Technician III, Operations

8801 Gosford Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93313, USA

Posted Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 10:00 AM

Join the California Dairies, Inc. (CDI) team, a farmer‑owned cooperative dedicated to sustainably producing the highest quality dairy products while fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. CDI products are delivered locally and around the world. Our state‑of‑the‑art Extended Shelf Life (ESL) and Aseptic Ultra High Temperature (UHT) dairy bottling facility, Valley Natural Beverages, produces premium beverages in various formats, and these shelf‑stable products are shipped globally.

We encourage you to be part of our team that is shaping the future of dairy, right from the heart of California!

We believe in valuing our team with a total rewards package that goes beyond the basics. You'll find we offer competitive pay and incentive programs designed to recognize and reward your contributions. Competitive medical,dental, and vision benefits, generous paid time off, sick days & holidays, retirement plans designed to secure your future. We also cultivated a variety of valuable programs focused on your personal well-being and professional growth, ensuring you have the support you need to both inside and outside of work.

The Operations Technician III must be the most technically proficient member of the operations team and as such must have a high working knowledge of raw milk receiving, separation, batching, processing (HTST, HHST, UHT), filling, CIP, and packaging of ESL and Shelf Stable bottled milk products. Operations Technicians III are primarily responsible for standardizing products via a batching/blending system or an inline blending system and further processing the standardized product by means of HHST or UHT processing.

Operations Technicians III will perform and document safety, quality, regulatory, maintenance, and sanitation activities as part of this role. Operations Technicians III can and will be called upon to support other plant activities and perform other plant duties.

• Effectively operate HTST, HHSTs, UHTs, and other plant equipment in accordance with all plant safety, regulatory, quality, customer, and SOP requirements in a manner to meet plant performance objectives.
• Understand all operational and regulatory requirements associated with the operation of HTST, HHST, and UHT pasteurizing systems to ensure compliance to the PMO, CFR, and plant SOPs.
• Operate filling and packaging equipment used in the manufacture of low acid ESL and Shelf Stable dairy products.
• Operate batching equipment to standardize various fluid milk products, including addition of dry and liquid ingredients.
• Operate milk separators to produce daily skim milk and cream requirements.
• Perform daily CIPs, SIPs, AICs, cleaning and sanitizing of equipment, walls, floors, doors, ceilings, etc. as part of a Master Sanitation Program.
• Perform and document daily tasks as part of Plant Safety Program, Plant Quality Program, CIL Program (clean, inspect, lube), Autonomous Maintenance Program, Equipment Center‑Lining Program, Defect Identification, and Preventative Maintenance Programs.
• Properly complete all documentation to meet regulatory requirements and plant SOPs.
• Perform all Operations Tech I and Operations Tech II job requirements when required to do so due to company needs.
• Ensure yours, your team members’, and all visitors’ safety by actively supporting and following all safety programs as part of a “Zero Accident” commitment.
• Ensure full compliance to all regulatory, customer, and plant quality requirements as part of a “Perfect Quality” commitment.
• “Make it Better”. Constantly look for defects and opportunities for improvement throughout all parts of the plant operation and personally lead necessary efforts to “Make it Better”.
• Bring value to the Team and strengthen the Team through your job performance, treatment of your team members, and effective communication.
• Understand all performance criteria and operating results associated with your area of responsibility and constantly meet or exceed these requirements.
• Maintain Plant areas of responsibility to ensure an inspection and tour…