Production & Intake Operator - 1st Shift

Hours & Shift

First shift, Monday - Thursday, four 10‑hour shifts, 5AM - 3:30 PM. Please note that this plan may evolve as we continue to grow and adapt the Chilton start-up location.

Pay Range & Growth Opportunity

Pay Starting at $25.70/hour

Grande operates under a High-Performance Work Team (HPWT) model; an Associate (employee)-led approach focused on continuous growth, collaboration, and operational excellence. Through our Skill Block system, Associates are placed and progress based on their demonstrated knowledge and abilities, with clear pathways for advancement offering opportunity to grow your skills and responsibilities as you develop within the team.

Experience We Value

Candidates with experience in the following areas are strongly encouraged to apply:

• Milk Receiving
• Raw Milk Intake Operations
• Milk Tanker Unloading
• Bulk Liquid Transfer Systems
• Yard Horse / Yard Truck Operation
• Terminal Tractor Operation
• Trailer Spotting and Dock Management
• Dairy Processing
• Food Manufacturing
• Agricultural or Dairy Logistics

Be Part of Something New at Grande

Grande is hiring for our brand-new, state-of-the-art dairy manufacturing facility in Chilton, WI. This is a unique opportunity to join a start-up operation backed by an industry-leading company and help establish the foundation of a world-class dairy production facility.

If you have experience with milk receiving, tanker unloading, yard horse driving, dairy intake systems, bulk liquid transfers, or dairy processing operations , this role offers an exciting opportunity to put those skills to work while advancing your career.

As a 1st Shift Production & Intake Operator , you'll play a critical role in ensuring the safe and efficient receipt, movement, and processing of milk and dairy ingredients. You'll operate dairy intake equipment, monitor production systems, perform quality checks, troubleshoot equipment issues, and support continuous improvement initiatives that drive operational excellence.

What You'll Do

• Receive and unload milk tankers while ensuring product quality and food safety standards are met.
• Move and position trailers using yard horse equipment to support receiving and production operations.
• Operate and monitor dairy intake, transfer, and processing equipment.
• Conduct quality inspections, sampling, and testing to ensure product specifications are achieved.
• Troubleshoot equipment and process issues to minimize downtime and maintain efficient operations.
• Utilize computer systems for production monitoring, inventory tracking, and documentation.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives including Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Kaizen, and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM).
• Maintain compliance with FDA, USDA, OSHA, and food safety requirements.
• Collaborate with teammates to establish best practices and build a high-performing operation.
• Develop versatility by cross-training across multiple production and receiving functions, helping ensure efficient and uninterrupted plant operations.

Why This Role Is Different

• Work in a state-of-the-art, highly automated dairy manufacturing facility.
• Play an important role in milk receiving and dairy intake operations.
• Be part of the team building a new facility and shaping operational processes.
• Enjoy a consistent four-day workweek with three-day weekends.
• Grow your skills through cross-training, development, and advancement opportunities.

What You Need to Be Considered

• High School Diploma or GED.
• 1-4 years of experience in manufacturing, dairy processing, food production, milk receiving, logistics, warehouse, transportation, or similar industrial environments.
• Experience operating, monitoring, or troubleshooting dairy intake, bulk liquid transfer, or receiving equipment.
• Ability to safely operate equipment and follow established procedures.
• Basic understanding of mechanical systems and production equipment.
• Computer proficiency for data entry, process monitoring, and documentation.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented manufacturing environment and adapt to changing priorities within a start-up environment.
• Strong attention to detail, food safety, and product quality.
• Commitment to workplace safety and operational excellence.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with milk receiving, tanker unloading, dairy intake operations, or bulk ingredient handling.
• Experience operating a yard horse, yard truck, terminal tractor, or similar equipment.
• Previous dairy processing or food manufacturing experience.
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing principles and high-performance work teams.
• Technical training or certifications related to dairy processing, food technology, manufacturing, transportation, or industrial operations.

Physical Demands and Work Conditions:

This role requires the ability to regularly lift and move objects weighing between 20–50 lbs , as well as frequent walking, standing, bending, climbing, and exposure to vibration. The work environment may involve exposure to extreme temperatures (both hot and cold), high humidity, and loud machinery.

Why Grande?

With more than 80 years of crafting “The Finest Italian Cheeses Money Can Buy”, Grande is a leader in the industry! Whether partnering with independent pizzerias from coast-to-coast to ensure they’re delivering the very best pizza to their customers or assisting our food manufacturing partners in delivering specialty whey ingredient solutions, our commitment to quality can’t be matched. While Grande’s reputation of excellence in the market is important, we believe our commitment to our workplace and community culture is of equal merit – our Associates come first at Grande. To complement our industry-leading benefits, Grande puts an emphasis on your career growth opportunities, while always promoting a positive work/life balance and supporting the communities in which we live and work. If you want to learn more about our company – what we do and how we go about it – or learn more about our beautiful, state-of-the-art corporate headquarters, visit

Did we convince you yet? If not, check out our unique benefits

• Low-cost onsite clinics.
• Free onsite fitness center.
• Free healthy snacks throughout the facility.
• Health and wellness reimbursement program.
• Associate cheese purchasing program.
• Two-year mentorship program.
• Paid Parental Leave
• Check out our full benefits offerings by visiting

Why Chilton?

Located in the heart of Calumet County, Chilton blends small-town charm with big opportunity. With a cost of living 5% below the Wisconsin average and housing prices well below national levels, it’s an affordable and attractive place to live, work, and grow your career. Known for its safety, welcoming community, and strong local values, Chilton offers an ideal environment for those seeking to unwind, recharge, and embrace a relaxed and balanced lifestyle.

Chilton also features easy access to parks and outdoor recreation, a walkable downtown with local dining and entertainment, and annual festivals that celebrate the area’s local culture and community spirit. As the proud home of Grande’s newest start-up location, Chilton presents a unique opportunity to be part of something new and impactful, joining an organization dedicated to professional excellence, enriching the lives of our Associates (employees), and fulfilling “a purpose greater than ourselves”.

Bring Your Dairy Receiving Experience to Grande

Whether you've worked in milk receiving, tanker operations, yard management, dairy processing, transportation, or food manufacturing , this is an opportunity to leverage your experience in a growing facility where your contributions will make an immediate impact. Join Grande and help build the future of dairy manufacturing in Chilton.