Wet Process Operator

Job DetailsJob Location: Valley Milk, LLC - Turlock, CA 95380Salary Range: $23.00 - $28.00 Hourly  Wet Process Operator (HTST Licensed) Location: Valley Milk, Turlock, CA Schedule: Full-Time | 12-Hour Rotating Shifts (2-2-3 Schedule) Join a Team That Produces Quality Every Day Valley Milk is seeking a skilled Wet Process Operator with a current HTST Operator License to join our production team. This position is responsible for operating and monitoring pasteurization and wet processing systems while ensuring the highest standards of food safety, product quality, and operational excellence. The ideal candidate has experience in dairy manufacturing, understands HTST processing principles, and is committed to maintaining a safe, efficient, and compliant operation. What You'll Do Operate HTST pasteurization equipment in accordance with regulatory requirements and company procedures. Monitor, control, and document all critical processing parameters, including temperatures, flow rates, pressures, and timing. Receive, standardize, blend, and transfer milk and dairy products throughout the production process. Perform start-up, shutdown, product changeovers, and CIP (Clean-in-Place) operations. Complete required HTST records, production documentation, and regulatory paperwork accurately. Monitor product quality and immediately report or respond to process deviations. Perform routine equipment inspections and identify maintenance concerns before failures occur. Coordinate with Production, Quality Assurance, Maintenance, and Receiving departments to maintain production schedules. Troubleshoot process upsets while maintaining product integrity and food safety. Follow all GMP, HACCP, Food Safety, OSHA, and company safety requirements. Maintain excellent housekeeping and sanitation throughout the work area. Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, efficiency, and waste reduction. Required Qualifications Current HTST Operator License (Required) High school diploma or GED. Minimum 2 years of experience operating HTST or similar dairy processing equipment. Experience in dairy, food, beverage, or aseptic manufacturing. Strong understanding of: HTST pasteurization systems Dairy processing operations CIP systems Food safety and sanitation practices GMPs and HACCP principles Ability to read and interpret process flow diagrams, operating procedures, and production documentation. Basic computer skills for production reporting and documentation. Strong troubleshooting and critical thinking skills. Excellent communication and teamwork abilities. Ability to work a rotating 12-hour schedule, weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed. Preferred Qualifications Previous experience in milk powder or dairy ingredient manufacturing. Experience operating PLC/HMI-controlled processing equipment. Knowledge of evaporators, separators, homogenizers, and milk standardization systems. Forklift certification (or ability to obtain). Experience working in a SQF, BRC, or other GFSI-certified manufacturing facility. Physical Requirements Frequently stand, walk, bend, climb stairs and ladders, and work on elevated platforms. Lift and carry up to 50 pounds. Work in wet, humid, hot, and cold manufacturing environments. Wear required PPE, including hearing protection, safety glasses, gloves, and protective footwear. Ability to distinguish colors, alarms, gauges, and process indicators. Ability to work around moving mechanical equipment and food processing systems safely. Why Valley Milk? At Valley Milk, we produce high-quality dairy ingredients while investing in our people. We offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, opportunities for advancement, and a culture built on safety, teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement. If you are a licensed HTST Operator looking to grow your career in a state-of-the-art dairy manufacturing facility, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today and become part of the team producing world-class dairy products at Valley Milk. If you're creating a career ladder like we've discussed, I can also create Wet Process Operator I, II, III, IV, and V job descriptions with progressively increasing responsibilities, qualifications, skill requirements, and pay progression to support your operator development program. QualificationsRequired Qualifications Current HTST Operator License (Required) High school diploma or GED. Minimum 2 years of experience operating HTST or similar dairy processing equipment. Experience in dairy, food, beverage, or aseptic manufacturing. Strong understanding of: HTST pasteurization systems Dairy processing operations CIP systems Food safety and sanitation practices GMPs and HACCP principles Ability to read and interpret process flow diagrams, operating procedures, and production documentation. Basic computer skills for production reporting and documentation. Strong troubleshooting and critical thinking skills. Excellent communication and teamwork abilities. Ability to work a rotating 12-hour schedule, weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed.   Preferred Qualifications Previous experience in milk powder or dairy ingredient manufacturing. Experience operating PLC/HMI-controlled processing equipment. Knowledge of evaporators, separators, homogenizers, and milk standardization systems. Forklift certification (or ability to obtain). Physical Requirements Frequently stand, walk, bend, climb stairs and ladders, and work on elevated platforms. Lift and carry up to 50 pounds. Work in wet, humid, hot, and cold manufacturing environments. Wear required PPE, including hearing protection, safety glasses, gloves, and protective footwear. Ability to distinguish colors, alarms, gauges, and process indicators. Ability to work around moving mechanical equipment and food processing systems safely. Why Valley Milk? At Valley Milk, we produce high-quality dairy ingredients while investing in our people. We offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, opportunities for advancement, and a culture built on safety, teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement. If you are a licensed HTST Operator looking to grow your career in a state-of-the-art dairy manufacturing facility, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today and become part of the team producing world-class dairy products at Valley Milk.