operator

packaging operator

forklift operator

plant operator

sanitation worker

Hilmar Cheese Company

As a production supervisor I would start my day by assigning my direct reports to their positions in the operation for the day. This was usually 14 to 20 employees and spanned Cheese make, all the way through final packaging. Then I would spend my very jam-packed day (a good thing, as the hours flew by) completing checklist of the process and working with maintenance personnel to ensure equipment was repaired as critically applicable. On the night shift, you were the person, the one everyone came to for anything they might need and during the day you had a small support staff that could assist you when urgently needed. I would also provide oncoming crews with all the relevant information they might need for a shift, such as this has broken down, so we will have to move product around it. I prepared the facility for external and internal audits with my team of employees and dealt with tough staffing situations and Human Resource concerns as they arose.

I learned a great deal about how to manage a shift of employees that were sometimes younger than I, but more often than not much older. I learned a lot about employee relations and how to deal with delicate situations in the work place.

I worked closely with a very top notch management team and I was able to learn a lot from them, through their coaching. I also had the extreme pleasure of working with some of the most skilled and professional people I have ever met, my co-workers were amazing people who taught me a lot.

The hardest part of the job was dealing with uncharted territory on the fly at the speed of production, it was very difficult to manage the situation when there were 20 things going on and the call had to be made quickly, that being said I got used to the fast paced things and was able to handle it better as time went on.

The most enjoyable part of the job was getting to work with the operators and teach them about milk processing and getting to also learn from the great wealth of knowledge they had. It was also a great feeling of accomplishment when you were able to work around something and come out on top, making that extra widget in a days work.

During my time at Hilmar Cheese, I encountered significant challenges within the work environment. As part of the IT department, I observed that leadership was rarely onsite, and when present, interactions with employees seeking IT support were often dismissive. Efforts to foster a customer-focused culture were met with resistance, and I occasionally faced unprofessional comments and even threats when attempting to address issues.

I was hired as a lead, but unfortunately, my authority was frequently undermined, particularly by a technician on the desktop support team who was supported in doing so by long-term staff members. Coming from a professional environment with a focus on accountability and collaboration, I struggled to adapt to the workplace dynamics at Hilmar Cheese. 

The department lacked strong leadership, and the manager’s inability to engage or gain the respect of his team led to a breakdown in communication and productivity. On several occasions, I witnessed meetings where staff members did not even attend or engage, further demonstrating the lack of respect for leadership.

While I recognize that this may not reflect the entire company, I would caution those seeking a professional IT environment that aligns with a strong, accountable, and collaborative culture to carefully consider this workplace.

I work in the visitor center and have been for a while now. My experience has been great So far. The company is owned by wonderful people and some of the most humble I've ever met, and the managers in the visitor center are all really nice. One thing that I have noticed is that there is a chance to move around to other departments within the company if you start here; you are not "trapped" if you do not enjoy it and there are many opportunities within the other areas of the company whether it be production, maintenance, or office work. Something that bothers me is the way the managers choose leaders here. Sometimes there is no sense in the decision, and most of them are based off superiority, so many times people who are less qualified but have been with the company longer are the ones rewarded regardless of another employee who has an education and more combined experience elsewhere. Coworkers are all pleasant to be around and their positive attitude rubs off on you and the customers. It is a fun chance to meet a variety of people from around the whole world and a great way to learn more about the productivity of the company and dairy industry in general. Lots of fun on a daily basis!

What is the best part of working at the company?
Owners are actual dairy farmers who understand, appreciate, and reward hardworking and committed to the mission employees at all levels.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Maintaining pace within an organization who strives towards continuous measureable improvement, this is stressful only from the standpoint that everyone wants to improve so coming up with new ideas/strategies for improvement in a company where employees are, by far and wide, long-term employees challenges you in a positive way.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The bosses work at least as hard as their subordinate employees which motivates most employees to forge ahead, even in the midst of challenges, because the bosses expect no less from themselves.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
BUSY!  In a production environment both the need for change and reliability on consistancy are kept in balance: move forward with the good ideas, move on from "old" ideas that have served their purpose.

Enjoyed my time working with multiple departments and trained employees with various backgrounds and experiences. It was a family culture with lots of support and welcoming feel from everyone there. There were growth opportunities to work in operations management with training provided. If you were willing to rotate your shift, depending on your department, then this was something that would give you lots of experience in operations management with a lot of growth potential as a manager on a fast track. Bonus opportunities available when the company does well and Christmas gifts for all employees. The company treats their employees well and finds ways to give back to them in many ways. Compensation was competitive and HCC takes care of you and gives you a good sense of job security. There were no issues or concerns during my seasonal time working for the company. Would love to work again for this great company!

I was so very proud to work 13 uts at hilmar cheese!! My wife was especially proud of me working for the company. She bragged about it all the time even though i was just prodiction. They were very supportive when my wife was diagnosed with cancer and gave me the time to help take care of her during her chemotherapy tx. I felt blessed to work there. Born in mx i know the value of a good job. Biggesy dissapointment is i learnef to repair towets myself to keep running,also with hopes me efforts would be recognized so i could advance and learn new things. It never came to be not even after 13 urs. Mngmt changed and one day i made a mistake. Big acording to them. Ok but i was fired on the spot without council or a chance to correct my action. I was devastated at least a year and still am. I put so much of my life and my wifes she lived with the difficult schedule. I truly wish i was sti) thete and wish i was given the chance ro say how valuable my job was to me. If they rehired id go back no question
...

Don't matter how much you do for the company you will always be just a replaceable tool. Management doesn't appreciate all the hard work you do. You say and express your self to all the wrong things they say and do and you get in trouble. They set rules and regulations that they themselves don't follow. This company is run by relatives that administer both management positions and Human Resources and they cover each others backs when they do something wrong. A really bad experience working for this company not saying out of remorse or anything it's the truth. Lazy people get compensated wile hard working ones always get pushed to carry all the extra work that is not being performed by those that don't work. Super visors have favoritism and like lazy workers over those that put in the work and carry the company on their backs.

Management , terrible, if  you want to be a puppet it's a perfect place for you. I worked there 15 years and was treated bad. The employees that brown nose advance , have to be a yes person,  If you have an opinion they look Down at you. They waist so much money on bad judgement and planning. They hire engineers fresh out of college, they have no idea what they are doing. One group of new hires didn't know the difference between asfalt and cement. They won't shut down equipment for regular preventive maintenance, and when it breaks down they blame  maintenance for break down, everyone is just a number. When I started they treated you like a person now you are just a number.Brown nosing is your way to the top. Rotating schedule terrible no life, don't Know what day it is. All an all not a fun place to work!

18+ years working for this company.  Competitive compensation and benefits.  Company has gone through a growth spurt in the in the last 10 years or so and that has provided many opportunities for career advancement or just even learning new processes.  Hilmar Cheese values dedicated hard working individuals and will invest relentlessly in them via education reimbursement, training, career advancement workshops etc. If you have drive, this is the place to work.  If you enjoy working in a team environment focused on win win outcomes, this is the place to work.  If you want to feel safe and protected while working, this company lives and preaches safety everyday. Excellent deli and gift shop as well.  Don't hesitate to consider this great company!

Great place to work with great people.  Consistent opportunities for advancement.  Opportunity to make a difference if willing to be diligent.  You are not a number here, everybody can make a difference if willing to go out of your way and communicate with your team.  This company has great benefits for both health care and retirement.  HR policies are fair, Hilmar does value safety, punctuality, hard work, reliability and good attendance.  Some jobs are physical and some plants can be warm, loud, wet at times but there are enough breaks to catch your breath and cool off.  If you want to try something new, There are opportunities to work in other departments.  The work environment is fast paced in all areas but this helps the day fly by.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Operator 30 salaries reported	$25.34 per hour
Packaging operator 21 salaries reported	$25.27 per hour
Forklift operator 16 salaries reported	$25.59 per hour
Plant operator 10 salaries reported	$25.39 per hour
Sanitation worker 7 salaries reported	$24.77 per hour

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