JOB SUMMARY:

The summer intern is provided the opportunity to travel to the farm, and gain hands on experience following the flow of milk thru the manufacturing facility. The intern will gain a variety of knowledge including receiving in raw milk, learning testing methods in a certified lab, dairy production, sanitation, and shipping of finished product.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as management may deem necessary from time to time.

The intern will learn what it’s like to supervise in a food manufacturing facility. You will receive the opportunity to follow, learn and work with our leadership team to gain hands on experience in the following areas:

• Field Service:
  • Travel to the farm and meet the dairymen/women to understand our producer base.
  • Promotes AMPI’s goals, missions and operations to the dairy community.
  • Assist to solicit new membership to the cooperative.
  • Learn and assist with milk accountability program in assigned area.
  • Interact with milk haulers in assigned area.

• Shipping & Receiving:
  • Observe and learn the shipping and receiving of product.
  • Learn the operation of the receiving intake bay by unloading of raw milk from route trucks and test incoming milk for titratable acidity, antibiotic, temperature and aroma.
  • Understand the proper lab testing procedures for cheese, whey, cream, powder and milk.
  • Interns are provided the written standard operating procedures, trained and expected to follow all proper procedures.

• Production:
  • Understanding the operation of cheese vats, DMC, tables, packaging line and the milk pasteurizer in the cheese department.
  • Education on the operation of RO, evaporator, UF, separators and fine savers, ensuring proper technique, principles, and procedures in the whey department.
  • Learn how to make quality cheese and whey products adhering to customer specifications and standard of identity requirements.
  • Participates in staff planning and process improvements.
  • Acquire current knowledge and understanding of regulations, industry trends, current practices, new developments and applicable laws related to production in a dairy manufacturing environment.
  • Responsible to report food safety problems to personnel with authority to initiate action.

• Quality & Lab:
  • Learn and assist with proper lab testing procedures and quality inspections.
  • Understand and adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices.
  • Learn to anticipate, trouble shoot and resolve problems with GMPs and/or sanitation quickly.
  • Perform documentation review and inspection of materials, packaging and finished product.
  • Learn how to collect samples for equipment, environmental and in-process monitoring.
  • Actively meet and speak with quality employees to learn various aspects and responsibilities of their jobs.

• Sanitation:
  • Participates in programs and procedures required to ensure plant’s master sanitation program.
  • Proper chemical usage, measurements and personal protective equipment is required.
  • Learn and assist with conducting pre-operational and routine sanitation inspections.

• Maintenance:
  • Opportunity to observe maintenance. Understand the work order system of priority and the impact on daily production. May learn to troubleshoot plant equipment or systems.
  • Assist with routine inspections of equipment.

• Safety, Health & Environmental:
  • Learns and assists with safety, health and environmental programs.
  • Works in a safe manner at all times and wears all required personal protective equipment to perform specified jobs.
  • Collects data to determine effectiveness of implemented process improvements.
  • Participates in safety committee meetings.
  • Assist safety coordinator with incident investigations and identify opportunities for improvement and lessons learned.
  • Conduct audits and inspections.
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• Human Relations:
  • Gains working relationships with leadership including teaching and coaching techniques.
  • Learn effective communication methods.
  • Gains understanding of company policy and procedures and learning to enforce them.

An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. The above list reflects the general details necessary to describe the principle and essential functions of the position and shall not be construed as the only duties that may be assigned for the position.

 REQUIRED COMPETENCIES:

The following are required competencies of the position that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job:

• Demonstrates attention to detail and accuracy in work.
• Independent learner and the ability to work with minimum supervision.
• Self-motivated and ability to motivate others to achieve desired outcomes.
• Demonstrates strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to multi-task and learn new skills quickly.
• Safety conscientious.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively at all levels in a collaborate team environment.
• Ability to effectively present information.
• Must have the ability to learn and work effectively with the plant’s English touch screen system.
• Proficiency with basic computer operations including Microsoft Office.
• Must be punctual and timely in meeting all requirements of performance, including but not limited to, attendance standards and work deadlines.
• Must maintain courteous, professional and effective working relationships with employees at all levels of the organization. Employee must work in a strong team environment as well as work well independently.
• Must be able to communicate information both verbal and written and state problems or challenges to be resolved in a clear, concise, courteous, nondiscriminatory and professional manner and be able to provide clarification as necessary.
• Must be capable of adapting, with minimal or no advance notice, to changes in how business is conducted and work is accomplished, with no diminishment in work performance.

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE:

• High School Diploma/GED
• Currently enrolled in an Associate, Bachelor, or Master’s program with an interest in expanding knowledge in the food manufacturing industry.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS MENTAL DEMANDS:

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Office – Work is performed in a general office environment with low to moderate noise exposure.  May on occasion be exposed to loud sounds and distracting noise levels, such as from office equipment.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch; talk or hear; taste or smell. The majority of the time is spent seated at a work station with access to telephone, computer, printer, files, and reference materials.  Requires frequent verbal communication either in person, by telephone or by use of online interactive communication, to interact with vendors, suppliers, and consultants.  Requires frequent written communication by requiring frequent typing and writing.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Manufacturing – Work is performed in a manufacturing plant. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee will frequently have to walk and stand. The employee should have the ability to regularly lift up to 55lbs.  The employee must be able to push and pull up to 75lbs. Must be able to climb ladders and work at elevations above 4 feet. Employees are regularly exposed to cold temperatures when performing tasks in storage areas. Employees are regularly exposed to warm or hot temperatures with moderate to high humidity levels varying based on the location of the work area. The employee is regularly exposed to wet walking surfaces. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Office - This job operates in a professional office environment. Employees will work face-to-face with others on a daily basis.  Some may share office space. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is rarely exposed to outside weather conditions and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually low. May on occasion be exposed to loud sounds and distracting noise levels, such as from office equipment.  The employee may be exposed to very low levels of ammonia.

Manufacturing - Employee is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock, wet work conditions, fumes or airborne particles. Employee is occasionally exposed to warm conditions with regular exposure to temperature conditions in excess of 100*F or cold temperatures when working in cold storage areas. The employee is regularly exposed to work near moving mechanical parts. Employee is regularly exposed to chemicals during sanitation processes. The noise level in the work environment is occasionally at a high level. The employee is not routinely exposed to weather conditions. The employee may be exposed to very low levels of ammonia.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Personal protective equipment is required depending on the job being performed, including protective eye wear, or face shields, hearing protection, hair and beard nets, uniforms and footwear. Additional equipment is required when working with chemicals, such as rubber gloves and use of chemical proof aprons as appropriate for the job being performed.

Associated Milk Producers Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.