VACATION RELIEF OPERATOR - Filling, Packing, & Cooler

Lifeway Foods (NASDAQ: LWAY), which has been recognized as one of Forbes’ Best Small Companies, is America’s leading supplier of the probiotic beverage known as Kefir. In addition to its line of drinkable Kefir, the company also produces cheese, drinkable yogurt, and a ProBugs line of Kefir for kids. Lifeway’s tart and tangy fermented dairy products are sold across the United States, Mexico, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. 

Summary  

This position is primarily responsible for covering vacations for the packaging, filling, and shipping departments. Following SQF standards along with Lifeway Wisconsin policies and procedures by performing the following duties.  

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities 

• Follows SQF Requirements along with the company’s procedures to operate and clean filling machines
• Conducts pre-operational sanitation inspections to ensure food processing areas, product contact surfaces and equipment are clean before processing begins
• Monitor Lifeway Wisconsin Critical Control Point (Metal Detection) 
• Inspects bottles being filled and conduct random weight tests to ensure proper fill amounts
• Ensure product weight within defined specification and provide corrective action when weights cannot be met
• Communicates machine status and unacceptable bottle quality to supervisor and/or Plant Manager
• Inspect product for color, flavor, texture 
• Follow work instructions to ensure correct packaging materials are used 
• Performs basic troubleshooting and routine maintenance on filling machines
• Comply with safety regulation and maintains a clean and orderly work area
• Ensures that inbound and outbound shipments are accurate, free of damage and follow SQF system along with company’s policies and procedures for such materials
• Pull and prepare product for shipping, ensuring the exact number and type of product is loaded and shipped
• Move product to storage locations, efficiently stacks and stores product in appropriate areas
• Wrap order on pallet for shipment
• Follow company’s procedures to operate and clean sleeving and packaging machine
• Follow work instructions to ensure correct sleeves are applied to bottles
• Inspect sleeves are being put on properly by machine
•  Ensure lot number is correctly applied to containers 
• Communicate machine status and unacceptable bottle quality to supervisor and/or Plant Manager
• Report to workstation on time; Wear proper work attire; Assist in setting up work area
• Conduct behavior in compliance with Lifeway Employee Policy
• Perform duties according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and Sanitization Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP) that meet quality and safety standards pertaining to: Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points (HACCP), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Wisconsin Department of Agriculture (WDA), and customer requirements
• Perform additional duties as assigned

Qualification and Education Requirements 

• High school diploma required; Or three to six months related experience; Or equivalent 
• Demonstrate intellectual and interpersonal skills through leadership, organization, and self-efficacy 
• Ability to read and write comprehensive reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals and effectively present them to groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public
• Basic mathematical skills and understanding of algebra and geometry
• Knowledge of Manufacturing Software, Inventory Software, and Microsoft Office including Excel and Outlook
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs.; Ability to be on your feet for entirety of 8-hour shift; Ability to climb ladders and maneuver through equipment; Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities

NOTE: The Vacation Relief Operator has a varying start time that can range from 4am to 8am. Supervisors create the schedule at least two weeks in advance so employees can plan accordingly. 

Lifeway Foods, Inc is a growing Chicago-based beverage manufacturer with over 25 years of experience. We are an industry leader in the production of high-quality Kefir. We are an equal-opportunity employer and offer a competitive benefits package. Visit us at www.lifewaykefir.com.