New

Cheese Vat Operator - Days

Leprino Foods
$28.92 / hr
sick time, tuition assistance, 401(k)
United States, New York, Waverly
400 Leprino Avenue (Show on map)
Mar 02, 2026
Leprino Foods' history dates back over 65 years, when Jim Leprino first started making small batches of mozzarella for local markets and eateries in the Little Italy neighborhood of Denver. We've grown a bit since then. Today, Leprino is the largest manufacturer of mozzarella and lactose in the world, and a leading producer of whey protein. Still owned by the Leprino family, our sights are set to be the "World's Best Dairy Food and Ingredient Company." To help us achieve that daring vision, we're looking for our secret ingredient: You. A motivated individual who is the best at what you do. Three people in a small corner grocery store in the early 1950s have now grown to over 4,300 employees throughout 16 global locations. Will you join us on our journey? We Offer You In Return: At Leprino Foods, starting compensation for this role is $28.92 per hour. A chance to be part of a global team of individuals passionate about producing and delivering high-quality products that help feed and nourish families around the world. Leprino Foods could not be where it is today without our incredible employees. That is why we share in our success together by rewarding you for your hard work. Hiring great people who are in it for the long run is our goal. Through competitive salaries, tuition assistance, vacation, holiday, dedicated sick time, matching 401(k), annual merit increases and bonuses, as well as our annual Profit-Sharing plan. Your impact will be noticed and rewarded, as you seek to further our company, our customers, and one another Job Description: The Vat Operatoris responsible forthe safe operation of the Vats. All other duties as assigned. Schedule: Leprino Foods is a 24/7 operating facility, and the employee must be willing and able to work days or nights. Our schedules run 12 hours on a 2-2-3 rotation that allows for every other weekend off. This position is a day shift 6am-6:30pm After training is complete, new hires will be assigned a regular schedule on the next available shift. Pay Rate: $28.92 per hour $0.75 Evening Pay Differential for every evening hour worked between 6:00pm-6:00am $1.00 Weekend Pay Differential for every hour worked Saturday & Sunday Core Duties: Take accurate temperature and pH readings of each vat. Verify that all ingredients have been added to each vat. Verify that all vats are on time and progressing through the make process as planned. Complete paperwork accurately and timely. Know and understand the normal operational readings for all data recorded and actions to be taken if outside normal operations. Navigate through SAP system to review inventory in their storage location. The Vat Operator will be required to know and understand the normal operational parameters of all data documented on the operation log and what actions to be taken if outside the normal operations. The person is also required to know and understand the process flow for each operation. Complete Start Up / Shut Down check lists, operational inspections, Sanitation/CIP - Record CIP Titrations The Vat Operator is responsible for the safe operation of the associated equipment and/or processes, the quality of incoming raw materials, the quality of the outgoing products in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and safe work practices. This position is also responsible for participating in and implementing continuous improvement. The Vat Operator must be able to communicate effectively in relaying information to team members, team leads, supervisors, and managers as applicable. The person must have strong time management and organizational skills. In addition, the person must be mechanically inclined. The Vat Operator must be able to understand the requirements of the position and successfully demonstrate proficiency in the job specific PSOP Job Certification. Quality: This position is responsible and accountable to ensure product meets food safety, regulatory, and quality requirements by following the Food Safety Plan, Quality Plan, and company policies. Document all information accurately and timely in the MES system. Sanitation: Properly cleanand sanitize all equipment following good manufacturing practices as required by company procedures,maintainhousekeeping in area andcompleting eMSSdaily. Safety: Perform work in a safe manner byfollowing safetyprocedures and policies, critical safety rules, and expected standard conduct. Minimum Qualifications & Experience: Must be 18 years old Must be able to speak, read, write, andcomprehendbasic English language Ability to evaluate andidentifymechanical conditions andmake adjustmentsor corrective action asnecessary Ability to access elevated work areas such as climbing ladders/stairs Basic math skills to be able to perform mathematical functions Ability to understand and apply standard operating procedures Ability tomaintainclean work area according to good manufacturing processes Good communicationskills to communicate with co-workers and oncoming/outgoing shifts PreferredQualifications & Experience: Two years of work experienceoperatingand troubleshooting machinery in a manufacturing environment and experience with HMIs are preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities/Competencies: Problem Solving Applied and continuous learning Work standards Initiating action Quality orientation Safety awareness Working effectively with others Communication Working Relationships: This position reports to the Cheese Production Supervisor. No employees report to the position. Physical/Mental Requirements and Work Environment: The Vat Operator must have the ability to: perform essential job functions which may include accessing elevated work areas such as climbing ladders/stairs; evaluate and identify mechanical conditions and make adjustments or corrective action as necessary; wear required personal protective equipment; work in hot, humid, and cold areas; comply with all applicable safety practices; complete written reports; perform basic mathematical calculations; enter data into and pull data from computer systems. The Waverly plant is a 24 hour; 7 day a week operation which requires the Vat Operator to work 12 hour shifts to include days, nights, and weekends. The Vat Operator must be able to meet these shift requirements. This position requires the incumbent to work on site at the facility to be able to perform the associated job responsibilities. Additional: The Vat Operator must be able to work overtime and holidays when required. Leprino Foods Company utilizes the services of Psychemedics to perform our Hair Follicle Drug Testing. Additional information about this process can be obtained atwww.psychemedics.com Leprino uses Psychemedics for a 90-day hair follicle drug test as part of the employee pre-employment process and also participates in E-Verify. All employees in our manufacturing facilities are required to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as mandated by their role and location.