Relief Operator III - Cheesemake

Competitive pay meets leadership opportunity: earn up to $35.20/hour as a Relief Operator III in Antigo, WI! ABR Employment Services has an immediate opening with a premiere client. This is a temporary position with strong potential for try-before-hire placement for a skilled, dependable candidate. Featuring an overnight 2nd shift on a predictable rotating 2-2-3 schedule (4:00 PM - 4:00 AM) and comprehensive cross-training across multiple cheesemaking operations, this role is designed for an experienced dairy or food manufacturing operator ready to take the next step in their career.
Hours:
2nd Shift: 4:00 p.m. - 4:00 a.m., Rotating 2-2-3 schedule
Wage:
$32.70 per hour base + $2.50 per hour shift premium ($35.20/hr total on 2nd shift)
This is a temporary position with potential try-before-hire opportunity for strong performers. Full benefits package available upon direct hire.
SUMMARY:
The Relief Operator (RO) III - Cheesemake oversees the full cheesemaking process to ensure the production of high-quality cheese. As a subject matter expert (SME), this hands-on operator demonstrates proficiency across multiple production areas (including Intake, Cheesemake, Tables, Whey System, Brine, and Sanitation) while operating automated equipment, monitoring parameters, and maintaining strict food safety standards.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Execute setup, sanitation, start-up, and shutdown of core cheesemaking systems, including vats, HTST pasteurizers, milk separators, and cream handling equipment.
  
• Measure and add cultures, enzymes (rennet), and ingredients according to recipes, maintaining accurate batch logs.
  
• Monitor and adjust critical process variables including time, temperature, pH, moisture, and salt levels.
  
• Unload incoming milk tankers, conduct antibiotic sampling, verify milk volumes/temperatures, and maintain receiving records.
  
• Operate drain tables, block-forming towers, and finesavers; evenly salt curd and monitor curd movement.
  
• Run automated whey separators, reverse osmosis (RO) polisher systems, and load concentrated whey tankers.
  
• Manage brine systems, monitor salinity/pH/temperature, and operate overhead cranes to move cheese cages in and out of brine tanks.
  
• Execute automated Clean-in-Place (CIP) and manual Clean-out-of-Place (COP) wash cycles across vats, towers, silos, and lines.
  
• Train and mentor team members, identify equipment malfunctions, assist maintenance with basic troubleshooting, and support continuous improvement audits.
  

QUALIFICATIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• High school diploma or equivalency required (GED).
  
• 3+ years of food manufacturing or automated machine operation experience desirable (cheesemaking background strongly preferred).
  
• Strong mechanical aptitude, computer literacy, and comfort working with automated operator interfaces.
  
• Solid math skills (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division involving whole numbers, fractions, and decimals).
  
• Clear verbal and written communication skills to document production logs and coordinate with cross-functional teams.
  
• Must hold or be willing to obtain required dairy certifications (such as Cheesemaker\'s License, Pasteurizer Operator Certification, Bulk Milk Weigher/Sampler, and internal Forklift certification).
  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a Team Member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Regularly required to stand, walk, climb equipment/catwalks, stoop, kneel, and handle tools throughout a 12-hour shift.
  
• Regularly lift and move up to 55 lbs.
  
• Safely maneuver chemical drums weighing up to 550 lbs using a two-wheeled barrel dolly.
  
• Work is performed in an active food production plant with exposure to heat, wet/humid conditions, elevated platforms, and cleaning chemicals (all required safety equipment and PPE provided).
  

Let's connect!
Finding the right schedule, wage, and environment is key. I would love to talk through the details of this opening, learn more about your background, and see if this is the right next step for your career.
Liz Russove | Staffing Recruiter

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ABR Employment Services is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veterans\' status.PandoLogic. Keywords: Relief Operator, Location: Antigo, WI - 54409