Plant or Cooler Associate

Plant or Cooler Associate

Department: Plant

Reports To: Plant Supervisor or Manager

Location: Anderson, IN

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Pay Range + other compensation components: 

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, FSA, thrift profit sharing

Position Overview

The Plant/Cooler Associate responsibilities will include but are not limited to: Operating high speed packaging equipment to process milk, cream, and other dairy products, following specified methods and formulas. May need to connect pipe between vats of processing equipment. Assembling fittings, valves, bowls, plates, impeller shaft, and other parts to equipment with wrench to prepare for operations. (S)he may need to turn valves to pump products, sanitize, and rinse water through pipes and equipment. Starts pump and agitator, observes pressure and temperature gauges, and open valves on vat equipment to fill, stir product in tanks. (S)he will need to pump or pour specified amounts of liquid or powder ingredients, such as skim milk, stabilizer, neutralizer, and vitamins into vat to make dairy products, such as buttermilk, chocolate milk, or ice cream. Testing products for acidity at various states of processing. Records specified time, temperature, pressure, and volume readings.  May be designated according to process performed as by products; mix maker; pasteurizer operator; separator operator; and filling operator. (S)he may be required to hold license from the State Board of Health and Local Government Unit. 

This position works eight (8) hours a day with a minimum of 40 hours per week and required 4 hours of over time when needed, on a daily basis. 

Key Responsibilities

• Loading and unloading milk trailers
• Dragging full milk cases onto conveyors and unloading empty milk cases onto conveyors
• Putting up milk orders off load sheets
• Verifying correct orders are on the right trailer 
• Keeping cooler properly rotated and cleaned

Required Qualifications 

• Ability to lift heavy objects and perform physical labor
• Familiarity with safety protocols to maintain a safe working environment and reduce the risk of accidents
• Ability to handle various chemicals

Preferred Qualifications:

Competencies

• Ability to work well with others
• Ability to work in a safe and clean manner
• Ability to fill out daily reports
• Ability to work without direct supervision
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced work environment

Working Conditions

• Must be able to drug up to six cases of product a time with a metal hook weighing approximately 165-230 pounds.
• Must be able to do this 400-500 times a day and drag these cases anywhere from 50-100 feet.
• Must be able to work in 30-to-40-degree environments along with warm temperatures.
• Able to climb atop various tanks and tankers.
• Must be able to hear, see, stoop, kneel, reach, climb, lift every day.

About Prairie Farms – “Farmer Owned. Locally Produced. Since 1938.”

We are a farmer-owned cooperative. This means we are owned and operated by over 800+ farm families who are critical members of society. They have selflessly taken on the tremendous task of producing nutritious, high-quality milk for a growing population, which requires being on the job 24/7, 365 days a year.

We have represented American agriculture since our founding in 1938. Many of our dairy farms are operated by several generations of family members with roots dating back to the 1800s. On average, each farm milks around 120 cows and everyone pitches in to keep them happy and healthy - which means around-the-clock care!

Our Mission:

• To produce dairy products of the highest quality
• To conduct our business with professional integrity
• To exceed expectations of our customers and consumers
• To support our communities in a positive, sustainable manner
• To deliver exceptional patronage to our network of farm families
• To simply “do right” for our farm families, employees and communities

EEO Statement

Prairie Farms is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.