Operator I - 1st Shift

About the Role

Operate production machinery safely and efficiently, maintain appropriate documentation, and communicate ideas and problems to appropriate staff. Perform scheduled preventative maintenance and other repairs to production equipment, participate in production equipment changeovers, and ensure the production of high-quality products.

Responsibilities

• Follow all employer safety and health regulations, including Lock Out/Block Out/Tag Out policies and wearing proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Monitor and explain deviations from expected Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
• Complete machine and task-specific training as documented on the Operator Development Plan.
• Perform necessary Operator Checklists and data collection of quality measurements.
• Correct deviations from quality standards and monitor SPC charting.
• Communicate problems, progress reports, and continuous improvement ideas to management, maintenance, and production personnel.
• Perform maintenance tasks and troubleshoot machine and process issues.
• Establish SMART goals, request regular meetings with managers, and seek additional training and higher education opportunities.
• Ensure all cleaning tasks are performed as outlined in the Master Cleaning Schedule.
• Maintain accurate production reporting documentation.
• Actively participate in plant teams and activities (safety, quality, sustainability, community involvement, etc.).
• Operate Powered Industrial Truck, Boom Lift, and Scissor Lift per OSHA regulations.
• Produce and/or pack the best quality product, ensuring compliance with company and customer quality expectations.
• Label and tag all production, maintaining traceability of raw and packaging materials.
• Isolate and track non-conforming products and materials.
• Perform quality and downstream testing, recording results as directed.
• Follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), HACCP, and food safety programs.
• Maintain a clean, organized work area to prevent foreign material contamination.
• Perform scheduled production equipment changeovers with minimal impact to OEE.
• Conduct Preventative Maintenance tasks and manage them in Computerized Maintenance Management Software.
• Ensure equipment is clean and in ‘showroom condition’ after maintenance.
• Evaluate equipment for improvement areas and tag components needing repair or replacement.
• Record parts removed from inventory and notify Maintenance Manager when inventory is low.

Requirements

• High School diploma or GED equivalent.
• Successfully complete entrance examinations and interviews.
• Sense of urgency, accountability, business ethics, professionalism, and self-motivation.
• Ability to act as Person In Charge in the absence of management.
• Ability to work promptly and regularly, take direction, and work well with others.
• Ability to work under stress, concentrate, and react productively to change.

Physical Demands

• Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, and equipment.
• Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending the spine at the waist.
• Crouching: Bending body downward and forward by bending legs and spine.
• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Standing: Standing for sustained periods of time.
• Walking: Moving over long distances to accomplish tasks.
• Pushing/Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force.
• Lifting: Raising objects up to 50 pounds occasionally, up to 20 pounds frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly.
• Grasping/Fingering: Applying pressure with fingers and hands or working primarily with fingers.
• Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects by touch.
• Talking/Hearing: Expressing ideas and perceiving sounds, including detailed oral communication.
• Repetitive Motion: Substantial movements of the arms, hands, and/or fingers.
• Vision: Capable of seeing small defects at close distances and preparing/analyzing data.

Working Conditions

• Subject to both inside and outside environmental conditions, including extreme heat (temperatures above 100°F for periods of more than one hour).
• Exposure to noise, vibrations, moving mechanical parts, electrical current, chemicals, fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, poor ventilation, and oils.

Pay

Pay Range: $18.95 - $27.90 per hour.