Milk Lab Jobs in Pennsylvania (NOW HIRING)

Work Schedule: 3rd Shift (Thursday - Monday)

Hours:  with willingness to work overtime, different days/shifts for coverage, extra days, and holidays as needed.

Rate: $25.79/ hour (starting rate at 80% of the full rate)

Wage Progression:

• 80% at hire: $25.79/ hour

• 90% after 6 months: $28.20/ hour

• 100% after 1 year: $31.33/ hour

This position follows a union wage progression scale. Employees advance to the full rate after one year of continuous service.

Why you will love working at Maola Local Dairies®:

• Built on over a century of dedication, Maola is always looking ahead—investing in our people, strengthening our communities, and securing fresh, local dairy for the future.
• Join a farmer-owned cooperative rooted in integrity, sustainability, and a passion for providing fresh, high-quality Maola dairy products.
• We prioritize your well-being with competitive pay and a Union comprehensive benefits package, including Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) with employer match, paid time off, and more
• Our employees are an integral part of who we are — what you do and what you think matters.

SUMMARY:

A Pure Pack operator oversees the daily operations and workflow of the Evergreen filler area. May direct at different levels, handling specific duties or cover a wide range of responsibilities. At the core of the production process, the Pure Pack operator may also directly oversee all aspects of equipment sanitation or repair. The Pure Pack operator is expected to efficiently and effectively oversee production to meet and exceed company goals for that shift. Responsible for the correct product, in the correct package, run at the manufacture’s maximum recommended rate, with the correct fill weight, in the correct quantity, in the correct run order, with the correct sell-by date, and the correct time.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

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.

• Operates more than one machine.
• Accountable for maintaining high level of compliance in housekeeping, GMP’s, and keeps the work area clean and inspection ready.
• Responsible for the operation of the Evergreen fillers to ensure the correct quantity of containers are in the fillers. Check the assembly, operation and setting of the machines at the start of operation or shift, as well as throughout the shift.
• Ensure proper amount of weight checks, dye checks and peroxide checks are performed on fillers. Product being packaged matches description of container.  Ensures all required samples are pulled and supplied to the lab.
• Responsible for all products packaged, assures the correct weight, proper seal sell-by code and records information. Ensures product is being supplied from correct storage tank. 
• Fill product from order sheet at the manufacture’s maximum recommended rate for the Filler.
• Keep record of downtime and reasons for being down. Keep an accurate count of each label packaged.
• Performs machine change overs to complete carton package size scheduled.
• Utilizes tank control system to actuate tanks and valves for product supply.
• Immediately (within five minutes) notifies the shift supervisor when your filler is unable to operate. This excludes product changeovers and other routine reasons for downtime.
• Disassembles, clean, rebuild and assemble equipment to meet rebuild requirements. CIP’s and sterilizes filler’s as required.
• Manages carton and fitment supplies for fillers during shift.
• Supports other filler operators to ensure equipment stays running. Runs fillers as needed during a changeover or times when operator is having issue with one of their two fillers.  
• Manages changeovers and ensure the correct product is being run.
• Ensures timely startups and communicates necessary information to all supervisors and managers.
• Provides suggestions to improve the operation and the efficiency of the equipment.
• Responsible to be available to keep the department running when needed, including but not limited to performing all roles associated with the Pure Pack process.
• Responsible to assist in resolving problems when they arise.
• Performs any and all duties as directed by management in accordance to contract slack to busy article.
• All employees are expected to support the Safe Quality Food (SQF) Program by following food safety and quality procedures, maintaining hygiene and cleanliness, and reporting any concerns. Team members must understand their role in the SQF System, complete required training, and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement to ensure safe, high-quality products.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimum high school diploma with higher education or certification required.
• Three (3) years in a manufacturing environment preferred.

COMPETENCIES:

• Communication
• Communicate clearly and effectively through multiple channels – oral, written, visual, and non-verbal – ensuring our messages are understood and delivered appropriately, whether in-person or digitally.
• Accountability
• Take responsibility for actions and anticipate challenges before they arise.
• Solve problems both within and outside of departments, proactively addressing issues as they occur. 
• Customer Focused
• Prioritize understanding and meeting both internal and external customer needs.
• Ensure high levels of satisfaction and loyalty by anticipating customer requirements and striving for exceptional service.
• Initiative
• Proactive in identifying opportunities and addressing potential threats.
• Act independently and decisively, rather than waiting for situations to demand action.
• Problem-Solving
• Possess the ability to identify and address complex issues with minimal guidance.
• Skilled at analyzing challenges and finding practical, effective solutions. 
• Collaboration
• Take responsibility for deliverables while also supporting others to ensure that collective goals are met.
• Able to work harmoniously with others toward a common goal, recognizing and valuing each person’s contributions, is fundamental to successful collaboration. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear.  The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee must be able to reach, bend, extend, and lift 50-60 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The work environment may require working in the cooler room with varying degrees of temperature and may include contact with water or dairy liquids.
• Exposed to a noise level of 90 decibels.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate/high.  Wet/slippery work conditions.

Maola Local Dairies® is a farmer-owned cooperative sustainably producing a full suite of nutritious dairy products.  Maola processes milk, cream, butter, and dry milk powders through our network of six dairy processing plants. With a keen eye on quality, freshness, and love for the environment, Maola delivers dairy products that are both nutritious and sustainable to our local communities. For more information about Maola, please visit www.maolamilk.com.

Equal Employment Opportunity/M/F/disability/protected veteran status.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.