Production Associate Jobs in Freeport, IL (NOW HIRING)

Hours and Shift
5:30AM - 5:30PM
2/2/3 Schedule
Pay Range
Pay Starting at $25.70
$3 Night shift premium (6pm - 6am) and $2.25 Weekend shift premium (Saturday and Sunday shifts).
Grande Cheese Company is a family owned enterprise built on a tradition, quality and outstanding performance. We are dedicated to our cultural pride, professional excellence and to the dignity and respect of our Associates.
Overview
Grande operates in a High Performance Work Team (HPWT) structure. A HPWT is an Associate inspired and led journey of continuous growth and improvement to foster Grande Mission and Culture. We strive to empower Associates to develop their knowledge and skills through our Skill Block model. In this model, Associates are assessed and placed into a "skill block" that identifies and aligns with their abilities and knowledge within a specific job area. Along with possessing and maintaining knowledge of those skills, the following describes the overall duties, responsibilities and expectations, encompassing all skill levels, of this position. Not all duties may be required to be performed until the necessary skills are attained.
Production Specialists include the positions of Dairy Production, Packaging, Equipment Operators, Intake, and Receiving & Inventory/Warehouse. Individuals in these roles will perform processes involved in cheese/whey manufacturing, processing and/or distribution ensuring product is produced and delivered according to company specifications, quality and safety objectives.
Job Duties & Responsibilities
1. When working in Dairy Production:
a. Carry out a variety of production duties from preparatory to critical stage processes such as loading and unloading, setup and monitoring of equipment, stirring/mixing, cooking, testing, analyzing, inspecting, final preparation, recording data and providing feedback to Process Leaders.
b. Setup, monitor, calibrate, and troubleshoot equipment to ensure everything is operating effectively. Make adjustments as needed to accommodate weight, temperature, time and sensory changes.
c. Ensure production is running efficiently and processes follow Grande and regulatory standards.
2. When working in Packaging:
a. Operate packaging equipment and ensure continuous flow of product, ensuring proper execution of processes pertaining to diversity of products and multiple product lines.
b. Monitor for proper positioning, spacing, sealing, and correct codes/labels. Independently make decisions to correct and prevent issues as needed in a timely manner.
c. Perform visual inspection for any defects and rework or discard defective products based on procedures.
d. Setup, calibrate, make adjustments, troubleshoot and perform general maintenance to the packaging equipment.
3. When working in Equipment Operations:
a. Operate, inspect, calibrate, adjust, and troubleshoot dairy manufacturing equipment, and perform preventive/general maintenance as needed to ensure optimal performance.
b. Closely monitor instruments and equipment to ensure processes are moving through the stages correctly, and that overall production is flowing efficiently.
c. Perform sampling and testing related to temperatures, moisture, consistency, fat, protein, pH, etc. and record data appropriately.
4. When working in Intake:
a. Coordinate unloading of milk from trucks and transfer to proper storage unit(s) while following all Grande and regulatory procedures to ensure highest quality and safety of milk to go into production processes.
b. Ensure prevention of expired milk by properly prioritizing and unloading trailers in the correct order. Ensure operation of CCP (critical control points).
c. Verify seals, wash tags, and weights from farm pick-up slips to ensure milk has not been tampered with.
d. Properly agitate, collect milk samples for quality testing, and for payments in accordance with regulatory standards.
e. Load out cream, whey and milk from storage areas for appropriate processing.
f. Perform monitoring of equipment, temperatures, and sanitation to ensure milk quality.
g. Maintain inventory and order supplies (i.e. seals, filters) and starter to keep production running efficiently.
h. Operate, inspect, and troubleshoot intake equipment. Perform general maintenance as needed.
5. When working in Receiving & Inventory/Warehouse:
a. Handle receiving of materials from approved suppliers consistent with terms of corporate contracts. Inspect condition of trailers upon arrival for any damage, possible contaminates, proper temperature, insects, etc. Unload and inspect all incoming materials to ensure accurate items and quantities. Ensure received items are properly placed in designated areas and accounted for.
b. Assist packaging operations to prepare pallets for transfer and storage. Setup internal transfers with other facilities.
c. Coordinate the packaging, shipment and return of materials due to defect or damage. Communicate any issues of packing materials.
d. Coordinate outbound shipments such as: customer & transfer orders, bill of lading, pick list, sample requirements, and commodity C.
e. Analyze physical storage location of material is efficient and as close to point of use as possible. Utilize FIFO procedures to keep product moving and accurately tracked.
f. Receive and store all chemicals according to procedures to be consistent with HAACP/FIFO ensuring identification and MSDS paperwork to ensure safety.
g. Operate forklifts and perform inspections, troubleshooting, and general maintenance of forklifts, hand carts, and racking.
h. Conduct cycle counting of materials and supplies to assure proper levels for production. Log and alert of discrepancies, investigate root cause, and take corrective action steps to ensure accurate inventory in the future.
i. Assist with questions related to supplier service, delivery times, service or quality issues.
6. The following additional duties apply to all of the above jobs performed by Production Specialists:
a. Sanitation
i. Perform sanitation of production areas and equipment, which may include: vats, conveyors, machines, tanks, pipes, fans, silos, hoses, and other dairy and packaging equipment. Dismantle, clean, scrub, foam, power wash & rinse, sanitize, de-scale, de-mineralize, and re- assembly to ensure removal of all debris and build-up.
ii. Maintain a clean working area by performing general sanitation including cleaning walls, floors, windows, sinks, scales, drains, footbaths, and electrical panels to keep areas free from pathogens and chemical contamination.
b. Regulatory Compliance & Safety
i. Complete all required documentation, recordkeeping, and reporting as required by law and/or regulatory agencies, (i.e. DNR, DOL, EEOC, FDA, IMS, OSHA, SQF, USDA, WDA, etc.).
ii. Follow all SAFETY (food & workplace) policies and procedures.
c. Additional Responsibilities
i. Complete required paperwork, logs, and data entry into required computer systems (ERP, Scanworx, PowerApp, D365).
ii. Thoroughly understand processes and independently make decisions that affect product quality.
iii. Follow company policies and procedures.
iv. Be a resource and assist with training new Associates on equipment and procedures.
v. Provide back-up relief as needed.
vi. Provide recommendations and feedback to Process Leaders and Managers with regard to improvements for quality, safety, efficiency, eliminating waste, cost savings, and eliminating redundancy and unnecessary manual processes.
vii. Obtain & renew licenses/certifications required for this role in a timely manner.
Read Only Text - Disclaimer
The above list reflects the general details necessary to describe the principle and essential functions of the position and shall not be construed as the only duties that maybe assigned.
Qualifications & Requirements
High School or GED preferred
Experience & Training
• Prior related work experience and/or training in a food manufacturing organization is preferred.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
• Math, reading, and writing skills
• Ability to comprehend and follow technical instructions/policies/procedures in written, verbal, or diagram form.
• Computer skills
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.