Job Description

Job Title:  Cheese Grader / Forklift Operator ($26.97 + $2/hr differential) 

Immediate Supervisor  Production Supervisor

Schedule: 11pm-7am (rotation schedule, every 3rd week you get a 4 day weekend, week days off during the other weeks) This position is 40hrs/wk. 

Pay: Starts at $25.37 and increases to $26.97 after trained (+$2/hr nightshift differential)  

Summary:  The Cheese Grader is responsible for grading of cheese producing a product which meets or exceeds the requirements of company standards and those of the customer and moving product through warehouses. *Must have prior forklift experience; these forklifts use clamp attachments to move stackable product crates. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Through a series of established procedures, assign cheese grades throughout the production cycle.
• Safely and efficiently operate sit-down clamp style forklift 
• Ensure cheese is turned properly during eye formation period.
• Ensure cheese is placed in proper racking.
• Perform final grading of cheese prior to customer shipment.
• Perform sanitary samples for yeast, mold, and coli.
• Re-box cheese if packaging is damaged.
• On occasion, assist with training new employees.
• Document all daily reports for work completed.
• Ensure sanitation, safety, GMP’s (Good Manufacturing Practices) and quality policies and procedures are followed.
• Ensure accurate counts and weights on production are recorded.
• Assist in any other areas of the manufacturing plant when necessary.

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Minimum high school diploma or equivalent skills by experience.
• Must be able to read, interpret and understand written and oral directions.
• Knowledge of proper use of equipment, materials and supplies.
• Must have prior forklift experience
• Must demonstrate basic math skills to calculate production yields, and understand weights and measures
• Must be able to verbally communicate, understand, and write in the English language.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to sit, stand, or walk for prolonged periods of time. The employee is required to use hands and fingers to operate, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms on a repetitive basis. The employee must be able to push, pull, and move up to 100 pounds. The employee must be able to physically lift up to 50 pounds. All jobs require visual acuity to review written documentations; ability to hear and understand speech. At times there can be loud noise which may cause the worker to shout in order to be heard above the ambient noise level. There is exposure to a variety of physical conditions such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, and exposure to heat/cold temperature changes.

Benefits 

Multiple low cost & deductible health plans to choose from

Dental & Vision Insurance

FSA and HSA options

80 hours PTO your first year

No cost, virtual health programs (cardiovascular & physical therapy)

Company paid for short term disability and life insurance. LTD available

Company supplied uniforms

Company paid training 

Paid lunch breaks 

Up to 15% company contributions into employee retirement account, no matching required. 

Employee morale program (holiday meals, gift drawings, discount cheese products, etc.)

Prairie Farms is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.