Job Description

Title: Milk Receiving

Classification/Job Grade: Hourly

Pay Scale: $21.63 - $29.75

Location: Battle Creek, MI

Department: Receiving

Supervised by: Supervisor

Job Summary

The Milk Receiver plays a critical role in ensuring the safe, efficient, and compliant receipt of raw milk and cream products used in dairy production. This position is responsible for inspecting, sampling, testing, documenting, unloading, and storing incoming milk shipments while adhering to all food safety, quality, sanitation, and regulatory requirements. The Milk Receiver must maintain accurate records, operate and monitor receiving equipment, ensure proper cleaning and sanitation of tankers and silos, and support overall plant operations. This position requires strong attention to detail, effective communication skills, the ability to work independently, and a commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Receive raw milk and dairy products in accordance with company, state, federal, quality, and food safety requirements.
• Inspect incoming tanker loads and verify documentation prior to unloading.
• Collect and maintain milk samples for required testing and quality verification.
• Ensure sample integrity through proper handling, storage, and documentation.
• Monitor silo capacity and confirm silos are properly drained and prepared prior to receiving products.
• Operate and monitor milk receiving, transfer, and storage equipment.
• Wash and sanitize milk tankers, silos, and receiving equipment using automated Clean-In-Place (CIP) systems.
• Verify and document chemical concentrations and CIP wash effectiveness.
• Accurately complete all receiving, sanitation, quality, and regulatory documentation.
• Maintain records related to milk receipts, silo usage, testing results, and sanitation activities.
• Load and unload trucks as required.
• Follow all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), food safety policies, quality requirements, and company policies.
• Identify, communicate, and escalate equipment, quality, safety, or operational concerns.
• Effectively prioritize work assignments to meet operational demands.
• Maintain a professional working relationship with team members, drivers, supervisors, and other departments.
• Demonstrate sound judgment, problem-solving ability, and effective decision-making skills.
• Support cross-functional plant operations as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Soft Skills

• Must be able to follow both verbal and written instructions.
• Coachable and willing to learn new processes, procedures, and equipment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with minimal supervision.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a team environment with people of varying skills and backgrounds.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and operational needs.
• Ability to maintain professionalism in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making skills.

Core Competencies

• Must be able to read, write, and communicate effectively in English.
• Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations accurately.
• Effective time management skills to achieve results through prioritization and organization.
• Demonstrates critical thinking and sound decision-making abilities.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Must demonstrate proficiency in essential job tasks and responsibilities.
• Analytical skills to interpret operational and production data.
• Strategic thinking and reporting skills to support operational needs.
• Strong communication skills for collaboration with drivers, team members, supervisors, quality personnel, and other departments.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining accountability and productivity.

Work Environment

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

• While performing duties of this role, the employee may be frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts and forklifts.
• The employee will occasionally be exposed to wet, humid, and cold conditions (non-weather related).
• The noise level in the work environment may be loud.
• Will be required to stand, walk, and sit for extended periods of time.
• Ability to work in varying temperatures and climates.
• Ability to lift, push, pull, and maneuver products weighing up to 50 pounds out of confined spaces and occasionally lift products overhead.
• Ability to stand, kneel, climb ladders, and perform other physical requirements as needed.
• Work may require weekends, holidays, overtime, and varying shifts based on operational needs.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to frequently climb stairs and access elevated work areas.
• Must be able to stand, walk, bend, kneel, squat, reach, and perform repetitive motions throughout the workday.
• Ability to lift, push, pull, and maneuver products and materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to occasionally lift materials overhead.
• Ability to work safely in confined spaces and around production equipment.
• Ability to climb ladders and access equipment as necessary.
• Must be able to wear all required personal protective equipment (PPE).

About Prairie Farms

"Farmer Owned. Locally Produced. Since 1938."

Prairie Farms Dairy is a farmer-owned cooperative operated by more than 800 farm families dedicated to producing nutritious, high-quality dairy products. Since 1938, Prairie Farms has represented American agriculture and remains committed to supporting local communities, employees, customers, and farm families through quality products and responsible business practices.

Our Mission

• To produce dairy products of the highest quality.
• To conduct our business with professional integrity.
• To exceed expectations of our customers and consumers.
• To support our communities in a positive, sustainable manner.
• To deliver exceptional patronage to our network of farm families.
• To simply "do right" for our farm families, employees, and communities.

Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.