Cheese Maker

Tasks/Duties:

• Uphold Food Safety
• Follow all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
• Learn and understand the entire cheese make process while monitoring changes.
• Monitor pH throughout the make process.
• Mentor and train cheese make apprentices and table operators.
• Delegate and assign duties to cheese processors.
• Monitor the CIP and COP setup.
• Monitor charting: provide legible paperwork, correct completion of all logs and record keeping including ATP swabbing and chemical titration.
• Monitor sanitation of all necessary tools and cheese making equipment.
• Monitor operations of the HTST: sanitize within 15 minutes of startup (Cut in/ Cut out/HSCO), accurate chart installation and labeling, while maintaining a forward flow of product throughout the production run.
• Monitor proper operations of the vats: agitators, knives, pumps, valves and temperatures.
• Monitor proper operations of tables: grates, traverse, chain, gaskets, rakes, motors, augers, pre-draw, curd wash, rake feet. 
• Monitor proper pasteurization of cheese make. Report all issues to Production Management right away. 
• Monitor Cheese make acidity development and pH. 
• Be able to set a vat by monitoring incoming milk pH, temperature, and add rennet cultures.
• Monitor Milk coagulation, check set, make decision of when to cut the curd.
• Monitor vat cut, curd size and curd heal, vat agitation speed, vat cook, vat pre-draw, vat pump over.
• Monitor table operations, curd transfer, curd agitation, curd size, curd wash, pre-draw, whey draining, agitator and traverse speed, curd pH and temperature, salt addition, curd size, agitations, raking, shoveling.
• Ensure all necessary hook ups are in place.
• Ensure proper time management of the cheese make process.
• Ensure all team breaks are assigned and completed.
• Ensure all accidents are reported.
• Ensure all company policies are maintained.
• Complete inventories on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.
• All other tasks as assigned

Qualifications:

• 2-4 years of cheese making experience.
• Experience in the food industry.
• Flexible schedule as production forecasts can change.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds.
• Applicant must be willing to abide by and follow all food safety laws.
• Experience in a manufacturing environment
• Experience in the food industry
• Positive attitude
• Friendly, approachable demeanor
• Flexibility with your schedule as production can change on short notice.
• Ability to work in a warm and humid environment.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each responsibility satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the responsibilities.

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive list of responsibilities that are required of the role. Responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.

MMPA provides the opportunity for meaningful work that makes a difference in the dairy industry and in our communities. The diverse talents and perspectives of our employees help us to meet the needs of our member farms and the customers we serve.

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. 

MMPA is committed to maintaining a safe, healthy, and productive environment for all employees as one of our top priorities. As part of our commitment to your well-being and workplace safety, all applicants are required to undergo a drug screening and background check as part of the hiring process. 

We are not accepting unsolicited candidate introductions, referrals, or résumés from third-party recruiters or staffing agencies for this position.

MMPA is an equal opportunity employer. 

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