Process Operator

Colgate-Palmolive Company is a global consumer products company operating in over 200 countries specializing in Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care, Skin Care, and Pet Nutrition. Our products are trusted in more households than any other brand in the world. Join us—a caring, innovative growth company reimagining a healthier future for people, their pets, and our planet.

About the role

This multi-purpose process position in manufacturing may be process-specific or rotate across all trained areas within a particular shift, reporting to shift managers. The primary responsibility is performing all functions associated with manufacturing roles, including but not limited to Inbound, Milling, Meat slurry, Mixing, and Extrusion.

Sign-on bonus: $500 after 90 days, $500 after 180 days. Internal Referral Program also available.

Responsibilities

• Inbound duties:
  • Loading trucks (live loads and staged loads)
  • Operate push-pull forklift (expert level) and site yard dog
  • Direct ship responsibility, including proper disposition of hold, food safety hold, and released product
  • JD Edwards functionality, BOL responsibility/accountability, Trace Gains Functionality
  • Support Customer Service Rep with shipping department activities
  • Understand production schedules, computer systems, work instructions, and inventories
  • Communicate with forklift, packaging, and warehouse operators to ensure timely material replenishment
  • Manage FIFO program for materials management
  • Load super sacks and micros in dries rooms
  • Cross-training with other Logistic Material Handler positions
• Mill and Mixing Rooms:
  • Schedule and batch commodities and/or meat slurry into accurate mixed meal batches
  • Participate in processing system strategy to meet or exceed production schedules efficiently
  • Perform preventative and downtime maintenance; assist in incremental improvements
  • Support maintenance/engineering in upgrading systems/equipment and provide input on new projects
  • Develop proficiency in inventory management and business systems for accurate reporting
  • Prepare and maintain SOPs and training modules
  • Perform accurate quality checks and complete documentation error-free
  • Maintain a safe, clean work area and promote a high-quality team environment
  • Perform assigned activities and tasks within a line or area; take corrective actions to solve problems at root cause
  • Assess equipment reliability, perform routine repairs, adjustments, and troubleshooting
  • Complete equipment preventive maintenance with Maintenance team
  • Maintain accurate records of QC checks, production numbers, and waste performance
  • Perform QC tasks (metal checks, date code inspection, item numbers, dump logs, etc.)
  • Demonstrate ownership for product quality and perform standard quality checks
• Meat Room:
  • Operate equipment to add slurry to extrusion process
  • Participate in processing system strategy to meet or exceed production schedules efficiently
  • Perform preventative tasks and work with maintenance on equipment maintenance, repairs, and troubleshooting
  • Assist maintenance/engineering in improving/upgrading systems and provide input on new projects
  • Develop and maintain proficiency in inventory management and business systems
  • Prepare and maintain SOPs and training modules
  • Perform accurate quality checks and complete documentation error-free
• Other duties as assigned by the line manager

Requirements

• Food manufacturing experience and knowledge of food safety
• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Statistical Process Control (SPC)
• Team player with action-oriented problem-solving abilities and strong communication skills
• Capable of working at elevated heights and/or confined spaces
• Wear proper personal protective equipment (hair net, bump cap, ear plugs, safety shoes, uniform)
• Ability to bend, stoop, twist, turn, stand for extended periods, reach, climb stairs, and lift up to 55 lbs
• Adapt to temperature and environmental extremes (hot/cold, dust, dirt, chemicals)
• Knowledge of local, federal, and industry regulations regarding:
  • Food Safety (GMP, HACCP)
  • Food Quality (Product and Process)
  • Q&FS testing practices and procedures, QMP policies, and SPC
• Forklift assignments require OSHA certification and frequent getting on/off

Qualifications

• Minimum:
  • 18 years of age or older
  • High school diploma, GED, or equivalent education
  • Willing and able to work varying shifts and schedules
  • Ability to understand and communicate effectively in English
  • Working knowledge of Safety, Quality, and Material Management Systems and procedures
  • Ability to read and understand daily production run schedules and execute plans
  • Ability to communicate production, quality/food safety, or business-critical information
  • Ability to operate a forklift (OSHA certification) and work with minimal supervision
• Preferred:
  • 3+ years of manufacturing experience operating a variety of machines
  • 2 years of work experience within manufacturing or a technical/trade discipline
  • Working knowledge of food safety, GMP, HACCP, SPC
  • Demonstrated competency in computer and PC software (MS Office, Google, email)
  • Knowledge of inventory control principles
  • Experience with JD Edwards or SAP

Pay

Salary Range: $18.28 - $21.50 USD per hour. Pay is determined based on experience, qualifications, and location. Salaried employees may be eligible for discretionary bonuses, profit-sharing, and long-term incentives for Executive-level roles.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance
• Paid parental leave and disability coverage
• 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions (subject to eligibility)
• Minimum of 15 vacation/PTO days (120 hours for hourly employees) and 13 paid holidays (vacation days prorated based on hire date)
• Paid sick leave adjusted based on role and location in accordance with local laws