Torchora
Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Dairy Processing Operator

💰 $35,000 - $55,000

ManufacturingFood ProductionAgriculture

🎯 Role Definition

The Dairy Processing Operator is a production-focused role responsible for safely operating dairy processing equipment (pasteurizers, homogenizers, separators, fillers), executing sanitation and CIP procedures, monitoring product quality and yield, and maintaining accurate production and quality records. The ideal candidate ensures compliance with food safety standards (HACCP, GMP, SQF/BRC principles) while optimizing throughput, minimizing waste, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives in a high-volume dairy plant.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Production Associate / Food Production Worker with dairy or beverage experience
  • Dairy Farm Technician or Milk Receiving Operator
  • General Manufacturing/Packaging Operator (food industry)

Advancement To:

  • Lead Dairy Processing Operator / Shift Lead
  • Quality Assurance Technician (food safety focus)
  • Production Supervisor / Operations Supervisor
  • Plant Manager or Continuous Improvement Engineer

Lateral Moves:

  • Maintenance Technician (mechanical/electrical focus)
  • Sanitation Supervisor
  • Inventory/Warehouse Coordinator (ingredient management)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Operate and monitor pasteurizers, homogenizers, separators, valves and pumps to produce milk, cream, yogurt, cheese base or other dairy products to specification while maintaining production throughput and minimizing downtime.
  • Perform accurate set-up and changeover of processing lines including filling, capping, sealing and labeling equipment for different SKUs and package formats while following lot control and traceability procedures.
  • ExecuteClean-In-Place (CIP) and sanitation cycles according to schedules and documented procedures, verify chemical concentrations and temperatures, and log completion to maintain microbial control and regulatory compliance.
  • Monitor in-line process parameters (temperature, pressure, flow, pH, conductivity) using PLC/HMI interfaces and paper/digital batch records; take corrective action or escalate when parameters deviate from control limits.
  • Conduct routine quality checks such as sensory evaluation, fat/protein testing, Brix, pH, viscosity measurements and sample submission to the lab; document results and quarantine product when non-conforming.
  • Load and unload raw milk, dairy concentrates and ingredient totes safely; verify supplier paperwork, check raw material temperatures and accept/reject shipments per receiving specifications.
  • Follow and maintain HACCP, GMP, SSOP and allergen control plans; participate in internal and third-party audits and implement corrective actions to close findings.
  • Maintain accurate batch records, production logs, kill sheets, cleaning logs and maintenance requests to support traceability, regulatory audits and continuous improvement metrics.
  • Perform preventive maintenance tasks and basic mechanical adjustments on pumps, valves, seals, conveyors and filling heads; coordinate with maintenance team for complex repairs to minimize production interruptions.
  • Set up, calibrate and verify process sensors and metering equipment; report calibration deviations and maintain calibration records per quality system requirements.
  • Execute product changeovers, including draining, flushing and re-priming lines, to prevent cross contamination and ensure product integrity during multi-SKU production days.
  • Safely operate material handling equipment such as forklifts, pallet jacks and mobile lifts while following LOTO, pedestrian safety and stacking protocols in the production and cold storage areas.
  • Implement yield and loss reduction measures by monitoring fill weights, pack integrity and waste streams; suggest and document process improvements to increase efficiency and reduce costs.
  • Maintain strict cold chain controls in refrigerated processing and storage areas; monitor and record temperature logs for processing, holding tanks and refrigerated warehouses.
  • Support first-line containment and investigation of non-conforming product including sample collection, root cause analysis support and initiation of corrective/preventive actions.
  • Collaborate with Quality, Maintenance and Production Planning teams to meet daily production schedules, handle urgent rework, and prioritize tasks during high-volume periods or product launches.
  • Adhere to and promote workplace safety practices including PPE use, lockout/tagout (LOTO), confined space entry procedures and chemical safety handling to ensure a zero-incident culture.
  • Train and mentor new operators on safe operation, sanitation, batch recording and GMPs; assist in creating standard work documents and visual aids for operator consistency.
  • Participate in continuous improvement initiatives (5S, Kaizen, process trials) by providing operator-level insights into bottlenecks, equipment limitations and efficiency opportunities.
  • Prepare and maintain accurate documentation for regulatory traceability such as lot coding, expiration dating, and certificate of analysis (COA) attachment for shipments.
  • Respond to and support emergency containment procedures such as recalls, product holds and environmental issues, ensuring timely communication to QA and management.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist with inventory management of ingredients, packaging materials and cleaning chemicals; perform cycle counts and notify procurement of low-stock conditions.
  • Support plant sanitation crew during deep-clean or shutdown procedures, including manual cleaning of tanks, filters and inaccessible piping.
  • Help compile production metrics and KPI data for daily shift reports (OEE, yield, downtime) and contribute operator-level input for shift handovers.
  • Participate in cross-functional safety and quality meetings; provide feedback about procedural gaps and help implement corrective actions.
  • Aid the lab by preparing samples, labeling and transporting them to QA for testing and ensuring chain-of-custody forms are completed.
  • Maintain housekeeping in assigned areas ensuring compliance with 5S and GMP requirements for product protection and employee safety.
  • Support minor electrical and mechanical troubleshooting using schematic knowledge and escalate unresolved issues to maintenance with complete shift documentation.
  • Coordinate with logistics for staging finished goods and ensure packaging lines match palletization and shipping requirements.
  • Assist R&D or pilot plant trials when requested by preparing small batches, documenting process deviations, and providing operator insights to scale trials.
  • Participate in training refresher programs and competency assessments to maintain certifications for food safety, forklift operation and LOTO procedures.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficient operating knowledge of dairy processing equipment: pasteurizers, homogenizers, separators, evaporators and filling machines.
  • Experience executing and documenting Clean-In-Place (CIP) procedures and verification (temperature, conductivity, chemical concentration).
  • Strong understanding of HACCP, GMP, SSOP, allergen controls and regulatory frameworks such as FSMA, SQF or BRC.
  • Ability to read and interpret batch records, SOPs, process flow diagrams, piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs) and control panels (PLC/HMI).
  • Competency in basic mechanical troubleshooting: pump seals, valve adjustments, bearing replacement and belt alignment.
  • Forklift certification and safe operation experience for moving raw materials and finished goods.
  • Familiarity with laboratory testing methods used in dairy plants (pH, Brix, fat/protein tests, microbial sampling) and sample handling procedures.
  • Experience with electronic batch record systems and production reporting tools; proficiency with Excel for basic data entry and trend tracking.
  • Knowledge of refrigeration/cold chain management and temperature monitoring systems for dairy product stability.
  • Understanding of food safety documentation: lot coding, traceability, COAs, kill sheets and recall procedures.
  • Basic electrical awareness and experience following lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures.
  • Experience participating in continuous improvement programs (5S, Kaizen, root cause analysis).

Soft Skills

  • Strong attention to detail and commitment to product quality and food safety.
  • Excellent communication skills for clear shift handovers and cross-functional collaboration with QA, Maintenance and Logistics.
  • Problem-solving mindset with the ability to triage issues and escalate appropriately under time pressure.
  • Ability to follow written SOPs precisely and coach others on standard work.
  • Time management and prioritization skills to balance production targets with safety and quality obligations.
  • Team player attitude and adaptability in a fast-paced, shift-based manufacturing environment.
  • Dependability and punctuality with a safety-first mindset.
  • Continuous improvement orientation with openness to feedback and process optimization.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED

Preferred Education:

  • Associate degree or vocational certificate in Food Science, Dairy Technology, Mechanical Technology, or related field

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Food Science / Food Technology
  • Dairy Technology / Dairy Science
  • Mechanical or Industrial Technology
  • Microbiology or Applied Biology
  • Agricultural Science

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 1–5 years of manufacturing or food/dairy processing experience

Preferred:

  • 2+ years specifically in dairy processing, pasteurization, CIP, or beverage/food production with demonstrated knowledge of HACCP and GMP systems
  • Prior experience with PLC/HMI operation, basic mechanical maintenance, and participating in third-party food safety audits (SQF, BRC)
Explore More Careers