First Shift Grader

About the role

The Grader is accountable for maintaining the quality of potatoes shipped to the customer by grading and sorting potatoes moving rapidly on the conveyor system. Grading consists of removing all foreign materials—including corn stalks, rocks, and rotting potatoes—while the product is conveyed to and from trucks. Potatoes are sorted according to color, size, weight, and condition in accordance with contract and customer specifications.

Responsibilities

• Grades and sorts potatoes on the conveyor system according to color, size, weight, and applicable customer specifications.
• Removes foreign materials such as corn stalks, rocks, and rotting potatoes while they are being conveyed to/from trucks.
• Communicates to management when the grade of potatoes does not meet customer order requirements.
• Cleans the general work area of debris, excess potatoes, or other materials out of place.
• Follows all Safety, Occupational Safety, and Food Safety policies as outlined in Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) at Wysocki, including restrictions on plastic bottles, loose jewelry, gum, cough drops, and ensuring hair is tied back.
• Participates in team meetings and the Lead Safe Program as an active participant.
• Collaborates with the production team to ensure timely processing and distribution of graded potatoes.
• Completes training assigned by the supervisor or company.
• Performs other duties as assigned to support departmental and company goals, adapting to business needs with flexibility and teamwork.
• Demonstrates Wysocki Family Farms Core Values through everyday actions, communication, and decision‑making.
• (Processing Grader only) Conducts a monthly inspection of facility traps to ensure proper maintenance and functionality.
• (Process Grader only) Assists the Process Loader with daily cleaning tasks in the process bay and surrounding floor area.

Qualifications

• Preferred experience in produce, preferably potatoes, or a manufacturing setting.
• Preferred experience working in a fast‑paced environment.
• Preferred knowledge of the potato inspection process.

Competencies and Success Factors

• Dependable Work Habits: Reports to work as scheduled, gets along with team members, follows policies and standard operating procedures, stays busy doing value‑added work, and treats others with respect.
• Quality of Work: Maintains quality and safety standards by following all SOPs, has a low instance of rework, makes changes after rework to avoid similar mistakes, and communicates consistently with management.
• Safe Work Habits: Maintains a clean and organized work area, displays safe work habits, follows safety rules or protocols, wears required PPE (e.g., gloves), and takes ownership of a safe workplace for others.
• Quantity of Work: Completes work according to established deadlines without compromising quality and safety, manages time effectively, follows priorities set by management, and stays busy doing value‑added work.

Physical Activities and Working Conditions

• Primarily sedentary and stationary work that can alternate between standing and sitting.
• Requires ability to ascend/descend ladders and stairs, move into various positions (sometimes tight spaces), and occasionally lift up to 20 lb.
• Involves repetitive motions with arms, wrists, hands, and fingers; bending, stooping, and standing on concrete for long periods.
• Requires visual identification of defects (color, variety, length, width, appearance) and mental processing to remove deficient product.
• Environmental conditions include temperature‑controlled indoor spaces, noisy environments, slippery or wet floors, exposure to regulated chemicals, and dusty or poorly ventilated areas.