Milk Grader-Olenguruone

Role Overview

This position is the first line of defence for milk quality, operating out in the field where raw milk is collected from farmers before it ever reaches the processing plant. You will test every batch on the spot, decide whether it meets strict quality standards, and take responsibility for getting approved milk to the factory quickly and safely. Your daily decisions directly protect the company’s product reputation and reduce waste from rejected or spoiled deliveries.

Key Responsibilities

• Run daily checks and calibrations on all testing instruments used for raw milk analysis, ensuring every reading is reliable before fieldwork begins.
• Prepare and standardise chemical reagents according to established quality test methods, keeping solutions fresh and correctly labelled.
• Take samples from raw milk at collection points, perform organoleptic and laboratory tests, and approve or reject deliveries based on company quality specifications.
• Apply precise, repeatable grading techniques so that every batch is assessed consistently and no substandard milk is accepted.
• Coordinate with transporters and drivers to ensure approved milk reaches the factory within required timeframes, using proper cooling and handling to prevent spoilage during transit.
• Verify quality results at the factory intake point, identify any deviations, and initiate immediate corrective action when a load does not match the field grading record.
• Maintain strict custody of all company assets assigned to you, including cans, testing equipment, reagents, consumables, and weighing scales, making sure they are clean, functional, and accounted for.
• Seal and lock road tankers after loading, confirm the quantity and quality of milk procured, and follow all documented transport procedures without exception.
• Carry out routine inspections of milk handling equipment for cleanliness and hygiene, recording findings and reporting any issues that could compromise food safety.
• Keep clear, complete records of every collection, test result, rejection, and delivery, and report irregularities promptly to the Raw Milk Procurement and Extension Manager.
• Support farmer training days and field demonstrations focused on clean milk production and good animal husbandry practices, helping suppliers improve quality at the source.
• Undertake any additional quality-related tasks assigned by management to support the wider procurement and factory operations.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Certificate or Diploma in Dairy Technology, Food Science, Microbiology, Analytical Chemistry, or a closely related discipline from a recognised institution.
• Two to three years of hands-on experience in raw milk grading and quality control, ideally within a busy milk collection centre or dairy processing facility.
• Practical working knowledge of dairy testing equipment, chemical reagents, and standard laboratory safety protocols.
• Computer literacy, including ability to enter data accurately and generate simple reports.
• Strong record-keeping discipline with attention to detail, especially when documenting test results and delivery volumes.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer-facing communication skills, comfortable dealing directly with farmers and field staff.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to spot quality trends and respond quickly to non-conformities.
• High integrity and reliability, since the role involves handling company property, financial records, and quality decisions that affect production.