Extraction Process Operator I (Days)

About the role

SunOpta delivers customized supply chain solutions and innovation for top brands, retailers, and foodservice providers across a broad portfolio of beverages, broths, and better-for-you snacks. With over 50 years of expertise, SunOpta fuels customers' growth with high-quality, sustainability-forward solutions distributed through retail, club, foodservice, and e-commerce channels across North America.

Essential Functions of the Job

• Cook up and operate tea products and machines associated with the process.
• Follow written and verbal instructions to ensure quality and efficiency standards are being met.
• Assume responsibility for the soy processing area efficiencies, safety, quality, and effective communication relevant to shift and plant performance.
• Cook up and operate the soy processing area.
• Maintain a clean and organized workstation.
• Perform routine maintenance on all process equipment.
• Relieve other production team members for breaks and absences as required.
• Perform a variety of quality checks (weight checks, machine checks, quality & integrity checks) to assure standards are met.
• Troubleshoot and resolve basic to moderate operating difficulties involving area equipment.
• Accurately prepares and maintains all area paperwork.
• Work with Management team to monitor the operational efficiencies, yields, scrap loss and other key indicators to actively seek ways to improve plant productivity.
• Effectively communicate with the Aseptic Mixers to coordinate the process and flow of separations prior to initiating a separation.
• Wear PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) when required.
• All other duties, as assigned.

Safety Key Accountabilities

• Adheres to all plant safety rules.
• Reports all near misses and accidents to the production supervisor and or HR representative.
• Serves an active role the plant safety programs, by participating in monthly safety inspections and reporting any potential safety hazards to the safety committee or Management.

Quality

• Adheres to all Quality Assurance System guidelines.
• Follows SOP’s and SSOP’s (standard operating procedures and sanitation standard operating procedures) when making processing adjustments, to ensure the manufacturing of high-quality liquid-based products.
• Responsible for compliance with GMP’s, HACCP and SQF programs.
• Identifies all critical control points (CCP) understanding their functions it relates to the process.

Maintenance

• When Maintenance is occurring in your work area, it is the expectation to assist the Maintenance Technicians in any capacity needed to expedite the repair process.

Housekeeping

• Maintain a clean and organized work area.
• Assists all areas of the plant with general housekeeping.
• Cooperates with other shifts and the management team in housekeeping endeavors.

Communications

• Ensures effective shift communication and teamwork with other operators occurs each scheduled shift.
• Maintains effective communication with members of the support group.
• When utilizing the handheld radios, employees are expected to be professional and respectful when communicating.

Teamwork and Training

• Promotes and contributes to the development of a strong team.
• Works well among co-workers as a team.
• Assist in coaching and training employees as requested by the management team.

Personal Development

• Continuously improve your knowledge of the Aseptic Filling Process.
• Become familiar with SunOpta 360.
• Completes and adheres to the Annual Alchemy Schedule.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED.
• 2 years in food manufacturing.

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of math and computers.
• Ability to prioritize, work well under pressure and meet deadlines in a team-based environment.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Knowledge and skills must be able to run all processors, CIPs, and monitor all surge tanks.
• Understands procedures for all allergens and how to prevent cross contamination.
• Must be able to perform maintenance on valves, surge tanks, and processors.
• Must be able to prepare and maintain accurate paperwork.
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve moderate to complex issues associated with the processors and related equipment.
• Ability to assess a situation and make quick and accurate decisions that will aid in production.
• Must adhere to all GMP's and Safety Procedures established by Management.
• Understand terminology related to the process and surge equipment.
• Must be able to stand and work for long periods of time (12) hours and lift a minimum 30-50 pounds frequently and push/pull pallet jacks and lifts with heavy loads.

Additional Considerations

• Location: This position will be at the SunOpta plant in Midlothian, TX.
• Shift: This will be a day shift position, 6 am to 6:30 pm on a 2-2-3 pattern.
• Pay Rate: $25.80 / hour.
• Work Environment: This position will be in a plant / manufacturing environment.

Featured Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Paid Family leave
• Paid maternity leave
• 401(k) with Match
• Voluntary Life, Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital indemnity
• Paid Holidays
• Tuition assistance
• Short-term and Long-term Disability insurance

EEO Statement

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER EOE M/W/VET/DISABLED