Machine Operator Nights - Rochester, MN

About the Role

Our Rochester, MN location is part of our Applied Health and Nutrition Division and specializes in fermented ingredients for products related to the bio‑science industry. The team is proud of the work they do and has a focus on clean label or natural products, ensuring freshness.

Responsible for receiving and pasteurizing liquid raw materials, CIP of silos and line circuits, monitoring equipment and sanitation and housekeeping. The work area includes the receiving area, control room, truck bay, flow plate and the silo area.

• Operating downstream of our hygienic fermentation process. Understand the process flow throughout the plant, timing, keeping on task and to schedule with multiple processes occurring lity to work under pressure and meet flexible changing priorities is a must.
• Operation of pasteurizers, evaporators and CIP units. Maintain documentation on pasteurizer chart recorders and MDA requirement. Troubleshoot problems with equipment and provide assistance or feedback to maintenance in the area when needed.
• Splitting fermentation media and performing a sanitary transfer to various fermentation and storage vessels including the site’s 14 silos and fermenters.
• Running the site’s two evaporators to precise setpoints of density, temperature, run rate and vacuum. Monitor equipment which will require climbing multiple levels of stairs during a shift and making flow plate connections with durable heavy transfer hoses.
• Document and oversee both incoming and outgoing trucks of raw materials for further processing.
• Keep in communication with the quality department monitoring ongoing processes, fermentations and addbacks. Fill out daily production and communication logs.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide whole numbers. Basic computer skills including email, spreadsheets and control systems such as SAP and Ifix.

• The physical demands of this position include the ability to walk and stand on a regular basis.
• Must climb stairs and ladders.
• The ability to reach, bend/stoop, crouch, squat, push/pull and manipulate is required.
• Must occasionally lift product from a variety of positions to 30 pounds. Is infrequently required to lift up to 55 pounds.
• Vision, reading and writing are required to perform this job.
• Talking and hearing are not essential functions of this position.
• The job is performed inside with some exposure to the outside. There is exposure to fumes, noise, and chemical agents. Hearing protection is required. On occasion there is close proximity to moving objects. The floor surface is concrete frequently wet in the silo area. The temperature is variable, based on the season and the tasks being performed.

The pay range for this position is $23.00 – $28.50 per hour. Kerry typically does not hire an individual at the top or near the top of the range, as we are a pay‑for‑performance company, and this range is set to continue to reward performance annually while in role. Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

The specific compensation offered to a candidate within the above range may be influenced by a variety of factors including skills, qualifications, experience, and internal equity.

Kerry offers a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, a 401(k) plan with employee and company contribution opportunities, Employee Share Plan, Life, disability, and accident insurance, and tuition reimbursement. This job posting is anticipated to expire on 5‑2026.

Kerry is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. Kerry will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditional upon the successful completion of a background investigation and drug screen.

Additional information can be found at Know Your Rights Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (dol.gov).