Food Processing Technician — Dairy Production Technician

Working/Functional Title

Food Processing Technician

Position Summary

Michigan State University Extension Is Committed To Fostering a Welcoming And Collaborative Environment, Which Requires All Staff To Contribute Toward a Vision For Success Regardless Of Title Or Position Within The Organization. We Strive To Create a Positive Culture, Access To Resources, And a Sense Of Belonging For Staff, Partners, And Programming Participants. This Means That All Staff At MSU Extension Are Dedicated To The Following

• We work together to ensure that programming is available to all audiences, creates meaningful and positive impacts for participants, and demonstrates partnership and collaboration across communities.
• We understand that a welcoming and respectful environment is built through the efforts of everyone.
• We foster an environment that welcomes a broad range of perspectives and experiences, ensuring that all individuals have the opportunity to contribute and thrive.
• We ensure that every team member is prepared with the skills and resources to contribute to our welcoming and supportive culture.
• We foster an environment that values a range of perspectives, skills, and experiences by working to ensure access to programming for communities.
• We commit to continuous learning and engagement to better serve Michigan residents and meet the evolving needs of communities.
• We recognize that broad accessibility and collaboration are essential elements of our work and are vital to organizational and programmatic success.
• We embrace a culture of understanding, coaching, and feedback toward achieving a vision of success for the entire organization and its staff.
• Together we will achieve success, and we commit to these goals in our work, continued education, and ongoing efforts.

Assist in the production of processed food products at the MSU Dairy Foods Complex and the MSU Food Processing and Innovation Center.

As part of MSU Extension (MSUE), and the Community, Food and Environment Institute, this position supports operations in the Dairy Foods Complex and the Food Processing and Innovation Center (FPIC) at Michigan State University. The Food Processing Technician will support day-to-day operations by performing production, processing, and sanitation activities associated with food manufacturing. This position operates and monitors processing equipment, ensures compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and applicable state and federal regulations, and contributes to maintaining product quality, safety, and efficiency in a food-grade production environment.

Your role requires hands-on work in a fast-paced manufacturing setting, including exposure to wet, cold, and variable-temperature environments. Through your problem-solving ability in a production environment, you will work to set up, clean, and sanitize processing and packaging equipment in compliance with sanitation standard operating procedures (SSOPs), conduct basic troubleshooting and report equipment malfunctions to supervisors or maintenance personnel and assist in preventive maintenance activities and changeovers.

You will be responsible for following procedures in production and processing which includes, operate, monitor, and adjust processing equipment (e.g., pasteurizers, homogenizers, fillers, packaging systems), perform batching, ingredient handling, and product processing according to established formulations and production schedules, support production runs, and accurately record production data, batch logs, as well as, equipment performance metrics.

In addition, your strong attention to detail and commitment to compliance will ensure the quality and food safety that follows the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), sanitation…