Milk Processing Operator Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

 Two Positions Different Shifts:

• (1) 4:00AM - 12:30PM (Off Sunday and Friday)
• (1) 8:00PM - 4:30 AM (Off Saturday and Sunday)  

Must be willing to work overtime, weekends and holidays as needed.

Pay Rate: $23.95 per hour (starting rate at 70% of the full rate)

 Wage Progression:

• 70% at hire: $23.95/hour
• 85% after 6 months: $29.08/hour
• 100% after 1 year: $34.21/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:

• 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.
• As a union member, you'll have access to comprehensive benefits and a pension plan provided through the union.
• Our employees are an integral part of who we are — what you do and what you think matters.

SUMMARY

Tends machines that perform one or more packaging functions, such as filling, coding, marking, labeling, and indicating changeovers. Starts machine and observes operation to detect malfunctions. Stops machine and reports malfunction to supervisor.  Various machines are involved in this operation such as the Gallon and ½ Gallon Federal and Serac filler.

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 accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Follow all associated procedures.
• Operates more than one machine.
• Tends machine that fills pasteurized products into containers.
• Operate and monitor automated filling machines for various milk products (gallon jugs, cartons, bottles, etc.).
• Examine containers from all lines for seals, labels, weights, dates, and valves.
• Seals are to be checked top and bottom for stains and valves are to be checked for excess leakage.
• Review with the lab for approvals of each product change on each machine.
• Observe the flow of milk into the machine and remove defective containers.
• Place containers on the machine and adjust machines of various sizes.
• Records information in 1-hour intervals for weight and leak checks.
• Maintain compliance and ensure that all materials are handled under manufacturers’ recommendations, and internal food safety requirements, and under regulatory standards that are established by GMP, PMO, OSHA, and FDA.
• Accurately prepare & maintain all area paperwork, documents, and downtime records.
• Ensure all finished products meet quality assurance checks (checking cap label code). Verify the cap label code every 5 minutes.
• Perform product, label, and cap changeovers.
• Utilizes tank control system to actuate tanks and valves for product supply.
• Immediately (within five minutes) notify the shift supervisor when your filler is unable to operate. This excludes product changeovers and other routine reasons for downtime.
• Maintain sanitation of equipment including hand cleaning; Responsible for general housekeeping to ensure a clean, sanitary, and safe work area.
• Disassembles, cleans, rebuilds, and assembles equipment to meet rebuild requirements. CIPs and sterilizer fillers as required.
• Reprocess milk and complete restacking as needed.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Prior experience in dairy processing, food manufacturing, or a similar environment is a plus.
• Familiar with CIP (Clean-in-Place) systems and sanitation procedures
• Ability to operate and maintain production equipment safely.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow food safety guidelines.
• Exposure to cold storage, wet environments, and dairy ingredients.

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.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.