Evaporator Operator I

Job Type:

Invest in you, Join Agropur as an Evaporator Operator for the Lake Norden Plant. We dairy you! 

PTO on your first day of work!

How Agropur invests in YOU:   

• Starting Rate: $26.49 hourly

• Two pay increases within a year, up to $1.00

• Sunday Double Time

• Competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefits package focusing on your physical, financial, and emotional health to include the following perks as well as the standard benefit offerings: 

  • Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Short and Long-term Disability Insurance  

  • 401(k) with up to 7% company contributions 

  • 3 Weeks PTO on day 1

  • Paid holidays and 2 floating holidays

  • Paid parental leave 

  • Advancement Opportunities 

  • Healthy work/life balance

Who we are:

We are an employee-focused organization that promotes from within and are looking for enthusiastic, team-oriented employees to join our growing team. Founded in 1938, Agropur is a top 20 global dairy processor. In addition to being one of the largest award-winning cheese manufacturers, Agropur is a leader in high quality and diverse nutritional whey proteins. Agropur’s 10 US-based, SQF Certified plants are behind some of the most prominent food, beverage, and nutrition brands in the industry. Vertically integrated by design, Agropur provides future-forward solutions in the areas of cheese, ingredients, beverages, and custom contract manufacturing services. “Better Dairy. Better World.” www.agropur.com

What this role is all about:

The Evaporator Operator I is responsible for the operation of the evaporator and ensuring optimum daily performance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Perform daily operations and cleaning of equipment associated with the whey evaporator.
• Complete all documentation in an accurate and timely manner.
• Follow all GMP, SOP and HACCP programs.
• Monitor processes, materials or surroundings and review information by telephone, in written form or in person.
• Identify information by categorizing, estimating and recognizing changes or deviations in circumstances and/or events.
• Perform operator level maintenance when needed.
• Understand and comply with all Quality Assurance policies, and immediately report any potential food safety issues to management.
• Follow complicated startup procedure of equipment. 
• Monitor raw whey flow into balance tank, through pasteurizer and to evaporator for condensing and then ultimately to a crystallizer tank for drying into dried Sweet Dairy Whey powder production.
• Regulate factors such as whey solids and temperature and make adjustments depending on the type of whey to be produced.
• Take frequent readings and log upwards of fifty variables.
• Operate Clean-In-Place (CIP) cycles.
• Troubleshoot and maintenance of machinery. 
• Clean and sanitize all parts of Whey Evaporator department including walls, floors, and equipment. 
• Assist all other coworkers with training, tasks and duties within the department.

Schedule: Days and nights rotation 2-2-3 5:30 to 5:30

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• May involve operation of a Critical Control Point as determined by the plant HACCP/Food Safety Plans.
• Troubleshoot and perform minor repairs on equipment as needed.
• Understand and adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Safety Protocol
  • Stop any observed unsafe acts and obey facility safety rules and procedures.
  • Correct or report any observed safety hazards.
  • Support safety policies and programs.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities, as management may deem necessary from time to time.

Qualifications:

Education Required:

• High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.

Experience Required:

• No previous experience required; on-the-job training provided.
• Minimum one (1) year of related experience preferred.

Certification/Licensure Required:

• None

Skills Required:

• Communicate well both verbally and in writing with managers and colleagues.
• Ability to read, understand, and adhere to documents and procedures (GLP, SOP, SDS, GMP, test procedures, and HACCP).
• Basic math skills (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division).
• Basic computer operational skills; able to input and retrieve computerized information.
• Ability to follow written, verbal and diagrammatic instructions; complete simple checklists and complete required documentation.
• Demonstrate strong organizational and time management skills.
• Decisions administered soundly and consistently with policies and in compliance with appropriate laws and regulations. 
• Demonstrate functional and technical knowledge, ability to learn new skills quickly, and achieve a high level of accomplishment.
• Ability to solve problems by adapting knowledge and experience.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively at all levels in a collaborative team environment.
• Exhibit a professional manner in dealing with others and work to maintain constructive working relationships.

The Location:

Lake Norden:

Our Lake Norden, SD, plant is home to approximately 360 employees and boasts a brand new, state of the art cheese and whey facility. We produce mozzarella, provolone, parmesan, romano, asiago, and Monterey Jack cheeses as well as various whey streams.

The Lake Norden, SD, area is known for its beautiful lakes and outdoor activities. There are both small and large towns within the area with great schools and healthcare. You can also visit the Watertown Chamber site www.watertownsd.com for more information on local events.

Check out this fun video to learn more about us!

https://vimeo.com/3430055hy27

AA/EEO – Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity

Agropur welcomes people from all backgrounds and origins. We are proud to be an employer with a diverse community and are committed to providing a respectful and inclusive experience for all employees and applicants. We will work with candidates who request accommodation. Please note that an adequate knowledge of French is required for positions in Quebec. Agropur uses artificial intelligence technology to assist our recruiters in screening, assessing, or selecting applicants for this position. 

In this text, the use of the masculine gender to designate persons is intended only to lighten the text.