Processing Operator

About the role

Helps assemble, calibrate, operate, and monitor extruder and all auxiliary equipment (pumps, micro-motions, dry coating applicator, tanks, agitators, etc.) of one extrusion system.

Responsibilities

• Inspects and evaluates equipment hourly; adjusts equipment variables to meet equipment and product requirements.
• Frequently dumps/weighs, carries, and stacks up to 50-pound bags of ingredients and/or product.
• Operates forklift and hand-held scanners to remove ingredients from inventory for use in production.
• Affixes to evaluate orders; ensures paperwork is complete and accurate on all processing conditions; completes status reports.
• Calculates rates and performance percentages for product runs.
• Distinguishes colors and duplicates those colors in the extrusion process.
• Establishes and maintains an effective line of communication with Quality Assurance department.
• Thoroughly understands all quality assurance procedures and programs; ensures all products are within individual client specifications.
• Maintains an effective line of communication with Quality Assurance department.
• Evaluates product quality attributes; makes immediate adjustments to correct out-of-specification products.
• Anticipates technical problems; proactively troubleshoots (where appropriate) and makes technical adjustments and/or notifies maintenance.
• Maintains a safe and clean work area and environment.
• Participate in a full facility and equipment clean-up between each product run as directed.
• Ensures required changeovers are completed accurately and efficiently.

Qualifications

• Education level: High school diploma and/or GED preferred.
• Experience: Entry level.
• Willing to work in a team environment and contribute to group goals.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to receive and provide instructions in a positive manner.
• Ability to communicate both verbally and in written form.
• Basic math skills to include addition, subtraction, and percentages.
• Ability to multi-task.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear, walk, and move from place to place.
• The employee is occasionally required to sit, use foot/feet to operate machine, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl or reach above shoulders.
• The employee is frequently required to stand and use hands to finger, handle, or touch.
• The employee must exert 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and / or up to 25 to 50 pounds of force frequently, and / or 10 to 20 pounds of force constantly.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

• The employee may be frequently exposed to allergens and/or airborne particles in the production area.
• Production employees are exposed to temperatures ranging from 50 to 115 degrees, depending on the season and workstation, and may be working near moving mechanical parts.
• Occasional exposure to outdoor weather conditions may occur.
• The noise level in the work environment may be loud while production equipment is running.
• Personal Protection Equipment (including, but not limited to, boots, gloves, safety glasses, and/or face shields) is required during various processes in the production area.
• Ear plugs and bump caps are required at all times in the production area.