Fryer Operator Trainee

You’ve probably enjoyed our fries without even knowing it! As a leading manufacturer in our industry, we inspire and bring people together with foods they love and trust. Our customer base includes international food service providers, restaurants, and households in over 100 countries around the world. A highly innovative global corporation with a start-up mindset, we empower every individual to make a genuine difference. You’ll gain access to hands-on training to fuel your growth and success, explore opportunities for new solutions, and you’ll join a winning team of 10,000+ people all dedicated to raising the bar – together.

About the role

This position is responsible for constantly monitoring fluid levels and temperatures in blanchers, dryers, and fryer. It also requires monitoring of equipment to assure proper product and fluid flows throughout the process and equipment.

Responsibilities

• Has a working knowledge of the equipment, piping layout, and controls in area of responsibility.
• Monitors and oversees operation and controls of the blancher, dryer, and fryer.
• Monitors and controls the temperature and time on the blancher, dryer, and fryer to achieve product specification targets.
• Performs various tests to ensure oil quality, upstream color, and SAPP and salt concentrations are correct (e.g., FFA test).
• Performs fry-ups to monitor product color and quality at a regular frequency.
• Monitors dextrose, SAPP, and salt added to the flume water supply tank to attain target color and salt content in the finished product.
• Monitors and ensures oil levels in fryers and makeup tanks.
• Monitors that circulation valves on the fryer are adjusted correctly.
• Transfers oil from holding tanks to other tanks and/or fryer when needed.
• Cleans static product build-up out of the fryer during breaks in line-flow or when instructed by the Supervisor.
• Controls the amount of oil to Lakos system and monitors the entire fryer filtration system.
• Maintains Oberland filtration system and crumb/oily waste removal using a forklift.
• Changes paper filter when necessary.
• Checks all oil recovery equipment to ensure it is operating properly to attain the highest oil recovery rate possible.
• Follows SSOPs to clean fryer, dryer, blancher, and other equipment.
• Maintains cleanliness under and around fryer, de-oiler, and precool area.
• Performs boil outs on fryer as required.
• Monitors equipment operations and changes process settings in APQC as required.
• Able to use the TESTO to measure and record Total Polar Compounds of the Fryer Oil.
• Communicates problems and breaks in the line to appropriate personnel.
• Starts and stops equipment as required.
• Maintains oil level in fryer makeup tanks as required.
• Fills out paperwork as required.
• Performs assigned duties during cut changes and defrost as required.
• Changes fryer oil as instructed.
• Regularly uses tools and equipment as assigned by Team Leader or Area Owner.
• Breaks other operators as assigned.
• May be required to use a 2-way radio.
• Required to use a computer touch screen to monitor and control equipment such as automated valves.
• Wears required PPE, including Fryer safety PPE as necessary for specific job duties being performed around the Fryer area.
• Actively participates in AMD activities; maintains Centerlines and CILs.
• Performs any other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED) preferred.
• Lock-out/Tag-out, Forklift, and Sanitation certification are required. If you are not qualified, you will be trained and must meet certification requirements.
• Experience driving forklift in warehouse or manufacturing establishment preferred.
• Must be able to be qualified within time frames established by facility.
• Ability to perform basic math functions required.
• Basic computer operation knowledge, data entry skills, and proficiency in Microsoft Office programs.

Physical Demands

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and to stand, walk, bend, stoop, twist, and turn frequently.
• Exposed to a noisy environment that varies from hot to cold in temperature.
• Exposure to manufacturing environments for up to 8 hours per workday, including loud noise, excessive heat, cold, wet, slippery conditions, dirt, fumes, smoke, smells, and allergens.
• Ability to perform repetitious arm, wrist, and hand movements required for job actions and procedures.
• Must be able to work with hands and arms overhead and to work in or under the equipment.
• Requires manual dexterity, overall coordination, and good balance to work both at ground level and in high places to perform job duties.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Exposed to temperatures ranging from -20 degrees below zero to 35 degrees Fahrenheit in Freezer Operation and 37 degrees to 90 degrees Fahrenheit in Plant Operation.
• May have to sample food while evaluating Lamb Weston products.
• Climbing to various heights via stairs or ladders on a regular basis.
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily. If requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job, absent undue hardship.

Benefits

• Health Insurance Benefits – Medical, Dental, Vision
• Flexible Spending Accounts for Health and Dependent Care, and Health Reimbursement Accounts
• Well-being programs including companywide events and a wellness incentive program
• Paid Time Off
• Financial Wellness – Industry-leading 401(k) plan with generous company contributions, Financial Planning Services, Employee Stock purchase program, and Health Savings Accounts, Life and Accident insurance
• Family-Friendly Employee events
• Employee Assistance Program services – mental health and other concierge-type services

Benefits may vary based on location, job role/level, job status, and/or the terms of any applicable collective bargaining agreements.

Pay

A reasonable hourly estimate for this role is $24.12. Actual compensation may be higher or lower in the range based on various factors, including, but not limited to, a candidate's work location, job duties, experience, and expertise.