1st shift Production Processor/Pasteurizer

Open Gates Group is a family of food companies located near Kalona, Iowa, united by a mission to support our employees, strengthen local communities, and champion sustainable farming. What began as a small creamery has grown into a network of 11 food-focused businesses that work together to source, produce, sell, and distribute high-quality Midwestern products to more than 3,500 stores nationwide.

Our Organic Milk comes from grass-fed cows raised on small, family-owned farms that are committed to sustainability. We keep things simple and natural—low-temp pasteurization (never ultra-pasteurized), non-homogenized, with a rich cream top you can taste. Many of our farms are also “Verified Regenerative” through Land to Market, meaning their grazing practices actually improve the health of the land.  We’re currently looking for a 1st shift Production Processor to join our team. Our 1st shift Processor is responsible for setting up and operating processing equipment to process and pasteurize Kalona Supernatural organic dairy products. Typical shift hours are Monday through Friday, beginning at 5am and running until production is done for the day.

What you will do:

• Perform various sanitation and clean-up duties.
• Operate processing equipment to process and pasteurize organic milk, cream, and other dairy products.
• Meet established processing rates.
• Participate in start-up, changeover, and shutdown of operating equipment.
• Rotate through different job tasks, which include testing the acidity of milk and monitoring agitation, temperature, and PH during production.
• Review daily instruction sheets before production.
• Inspect all equipment for cracks, leaks, and other causes of contamination.
• Maintain quality standards per specifications defined by State and/or Federal regulatory agencies.
• Cross-train and support team members in various production-related tasks.
• Stay current with required production technology.
• Uphold, support, and promote all company policies and procedures.
• Perform additional duties necessary to make the business successful.

What you will need:

• High School diploma or GED equivalent. Food manufacturing experience preferred.
• Versatile and able to be cross-trained in various production roles.
• Read and record instrument data in English with attention to detail.
• Verbal and written communication skills, specifically legible handwriting.
• Lift, move, and push 55 lbs on a regular basis.
• Perform physical tasks for extended periods, including: standing, walking, climbing, bending, pulling, and twisting over surfaces.
• Work the scheduled shift, including daily overtime or overtime outside of your regular scheduled hours as required (more than 40 hours per week).
• Adhere to all safety standards and wear all necessary personal protective equipment such as safety shoes, safety glasses, hair/beard net, and gloves when required.
• Adhere to all grooming requirements necessary for a food manufacturing environment.
• Work with allergens that might be present in a food manufacturing environment.
• Team-oriented with a sense of urgency and focus on working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Good attitude with a high level of integrity and alignment with our mission, vision, values & operating principles.

Our Benefits:

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance, STD & LTD, and matching 401k  after 60 days of employment.
• Benefit Bonus/Stipend.
• Paid Holidays, Paid Time Off (PTO), & Birthday PTO.
• Opportunity for advancement.
• Discounted employee purchases.
• Unique, fun, entrepreneurial culture.