PROCESS CONTROL TECHNICIAN ANACORTES PLANT

About the role

Trident Seafoods is North America's largest vertically integrated seafood harvesting and processing company. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Trident employs approximately 7,700 people worldwide and partners with over 2,700 independent fishermen and crewmembers in Alaska. The Process Control Specialist is responsible for developing, implementing, maintaining, and improving product-specific production centerlines across all manufacturing lines within the Anacortes Plant.

Responsibilities

• Develop, document, implement, and maintain product-specific centerlines for all production lines.
• Establish and continuously improve operating standards based on production data, operational experience, process capability, and performance analysis.
• Define and maintain centerline specifications including equipment settings, machine operating parameters, conveyor and belt speeds, production rates, labor staffing requirements, product weight targets, batter viscosity targets (Stein Cup readings), pickup percentages, yield and recovery targets, rework expectations, material utilization standards, and scrap reduction targets.
• Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Quality Assurance, and Plant Leadership to validate centerline effectiveness.
• Ensure centerlines are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect best-known operating practices and changing production conditions.

Process Monitoring and Control

• Monitor production performance throughout the day to verify adherence to established centerlines.
• Identify process deviations that negatively impact OEE, attainment, throughput, quality, labor productivity, yield, recovery, or material utilization.
• Utilize SafetyChain or other approved systems to deploy, communicate, and sustain process standards.
• Conduct routine process audits and verification checks on production lines.
• Support rapid problem identification and corrective action when process conditions drift from established standards.
• Work through Production Supervisors and Line Leads to implement timely process adjustments that restore process stability and performance.
• Verify that line settings and operating conditions remain aligned to established standards throughout production runs.

Statistical Process Control (SPC)

• Apply SPC methodologies to monitor process stability and identify abnormal process variation.
• Develop and maintain control charts and process monitoring tools for critical production parameters.
• Analyze trends to distinguish true process signals from routine process variation.
• Investigate special-cause variation and support root cause analysis efforts.
• Provide coaching and guidance to supervisors, leads, and operators on process control principles and data interpretation.
• Promote fact-based, data-driven decision making throughout the operation.

Performance Analysis and Reporting

• Collect, validate, analyze, and communicate production performance data.
• Monitor and report key operational metrics including OEE, throughput, attainment, labor productivity, yield and recovery, scrap generation, material utilization, giveaway, rework, downtime, and First Pass Yield.
• Develop dashboards, visual management systems, and reporting tools that promote process visibility and accountability.
• Provide recommendations that improve process consistency, efficiency, reliability, and profitability.

Continuous Improvement

• Support Operational Excellence initiatives aligned with the plant's Stabilize, Standardize, and Improve operating strategy.
• Participate in root cause investigations related to downtime, quality issues, process instability, yield losses, and labor inefficiencies.
• Assist with implementation of Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, and waste reduction initiatives.
• Support startup and optimization activities associated with new products, process changes, and capital projects.
• Assist with development of standard work, best practices, and process documentation.
• Collaborate with plant leadership to identify and execute opportunities that improve operational performance and financial results.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Two to four years of manufacturing experience.
• Demonstrated experience in production, process control, quality, maintenance, operations, or continuous improvement environments.
• Strong mathematical, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to interpret production data and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Experience utilizing spreadsheets and production reporting tools.
• Effective communication skills across all levels of the organization.
• Ability to work independently and influence others without direct authority.

Preferred Qualifications

• Seafood processing, food manufacturing, or other high-volume manufacturing experience.
• Experience working with production metrics, manufacturing KPIs, and operational performance systems.
• Knowledge of Statistical Process Control (SPC) principles.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification or equivalent experience.
• Experience with SafetyChain or similar process management systems.
• Experience supporting continuous improvement initiatives, kaizen events, or operational excellence programs.

Skills

• Ability to function as a plant resource for process control, centerline management, and manufacturing best practices.
• Ability to knowledge share and support the development of supervisors, leads, and operators.
• Knowledge of process discipline, data interpretation, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Ability to promote a culture of operational excellence through standardization, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Ability to lead through influence, expertise, and collaboration rather than direct authority.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts. The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and extreme cold. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; outside weather conditions; risk of electrical shock and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

Work Ability Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout a manufacturing facility.
• Ability to work in cold, wet, refrigerated seafood processing environments.
• Ability to frequently climb stairs, access elevated production areas, and move throughout all production departments.
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to bend, twist, reach, stoop, and perform repetitive motions as required to observe and evaluate production processes.
• Ability to work safely around moving equipment and industrial machinery.
• Ability to use computers, tablets, handheld devices, and data collection systems for extended periods.
• Ability to work flexible schedules, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and overtime as operational needs require.
• Ability to spend significant time on the production floor observing, auditing, monitoring, and supporting manufacturing operations.

This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

Pay

This is a nonexempt position with an hourly rate of $31.25 to $38.00 per hour.

Benefits

• Discretionary/performance-based incentives.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Optional HRA/HSA.
• Telemedicine, employee assistance, and wellness programs.
• Long-term disability, basic life, and AD&D insurance.
• 401(k) with a company match.
• Paid time off starting at 20 days per year, adjusted commensurate with relevant experience.
• 10 paid holidays each year.
• Paid parental leave.
• Commuter and transit programs.