Pack Operator Lead - 2nd shift

Arlington, OR • Full time

About the role

As a Production Lead, you will ensure the timely and efficient production of food-safe flour from mill to customer. This includes understanding Final Product Zone and customer shipment requirements, as well as the logistics of equipment. You will operate with simplicity, clarity, and transparency while driving change, organizing tasks, and meeting deadlines. You will also learn and apply new technology, share knowledge, and carry out activities with reliability, integrity, compliance, and safety.

Responsibilities

• Safety:
  • Champion safety, drive engagement, and ensure success of plant and personnel safety, food safety, and quality policies, programs, and procedures, including MSS and audit preparation.
  • Communicate as a liaison between staff and management to ensure everyone is heard.
  • Attend daily R&R meetings and relay safety information to the team.
  • Provide guidance to operators on troubleshooting equipment to optimize operations.
  • Plan and execute maintenance items for repair days and downtimes (planned and unplanned).
  • Perform miscellaneous duties, including working on plant teams, providing input on capital and focused improvement (FI) projects, 5S, training, and center lining.
  • Coordinate and order supplies as needed through Jaggaer/Manager Simplicity.
• Operations & Leadership:
  • Understand plant metrics, report and trend data, and attend daily and weekly R&R meetings.
  • Serve as a subject matter expert on all plant equipment, including mechanical conveying, spouting, gravity and pneumatic conveying, and electrical systems.
  • Make repairs and maintain equipment for plant installation.
  • Be an integral part of team member training, verification of qualifications, and performance.
  • Assist in onboarding new hires in the department.
  • Step into any position within the bulk department as necessary due to vacations or illness.
  • Provide peer-to-peer coaching to hold the team accountable and maximize efficiencies.
  • Understand the production schedule, customer needs, specifications, and logistics of inbound and outbound vessels.
  • Perform sanitation duties as assigned.
  • Use computers to operate process equipment, document production reports, shift reports, and log production and maintenance issues.
  • Assist in optimizing equipment automation to improve process efficiency.
  • Fill out work orders, update data in the OEE tool, communicate issues, and propose corrective actions.
  • Use PRISM to open and close production orders.
  • Interact with scheduler, elevator, miller, quality team, maintenance, toting, bulk, and feed to communicate workflow, schedule, and equipment issues.
  • Assist in other areas of the facility, including feed loadout, elevator, mill, and maintenance.
  • Perform the duties of the Production Manager when unavailable, including weekends, holidays, and on-call support.
  • Call in department support for operations, including scheduling and directing contractors safely.
  • Handle autonomous work orders.
  • Assist the Production Manager in producing personnel schedules.
  • Lead FI assignments and capital projects as assigned by management.
  • Oversee contractor work as required.
  • Provide tours to internal and external visitors.
  • Provide innovative solutions while troubleshooting.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 4+ years’ experience in plant operations.
• Strong leadership behaviors and demonstrated problem-solving/decision-making skills.
• Proficient in computer tools, including email and spreadsheets.
• Proficient in English (written and verbal).
• Clear, concise, and timely communication skills.
• Ability to filter noise within the department and advocate for both the team and management.
• High level of organizational skills and ability to multitask.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Able to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Able to work in a dusty environment and wear respiratory protection.
• Able to work in hot and cold conditions for extended periods.
• Able to climb stairs and ladders throughout the workday.
• Able to stand through the entire workday.
• Must be clean-shaven to perform tasks requiring respiratory protection (e.g., N-95 dust mask).

Additional Considerations

• Willing to accept accountability and work well in a team.
• Ability to read and understand electrical diagrams.
• Willing to take short-term assignments at other Ardent Mills facilities as needed.
• Ability to read and understand flow diagrams, milling air, and hydraulic systems.
• Additional formal education or certifications are a plus.
• Must meet company performance standards for the job.
• Willing and able to work rotating 12-hour shifts, weekends, holidays, 7-day weeks, and opposing shifts when needed.
• Willing to get cross-trained in all mill operations positions for development and relief duties.

Pay

Starting range for this position is $26.00 - $34.57 per hour. Additional earning potential is possible commensurate with experience. Eligible team members may also participate in an incentive bonus plan with a target of 5% of annual base pay, based on contribution, company performance, and individual results.

The company provides a shift differential for eligible employees working outside standard business hours, included in the calculation of overtime pay.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Health and dependent savings accounts.
• Life and disability programs.
• Voluntary benefit programs.
• Company-sponsored wellness programs.
• Retirement savings with company match.
• Team member and family assistance program (EAP).
• Paid time off and paid holidays.
• Employee recognition program with rewards (RAVE).