Processing Operator

Description Of Essential Duties

• Set up, calibrate, operate, monitor and perform basic trouble shooting of extrusion and auxiliary equipment; adjust equipment variables to meet equipment and product requirements
• Calculate rates and performance percentages for product runs
• Afford assistance to clients through research and development/test work
• Safely operate forklift and scissor lift; ability to obtain Alphia Foods certification
• Accountable for maintaining and sustaining FIFO program
• Perform QA duties as necessary, to include, but not limited to:
• Immediately report all quality issues to Extruder Lead or Supervisor
• Collect samples and perform analysis using provided equipment
• Know and monitor HACCP compliance in-Process
• Distinguish colors and duplicate in the extrusion process
• Thoroughly understand all quality assurance procedures and programs that relate to the position; ensure all products are within individual client specifications
• Follow microbial control and regulatory/temperature requirements; ACS, burnout, etc.
• Complete required paperwork accurately and completely
• Proficient in Alphia. Foods Business Systems (i.e. JDE, IQS, Sage, etc) as it applies to the position
• Anticipate technical problems; proactively troubleshoots (where appropriate) and makes technical adjustments and/or notifies maintenance
• Perform operator-level preventive maintenance on assigned equipment
• Work with Maintenance and Supervisor to identify potential line improvements
• Acknowledge and adhere to the requirement to work only in job-specific designated area
• Participate in a full facility and equipment clean-up as directed
• Ensure the requirements of the CCP are met, and if a deviation occurs, notify Supervisor and Quality departments to hold all affected product
• Safely operate forklift (must obtain Alphia Foods certification)

Qualification Requirements

• High school diploma and/or GED required
• Previous extrusion experience preferred
• Basic math skills to include addition, subtraction and percentages
• Basic computer skills
• Willing to work in a team environment and contribute to group goals
• Ability to work independently, with minimal supervision
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally, in written form, and via radio
• Ability to receive and provide instructions in a positive manner
• Ability to obtain Alphia Foods Lock Out / Tag Out certification
• 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