Sr Technician, Operations

Join the California Dairies, Inc. (CDI) team, a farmer-owned cooperative dedicated to sustainably producing the highest quality dairy products while fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. CDI products are delivered locally and around the world. Our state-of-the-art Extended Shelf Life (ESL) and Aseptic Ultra High Temperature (UHT) dairy bottling facility, Valley Natural Beverages, produces premium beverages in various formats, and these shelf-stable products are shipped globally. We encourage you to be part of our team that's shaping the future of dairy, right from the heart of California!

Our commitment to CDI employees:
We believe in valuing our team with a total rewards package that goes beyond the basics. You'll find we offer competitive pay and incentive programs designed to recognize and reward your contributions. Competitive medical, dental, and vision benefits, generous paid time off, sick days & holidays, retirement plans designed to secure your future. We don't stop there. We've also cultivated a variety of valuable programs focused on your personal well-being and professional growth, ensuring you have the support you need to both inside and outside of work.

Job Summary
The Senior Operations Technician will provide daily training, development, and leadership that supports plant performance objectives. The Senior Operations Technician will be a working member of this team and will be required to have an excellent understanding of operational requirements for HTSTs, HHSTs, UHTs, milk receiving, milk separation, milk product filling, and packaging operations. The Senior Operations Technician must have a comprehensive understanding of every job function within the plant. Their work hours will vary from day to day, and their scheduled days off may change on a weekly basis, depending on operational needs. Senior Operations Technicians will perform and document safety, quality, regulatory, maintenance, and sanitation activities.

Essential Functions

• Lead daily direction setting meetings and shift close out meetings.
• Provide daily safety and quality training and update safety and quality alert status.
• Lead daily Team operational performance reviews and identification of root cause and implementation of corrective actions as required.
• Oversee training and development of assigned Team members to ensure compliance to training and development requirements.
• Effectively operate HTSTs, HHSTs, UHTs, milk product fillers, and other plant equipment in accordance with all plant safety, regulatory, quality, customer, and SOP requirements in a manner to meet plant performance objectives.
• Understand all operational and regulatory requirements associated with the operation of HTST, HHST, UHT, and milk filling equipment to ensure compliance to the PMO, CFR, and plant SOPs.
• Operate batching equipment to standardize various fluid milk products, including addition of dry and liquid ingredients.
• Operate milk separators to produce daily skim milk and cream requirements.
• Perform daily CIPs, SIPs, AICs, cleaning and sanitizing of equipment, walls, floors, doors, ceilings, etc. as part of a Master Sanitation Program.
• Perform and document daily tasks as part of Plant Safety Program, Plant Quality Program, CIL Program (clean, inspect, lube), Autonomous Maintenance Program, Equipment Center-Lining Program, Defect Identification, and Preventative Maintenance Programs.
• Properly complete all documentation to meet regulatory requirements and plant SOPs.
• Perform all Operations Tech I, Operations Tech II, and Operations Tech III job requirements when required to do so due to company needs.
• Ensure yours, your team members’, and visitors’ safety by actively supporting and following all safety programs and SOPs as part of a “Zero Accident” commitment.
• Ensure full compliance to all regulatory, customer, and plant quality requirements as part of a “Perfect Quality” commitment.
• “Make it Better”. Constantly look for defects and opportunities for improvement throughout all parts of the plant operation and personally lead necessary efforts to “Make it Better”.
• Bring value to the Team and strengthen the Team through your job performance, treatment of your team members, and effective communication.
• Understand all performance criteria and operating results associated with your area of responsibility and constantly meet or exceed these requirements.
• Maintain Plant areas of responsibility to ensure an inspection and tour ready facility at all times.
• Actively contribute during Daily Shift/Direction Setting Meetings.
• Complete and document CILs (Clean, Inspect, Lube), master sanitation tasks, quality checks, PMs (preventative maintenance tasks), and perform required maintenance on your equipment.
• Understand sources of waste and actively strive for “Zero Waste”.
• Support and enforce SQF / QA, GMP, Safety policies and procedures, and production needs. “Food Safety and Quality” are the responsibilities of this position.
• This schedule will rotate between days and nights based on business needs and operational requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)
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 the essential functions.

• Excellent written and verbal skills.
• Basic computational skills required.
• Must demonstrate good judgement when carrying out duties as assigned.

Education and/or Experience

• A high school diploma or General Education Degree (GED) is preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of experience or commensurate demonstrated ability to perform essential functions.

Language Skills
English is required as the written and spoken language.

Equipment
Personal protective equipment including, but not limited to hearing protection, bump caps, hair and beard nets, gloves, and safety glasses must be used in the performance of duties. Proper lifting techniques must be employed at all times.

Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The company will make reasonable accommodations that do not cause an undue hardship if such an accommodation enables individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

ADA/FEHA
The Company will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act.

EEO
The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Physical Demands
The physical requirements outlined here represent those necessary for successful performance of this position's core responsibilities. Upon request, the company will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these fundamental job duties, provided such accommodations do not create an undue burden on the organization.

• Sitting/Standing/Walking: Stands, walks and sits during completion of job responsibilities.
• Lifting/Carrying: Occasional lifting requirements as job demands. Must be able to lift a minimum of 40 lbs. on an occasional basis.
• Pushing/Pulling: Occasional pushing or pulling requirements.
• Bending/Stooping: Occasional bending and stooping requirements.
• Squatting/Kneeling/Crawling: Occasional kneeling or crawling requirements.
• Twisting/Turning: Ongoing twisting or turning requirements.
• Climbing/Balancing: Climbing and balancing is required during plant inspections, and other related job requirements.
• Reaching: Ongoing reaching requirements associated with job requirements.
• Grasping/Manipulating: Grasping and manipulating of papers, objects, and equipment will be required. Ability to keyboard for data input will be required on an ongoing basis.

Fraudulent Recruiting Scam Disclaimer
To all applicants: We take your safety and privacy seriously at California Dairies Inc. All job applicants are directed to apply only through the official career pages. Please be aware that our talent team will never ask for any form of payment, financial account details, or sensitive personal information such as social security numbers. If you receive any suspicious messages claiming to be from California Dairies Inc., please contact us at talent@californiadaires.com. U.S. residents can get more information from the FTC at https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/job-scams.

The pay range is listed below and represents a good faith estimate upon hire. The final offer will depend on factors such as the candidates experience, skills, and qualifications.