Operator I

About the role

Tate & Lyle is a global provider of ingredients and solutions to the food, beverage, and other industries, operating from more than 30 locations around the world. Through large scale, efficient manufacturing plants, Tate & Lyle turns raw materials into distinctive, high‑quality ingredients that add taste, texture, nutrition, and increased functionality to products used by millions daily. Role Purpose: Packaging Operator I is responsible for the packaging of basegum material, reprocessing of WIP material (reblending, milling and agglomeration) and clean up associated with biogum products. The position requires knowledge and understanding of the technology and process operations to operate and troubleshoot the equipment efficiently and safely. Several operations require operator interaction through a computer interface. The operator is expected to make decisions and necessary changes to correct deviations in process conditions and to assist in troubleshooting operational problems.

Responsibilities

• Works independently to complete assigned work tasks and to monitor and operate equipment; works individually as well as in teams according to team leader instructions.
• Adheres to GMP regulations set forth by plant policies.
• Operations require climbing stairs and ladders to monitor and set up equipment; some areas have difficult access requiring bending or stooping.
• Several operations require opening and closing various types and sizes of valves.
• Works in varying environmental conditions, may be required to work several hours at a time in temperatures ranging from below freezing to more than 90°F.
• Walks/stands on various surfaces (concrete, gravel, metal grating, diamond‑plated stairways and walkways) which can be slippery.
• Ensures assigned production area is maintained free of deposits of processed material; follows detailed cleaning procedures, including sweeping, mopping, dusting, vacuuming, using specialized tools and high‑pressure water hoses.
• Sweeps floors using long‑handled 24″ janitor’s broom (up to 10 lb manual effort); bends/squats to lift/shovel waste into a 300 lb drum; moves drum by tilting and rolling up to 10 ft.
• Vacuums waste product using 1.5 in. corrugated hose (up to 15 lb when filled); must manually grasp, twist, pull to disassemble equipment for emptying; carries/pulls vacuum assembly within 50 ft.
• Lifts and reaches overhead with cleaning nozzles and brushes; climbs 5‑foot ladder as necessary to reach upper support beams during cleaning.
• Drives and operates forklift: grasps vehicle, pulls self‑up ~30 in., pins and turns key, grasps steering wheel, pushes/pulls pedals and levers while lifting/lowering forks; drives over smooth and uneven terrain.
• Packaging product: fills fiber drums, boxes or bags with product, then labels and stacks processed material onto pallets in anticipation of shipping; follows packaging procedures and GMP regulations.
• Agglomeration / Milling / Blending: processes WIP material; operates fine mesh and waste gum milling systems, agglomerator, and reblend operations; understands control systems and basic troubleshooting; charges product into blenders per team leader instructions.
• Codes/recodes drums: uses manual dexterity to apply codes with handheld roller; when recoding drums, grasps edges of 16‑in. drum weighing 100 lb, tilts and rolls it off pallet, applies hand‑rolled code.
• Complies with EHSQ policies and procedures; responsible for own actions; carries out work without risk to self, others, environment; reports incidents, defects, hazards, inadequacies; suggests improvements and participates in general improvement of systems.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.

Skills

• Prior employment experience in a manufacturing or warehouse position is desirable.
• Knowledge of computer applications.