About Company
The Sumbawanga Dairy Cooperative Union (SDCU) is a cornerstone of agricultural development and economic empowerment in the Rukwa Region of Tanzania. Established with a profound commitment to uplifting the livelihoods of local dairy farmers, SDCU acts as a central hub for the aggregation, processing, and equitable distribution of high-quality dairy products. Our cooperative model ensures that our members, the farmers themselves, directly benefit from the value chain we create. We operate a modern, state-of-the-art processing facility located in Sumbawanga, equipped with advanced machinery and adhering to stringent quality control standards. This facility is the heart of our operations, transforming fresh milk into various dairy derivatives consumed by the community and distributed to wider markets. At SDCU, we pride ourselves on our unwavering commitment to quality, sustainability, and fostering a supportive environment for our staff and members. Joining SDCU means becoming an integral part of a community-focused enterprise that values dedication, teamwork, innovation, and the continuous pursuit of operational excellence, all while contributing significantly to food security and regional prosperity.
Job Description
We are actively seeking a highly motivated, skilled, and detail-oriented Machine Operator to become a vital member of our production team on the factory floor at the Sumbawanga Dairy Cooperative Union. This is a crucial full-time, on-site position directly impacting our daily operational success and product quality. The successful candidate will be primarily responsible for the precise setup, efficient operation, continuous monitoring, and basic preventative maintenance of various sophisticated dairy processing machinery. This includes, but is not limited to, pasteurizers, homogenizers, cream separators, UHT processing units, and a range of packaging equipment designed for milk, yogurt, and other dairy products. Your expertise will be instrumental in ensuring that our dairy products consistently meet the highest industry standards for quality, safety, and efficiency, adhering strictly to both SDCU’s internal protocols and national food safety regulations. This role demands exceptional attention to detail, a strong aptitude for understanding mechanical processes, and an unwavering commitment to maintaining impeccable hygiene and rigorous safety protocols, which are paramount in a food processing environment. You will work in close collaboration with fellow production staff, quality control technicians, and shift supervisors, fostering a synergistic team environment to maintain a seamless and productive workflow. The position requires reliability, a proactive approach to troubleshooting minor operational issues, and the capacity to thrive and perform consistently in a dynamic and fast-paced manufacturing setting. If you possess a genuine passion for contributing to a significant local enterprise that positively impacts the community and hold the requisite technical skills to expertly operate and maintain complex industrial machinery, we enthusiastically encourage you to apply and embark on a rewarding career journey with SDCU, where your contributions will be valued and instrumental to our continued growth.
Key Responsibilities
- Operate and monitor dairy processing machinery (e.g., pasteurizers, homogenizers, separators, packaging machines) according to standard operating procedures and production schedules.
- Perform routine quality checks on products during various stages of production, ensuring compliance with SDCU's internal quality standards and regulatory requirements.
- Load raw materials into machines, prepare ingredients, and continuously monitor the production process to identify and resolve minor issues or deviations promptly.
- Conduct thorough daily cleaning, sanitization, and sterilization of machinery and workstations to maintain a hygienic and safe production environment, adhering to GMP standards.
- Execute basic preventative maintenance tasks, including lubrication and minor adjustments, and troubleshoot equipment malfunctions to minimize downtime and ensure optimal operational performance.
- Accurately record production data, machine parameters, quality control observations, and any deviations or incidents in logbooks and digital systems.
- Adhere strictly to all company safety regulations, food safety guidelines (HACCP, GMP), and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
- Collaborate effectively with team members, supervisors, and quality assurance personnel to optimize production efficiency, ensure product consistency, and achieve production targets.
- Report any major equipment breakdowns, significant safety hazards, or critical quality non-conformities to the shift supervisor immediately for appropriate action.
- Assist in maintaining organized inventory of materials and supplies, ensuring proper storage and handling of ingredients and finished products.
Required Skills
- Proven experience (minimum 2 years) as a Machine Operator in a manufacturing or food processing environment.
- Strong mechanical aptitude and a demonstrated ability to understand and operate complex industrial machinery.
- Comprehensive knowledge of workplace safety protocols and quality control standards in a factory setting.
- Ability to read and accurately interpret technical manuals, production schedules, and operational instructions.
- Exceptional attention to detail, strong problem-solving capabilities, and the ability to react quickly to operational challenges.
- Good physical stamina, capable of lifting moderate weights, standing for extended periods, and working in various environmental conditions common to a factory.
- Basic computer literacy for data entry, interacting with machine interfaces, and reporting.
Preferred Qualifications
- Certificate or Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Technology, Food Science, or a closely related technical field.
- Specific experience operating processing and packaging machinery within the dairy or broader food processing industry.
- Working knowledge and practical application of HACCP and GMP principles.
- Valid First Aid certification.
- Proficiency in communicating effectively in both Swahili and English.
Perks & Benefits
- A competitive salary package that recognizes and rewards your experience and contributions.
- Comprehensive health insurance coverage to ensure your well-being.
- Significant opportunities for continuous professional development, training, and career advancement within the cooperative.
- A supportive, collaborative, and team-oriented work environment.
- The satisfaction of contributing to a vital local industry that directly empowers farmers and strengthens the community.
- Generous paid time off and observance of national public holidays.
How to Apply
Interested candidates are invited to submit their detailed CV and a compelling cover letter outlining their qualifications, relevant experience, and suitability for this role. Please ensure your application specifically highlights your experience as a Machine Operator, particularly within a food processing or manufacturing environment. To apply, kindly click on the application link below. We appreciate all applications; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. We look forward to reviewing your application and potentially welcoming you to the SDCU family.