturing/Quality in a high-accountability environment.
  • Experience with aseptic systems and packaging interactions (commercial aseptic operations strongly preferred).
  • Track record of leading cross-functional root-cause investigations (e.g., flavor defects, oxidation, shelf-life failures, stability issues).
  • Experience in capital projects preferred.
  • Familiarity with regulatory expectations and operator training frameworks for pasteurization systems preferred.

how fairlife nourishes you:
At fairlife, we believe in better - and that includes how we support our people. We offer a comprehensive suite of benefits and wellbeing resources designed to support you physically, emotionally, socially, and financially, both in and out of work.
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, effective day one!
  • Supplemental health plans (hospital indemnity, accident, and critical illness insurance)
  • Paid Time Off to recharge and support work-life balance
  • Paid parental leave & adoption assistance (up to $10,000)
  • Parental support & family care benefits, including childcare resources and lactation support
  • 401(k) to support retirement planning with up to 9% in employer match
  • Wellness reimbursement (up to $500 for qualified wellbeing expenses)
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for emotional wellbeing and work-life support
  • Company-paid life insurance and short-term disability
  • Employer HSA funding (for HDHP participants)
  • Tuition reimbursement (up to $10,000) and student loan repayment ($200/month)
  • Learning & development programs to unlock your full potential
  • Rewards & recognition, matching gifts, free product, and Business Resource Groups

fairlife's nour!sh program is designed to meet you where you are - supporting your individual wellbeing journey while enabling you to do your best work every day.
position location: Chicago, IL
reports to: Sr. Director, R&D
travel requirements: 40-50% travel to our plants
exempt/nonexempt: Exempt
*Base pay offered may vary depending on geography, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. A full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position, is offered.
Base pay range:
$135,000-$165,000 USD
fairlife, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. All qualified applicants and employees will be given equal opportunity. Selection decisions are based on job-related factors.
In addition to its nondiscrimination commitment, the Company will also provide reasonable accommodation of qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the Company. If you have a disability and would like to request accommodation in order to apply for a position with us, please email careers@fairlife.com.
For Recruitment AgenciesAt fairlife, we manage the majority of our hiring internally through our dedicated Talent Acquisition team, which is actively engaged in direct candidate sourcing. Most of our roles are filled through applications submitted via our careers site or through direct outreach by our team.
As our recruitment is primarily handled in-house, we work only occasionally with external agencies, and only those on our existing, pre-approved vendor list. At this time, we are not reviewing or expanding that list.
Unsolicited resumes or submissions from external agencies not authorized by our Talent Acquisition team will be considered direct candidate applications. As such, fairlife will not assume responsibility for any placement fees associated with these submissions.

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