Operator - Production & Packaging

About the role

Reporting to the Shift Supervisor, the Operator – Production & Packaging is responsible for safely and efficiently operating, maintaining, and cleaning production and packaging equipment across multiple areas—including kitchen, mogul, and packaging lines. The Operator – Production & Packaging ensures all work meets quality, food safety, environmental, and cost standards while supporting production schedules and minimizing downtime.

Operators partner with support teams using problem-solving techniques and a continuous-improvement mindset to identify and reduce unplanned losses in safety, quality, and efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate, monitor, adjust, and clean assigned production and packaging equipment.
• Conduct routine inspections and preventative maintenance to ensure proper functionality.
• Prepare equipment for changeovers, including size and material adjustments.
• Load raw materials, premixes, and packaging materials to maintain continuous line flow.
• Perform quality checks, including product specifications, coding, sealing, weights, and packaging integrity.
• Responsible for training and coaching others in the assigned areas.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Requires high school diploma or equivalent (HSED/GED).
• Requires three (3) years of progressive manufacturing and/or packaging experience.
• Must be flexible with off-shift work schedule and overtime as needed.
• Ability to handle stress and to interact with others to establish and maintain a positive and productive work environment and minimize personal conflicts.

Preferred Qualifications

• Machine operations preferably in the fast-moving consumer goods/food/beverage/pharma industries.
• Understanding of manufacturing and packaging equipment (cooking/molding, weighing, wrapping, coding, case packing, palletizing, etc.).
• Knowledgeable of food safety and food quality standards and regulations such as SQF and environmental and people-based safety practices and regulations.
• Knowledge of ERP systems preferably SAP.

Skills

• Basic computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook); SAP experience preferred.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills.
• Requires basic mathematical skills to be able to add, subtract, multiply, divide, and work with percentages.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English to document work, communicate with management, and collaborate with colleagues.

Physical Requirements

• Standing/walking: Continuous (over 75%)
• Talking/hearing: Continuous (over 75%)
• Hand/finger dexterity: Frequent to continuous
• Climbing, bending, kneeling, crouching: Frequent
• Lifting/carrying up to 35–50 lbs: Frequent to continuous
• Ability to multitask and function in high-stress environments
• Work performed indoors with artificial lighting, mid-level noise, and proper ventilation