Land O'Lakes, Inc.

Production Operator

Posted on: 2 Jan 2026

Melrose, MN

Job Description

Shift & Working Hours: 4:45 AM to 5:15 PM; Weekends/Overtime/Holidays as needed. 

Sign on Bonus:?$1500 - $250 paid after 30 days of employment. $500 paid after 6 months of employment. $750 paid after 12 months of employment. 

In this role, you will be a key member of our Land O’Lakes, Inc. manufacturing team, performing front-line production processes that add value and quality to the inputs and creation of final high-quality products. You will gain skills and experience of taking raw materials to produce our final products for customers. This will include operating machinery and equipment, packaging the final product. Join our team to become part of a member-owned co-op that is Rooted In Tomorrow. 

As a Barrel Handling Operator responsibilities include sealing, labeling, handling, and storing cheese in the CM department. Performs auto-salter and barrel fill duties and rotates through key roles, including Closing/Sealer, Monorail Room, Cooler, and Auto-Salter.

This role is part of our Dairy Food business who creates dairy products that stand for real, simple goodness.?We believe there’s power in every drop of milk our farmers produce, and by improving production and finding innovative uses for that milk, we add a little good to people’s lives.

Key Responsibilities: 

Monitor overall barrel handling and closing process to maintain high quality and productivity standards.? Proficient in all phases of the job duties and responsibilities in closing, sealing and lotting of product. 

Complies with all safety processes and insists on safety practices of self and others 

Shows up on time, completes tasks by deadlines, and adapts to changes quickly 

Able to multi-task and keep up with production demands in a fast-paced environment 

Ensures all quality standards and standard operating procedures are followed during production process 

Maintains cleanliness and organization of work area 

Collaborates and follows the instructions of Leads and Management to accomplish daily work assignments 

Required Experience and Skills: 

Must be 18 years or older 

1 year or more of work experience in any industry 

Basic computer and math skills 

Able to read, write, comprehend, follow verbal and written instructions in English 

Willingness to learn new skills, problem-solve and troubleshoot 

Strong collaboration, communication skills, and is always respectful 

 Experience:  

1+ year of manufacturing work experience 

Prior high-speed, high-tech manufacturing experience 

Physical Requirements for production positions regularly include: 

Able to lift/carry up to 50 pounds 

Frequent movement including walking, standing, bending/stooping, turning, twisting, pushing, pulling, raising arms, lifting, climbing and other active movements 

Performing duties while wearing personal protective equipment 

Working in temperature zones that include cold and/or hot environments for extended periods and may include areas where dust and chemicals are present 

Required to work scheduled shift which may include weekends, some holidays, and periodic overtime 

 

Land O'Lakes, Inc.

Arden Hills, MN

Land O'Lakes, Inc. is a member-owned agricultural cooperative based in the Minneapolis-St. Paul suburb of Arden Hills, Minnesota, focusing on the dairy industry. The cooperative has 1,959 direct producer-members, 751 member-cooperatives, and about 10,000 employees who process and distribute products for about 300,000 agricultural producers; handling 12 billion pounds of milk annually. It is ranked third on the National Cooperative Bank Co-op 100 list of mutuals and cooperatives.

The co-op is one of the largest producers of butter and cheese in the United States through its dairy foods business; serves producers, animal owners and their families through more than 4,700 local cooperatives, independent dealers and other large retailers through its Purina Animal Nutrition business; and delivers seed, crop protection products, agricultural services and agronomic insights to 1,300 locally owned and operated cooperative and independent agricultural retailers and their grower customers through its WinField United business.