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.

Come grow with us and Be You. Be Ambitious. Be Bel.

Job Description Summary

The Process Sanitation Machine Operator is responsible for cleaning, inspecting, and sanitizing all the equipment and parts thoroughly for the next production shift. They are also responsible for stocking and maintaining a clean production area along with operating these machines as assigned by their Supervisors.

Essential Functions

• Ability to effectively communicate with all personnel
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions relating to the operation
• 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 tasks and responsibilities of the job.

• Ability to stand, walk, and use hands to finger in order to handle objects and controls
• Ability to reach above shoulders, stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl
• Ability to navigate stairs and ladders throughout the facility
• Ability to operate manual material handling equipment
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 40 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds

• Ability to push and/or pull material handling equipment up to a 1500 pound load

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

Bel Brands will provide reasonable accommodations to allow an employee to perform the essential functions of the job.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Complete an inspection of the production floor at the beginning of the shift to ensure cleanliness and maintain cleanliness throughout the shift
• Clean and sanitize molder machine, pressing room, de-lidding machine, and acidification room
• Clean and sanitize floors, walls, belts, and pulleys
• Clean and sanitize tables, chairs, stools, bowls, and pans
• Clean the demolding machine, tumblers, table, conveyors, and floors in the brining room
• Clean and sanitize floors, walls, and conveyors from demolding machine to the back side of the washer
• Clean and sanitize wash machine
• Clean and sanitize all tools and hoses throughout the production area
• Clean and sanitize drains
• Disassemble, clean, and sanitize wax conveyor and reassemble for production

• Clean and stock air lock rooms
• Clean and fill foot foamers and check concentrations
• Assist with melting wax
• Help change out lids and cups
• Collect and dispose of trash throughout Zone A
• Sweep, mop, and make mop water as required
• Operate floor scrubber
• Wash cubbies, benches, and walls
• Maintain basic production documentation throughout the day
• Perform general equipment and quality checks
• Assist in other areas around the plant as needed
• Follow all Good Manufacturing Practices as stated within the policy
• Follow all safety rules & procedures by working safely and ensuring the safety of others
• Follow all food safety procedures
• Follow all environmental protocols as applicable
• Follow all sanitation procedures and work instructions
• Perform other miscellaneous duties as assigned

• Collect Tomes from Zone A
• Follow the recipe for making Tomes by operating a variety of equipment such as the fines saver, mixer, press, metal detector, and vacuum sealer
• Empty fine saver as needed
• Work closely with Molder Machine Operator to ensure a constant flow of clean molds and lids to the molding machine
• Work closely with Brining-Demolding-Tumbler Operator to ensure a constant flow of quality product
• Work closely with Wash Machine Operator to ensure a constant flow of lids feeding the washing machine
• Work closely with Molder Machine Operator to ensure a constant flow of quality product to the pressing benches
• Run and monitor washing machine during production and make adjustments when needed
• Pull samples of washing solution to ensure correct chemical concentrations are being used
• Move racks using hydraulic/motorized hand pallet jack and label racks
• Pull declass cheese from the Brine River
• Monitor machine during production and make adjustments when needed
• Check temperature and humidity levels throughout the press and acidification room
• Pull samples for quality testing
• Monitor the demolding, brine, and tumbler equipment during production and make adjustments when needed
• Monitor brining filters and suction cups hourly
• Maintain detailed documentation and validation of multiple records throughout the day
• Verify the correct weights of pallets and label for delivery
• Weigh and label totes for shipment
• Maintain a clean working area during production and assist with clean up and sanitizing in other areas of production as needed
• Sanitize all equipment between uses

As needed, Bel Brands will provide specific training in order for employees to safely perform the tasks and responsibilities of the job.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

• High School Diploma and/or equivalent experience preferred
• 1+ years of experience in process cleaning and chemical handling preferred

Specific Competencies

• Function as a team member and contribute to group goals
• Work independently with minimum supervision in a responsible manner

• Maintain the integrity of confidential business and product information
• Take initiative to recognize areas of opportunity and resolve with appropriate action
• Maintain Bel’s standards of quality by demonstrating the ability to consistently deliver accurate results in a timely manner so as not to cause unnecessary downtime
• Effectively apply knowledge to solve a range of problems in order to troubleshoot
• Effectively handle several problems and/or tasks at once

All requirements are subject to change over time and, if possible, for modifications to reasonably accommodate individuals with a disability.

Additional Information

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing tasks and responsibilities of the job.

The employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts in wet humid conditions, varying temperatures, 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 an assigned work uniform, hair and beard net, safety glasses, bump caps, designated shoes, and ear protection.

Additional equipment may be required to follow all safety rules and procedures by working safely and ensuring the safety others.