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Milk Processing Plant Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Associated Milk Producers

SQF PRACTITIONER

Sanborn, IA · On-site

$16.50 - $20/hr

Preventative and Process Controls * Monitoring Activities for: * Pre-Requisite Programs * Critical ... This position must follow, at all times, all GMP, safety, and other plant policies and procedures ...

Guida's Dairy

Field Representative I

Des Moines, IA

... processors, and other cooperatives * Develop and maintain professional relationships with DFA's stakeholders, including members and non-members, haulers, appropriate milk plant personnel, and ...

Associated Milk Producers, Inc.

SQF PRACTITIONER

Sanborn, IA · On-site

$93K - $127K/yr

Preventative and Process Controls * Monitoring Activities for: * Pre-Requisite Programs * Critical ... This position must follow, at all times, all GMP, safety, and other plant policies and procedures ...

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All JobsMilk Processing Plant JobsMilk Processing Plant Jobs in Iowa

Milk Processing Plant information

See Iowa salary details

$8

$20

$42

How much do milk processing plant jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for milk processing plant in Iowa is $20.58, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.69 and $23.40 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a milk processing plant do?

A Milk Processing Plant is a facility where raw milk from dairy farms is collected, processed, and packaged for distribution and consumption. The plant uses specialized equipment to pasteurize, homogenize, and sometimes fortify the milk to ensure it is safe and meets quality standards. Additionally, milk processing plants may produce other dairy products such as cheese, butter, and yogurt. These plants play a critical role in maintaining food safety and providing consumers with fresh, high-quality dairy products.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a milk processing plant operator?

To thrive as a Milk Processing Plant Operator, you need a solid understanding of dairy processing, food safety regulations, and quality control, often supported by a high school diploma or vocational training in food technology. Familiarity with pasteurization equipment, automated processing systems, and compliance with HACCP standards is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving, and strong teamwork skills set top performers apart in this role. These competencies ensure safe, efficient operations and high-quality dairy products in a regulated environment.

What are some common challenges faced by employees working in a milk processing plant?

Employees in a milk processing plant often face challenges such as maintaining strict hygiene standards, adapting to shift work schedules, and handling the physical demands of the job, which may include standing for long periods and operating heavy machinery. Quality control is critical, so attention to detail and the ability to follow safety protocols are essential. Additionally, workers need to collaborate closely with team members to ensure efficient production and timely delivery of dairy products.

What is the difference between Milk Processing Plant vs Milk Quality Inspector?

AspectMilk Processing PlantMilk Quality Inspector
Primary RoleOversees the entire milk processing operation, including production, packaging, and quality controlInspects and tests milk samples to ensure quality and safety standards are met
Required CredentialsDiploma or degree in dairy technology, food technology, or related fieldsDiploma or degree in dairy technology, food safety, or microbiology
Work EnvironmentFactories, processing plants, production linesLaboratories, processing plants, on-site inspections
Industry UsageUsed by dairy processing companies and manufacturersUsed by quality assurance departments, regulatory agencies

While both roles require knowledge of dairy products and quality standards, the Milk Processing Plant role focuses on managing the entire processing operation, whereas the Milk Quality Inspector concentrates on testing and ensuring milk quality at various stages.

What job categories do people searching Milk Processing Plant jobs in Iowa look for?

The top searched job categories for Milk Processing Plant jobs in Iowa are:

Milk Processing Plant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Milk Processing Plant job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 86% In-person, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,805 per year, or $20.6 per hour.

Plant Operations Manager- Farmers Creamery

FARMERS ALL NATURAL CREAMERY, LLC

Wellman, IA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago

Job description

Description

Open Gates Group, based near Kalona, IA, is a family of companies dedicated to the growth and manufacturing of local dairy products. What began as a single creamery has grown into 11 businesses that source, produce, and deliver high-quality Midwestern products to over 3,500 stores nationwide. Our unique organic milk comes from grass-fed cows on small family farms, pasteurized at the lowest legal temperature, non-homogenized, and verified regenerative through Land to Market- which means that our cows are grazed in a way that enhances the environment, rather than harming it. 


We're looking for a hands-on Plant Operations Manager to lead our dairy production manufacturing efforts at Farmers Creamery.


SUMMARY

The Plant Operations Manager is a hands-on leader responsible for overseeing all daily production plant operations, while driving performance through strong leadership, data-driven decision-making, and continuous improvement. In partnership with operations leaders and cross-functional teams, this role fosters a safe and high-performing manufacturing environment, ensuring consistent delivery of high-quality products that meet customer expectations. This position is highly visible on the production floor and requires a leader who can develop people, solve problems in real time, and translate operational data into actionable improvements.


KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership & Team Development

  • Provide overall leadership, direction, and coordination for plant operations.
  • Lead, coach, and develop supervisors and production teams to build a strong leadership pipeline.
  • Create a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous learning.
  • Conduct regular coaching conversations, performance feedback, and development planning.
  • Ensure staffing, training, and team structure support operational goals.
  • Promote a positive, team-oriented environment that reinforces safety, quality, and operational excellence.

Operations Management

  • Oversee all daily plant operations, including production and manufacturing activities.
  • Ensure production schedules are executed efficiently to meet customer demand and business objectives.
  • Monitor operations to ensure adherence to plant and corporate procedures.
  • Maintain high standards for safety, efficiency, and product consistency.
  • Increase production asset capacity and flexibility while minimizing unnecessary costs.

Food Safety & Quality

  • Adhere to quality work practices, follow GMPs, and maintain sanitary conditions at all times.
  • Ensure compliance with all food safety and regulatory requirements (GMP, HACCP, SQF, OSHA, FDA, USDA, Organic).
  • Reinforce a strong food safety culture across all teams.
  • Investigate quality or compliance issues, determine root causes, and implement corrective actions.

Performance Metrics & Analytics

  • Develop, track, and analyze key production KPIs (e.g., yield, throughput, downtime, labor efficiency, quality metrics).
  • Translate operational data into insights that drive performance improvements.
  • Establish standards for performance and accountability across teams.
  • Identify trends, gaps, and opportunities using data-driven analysis.

Continuous Improvement & Problem Solving

  • Identify and implement strategies to improve plant performance and exceed KPIs.
  • Lead root cause analysis and structured problem-solving initiatives.
  • Monitor operations to identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies; implement sustainable solutions.
  • Drive process improvements that enhance productivity, quality, and cost efficiency.
  • Support and lead change initiatives, including new processes, equipment, or technologies.

Collaboration & Communication

  • Partner with cross-functional teams including Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, R&D, and HR.
  • Communicate clear expectations, goals, and performance updates across all levels of the organization.
  • Align operational priorities with broader business objectives.
  • Lead regular production meetings focused on safety, performance, and continuous improvement.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

  • Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, Agriculture, Engineering, Operations, or related field preferred.
  • 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in dairy, food manufacturing, or fluid processing environments.
  • Strong knowledge of food safety and regulatory compliance (GMP, HACCP, SQF, OSHA, FDA, USDA).
  • Proven ability to lead teams, develop people, and drive operational results.
  • Demonstrated experience with KPI development, performance metrics, and data analysis.
  • Strong problem-solving skills with experience in root cause analysis and process improvement.
  • Excellent communication and leadership presence with the ability to influence across teams.
  • Highly organized with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple initiatives.

PHYSICAL & WORK ENVIRONMENT

  • Frequent presence on the production floor.
  • Ability to stand, walk, bend, and lift as needed.
  • Exposure to production environments, including cold temperatures, humidity, chemicals, and moving mechanical equipment.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

  • Strong, engaged teams with clear accountability and development pathways
  • Measurable improvements in key production KPIs
  • Reduced downtime, waste, and inefficiencies
  • Consistent delivery of safe, high-quality products
  • A culture of ownership, continuous improvement, and operational excellence

Apply