The Bel Group is a major player in the food industry through portions of dairy, fruit and plant-based products, and one of the world leaders in branded cheeses. Its portfolio of differentiated and internationally recognized brands includes The Laughing Cow®, Kiri®, Babybel®, Boursin®, Nurishh®, Pom’Potes®, and GoGo squeeZ®, as well as some 30 local brands. Together, these brands helped the Group generate sales of €3.6 billion in 2022.

Some 11,800 employees in some 60 subsidiaries around the world contribute to the deployment of the Group's mission to champion healthier and responsible food for all. Bel products are prepared at 29 production sites and distributed in more than 120 countries.

Bel is seeking enthusiastic, accountable people to join our hourly manufacturing team in Brookings, SD. 

At Bel, Safety is our number one priority, and all our team members act as safety leaders in all responsibilities. 

Our Team members support each other with teamwork while continuously improving our business goals.

Bel has an in-depth training program and provides opportunity for advancement!

New team members are eligible for medical, dental, vision, and wellness reimbursements immediately, as well as generous paid time off program.

Job Description Summary

The Raw Materials Operator is responsible for milk receiving, milk standardization, whey treatment, and product load out.  The operator sets-up, adjusts, and operates a series of equipment and tanks needed for the cheese making process.  The operator is also responsible for cleaning, sanitizing, disassembly, and reassembly as scheduled and needed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Receive, test, and unload milk from trucks.

• Load out liquid product, and fill out required paperwork for each load.

• Use test results and formulas to calculate and standardize milk to be used in cheese production.

• Start-up and operate different types of equipment such as separators, pasteurizers, and filtration equipment.

• Operate equipment and tanks for whey treatment.

• Run machines during production, and make adjustments when needed.

• Pull samples for quality testing.

• Record keeping throughout the day.

• Maintain a clean working area during production.

• Work closely with Vat Operator to ensure a constant and consistent product flow to the cheese make area, as well as a constant flow of whey to the whey treatment process.

• Comply with all quality, safety, and work-rule requirements.

• Perform other miscellaneous duties as assigned by management.

• Follows all Good Manufacturing Practices as stated within the policy
• Follows all Safety rules & procedures by working safely and ensuring safety of others
• Follows all food safety procedures
• Follows all environmental protocols as applicable
• Follows all sanitation procedures and work instructions
• Performs other miscellaneous duties as assigned

Qualifications and Competencies

Minimum education and experience required:

• Requires equivalent of a High School Diploma.
• Ability to understand oral and written instructions relating to the operation.
• Ability to function as a team member and contribute to group goals.
• Ability to operate a variety of equipment such as simple hand tools and hand-powered hydraulic material handling devices. 

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and use hands to finger, handle or touch objects or controls. The employee is occasionally required to talk and/or hear, reach above shoulders, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds.

Specific vision requirements of this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

The employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts and in wet, humid conditions, and in proximity to cleaning chemicals, fumes, and air-born particles.  The employee is occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals, and sources of vibration.

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

Protective Equipment:

Employees must wear personal protective equipment as required which could include a hair and beard net, rubber boots, and ear protection.