Production Operator I - DP 1st Shift (S1249)

About The Wellness Pet Company

The Wellness Pet Company crafts and produces premium natural pet food, treats, and dental chews. They believe in natural, premium nutrition focused on proven health outcomes, aiming to create a mutual wellbeing for pets and their families.

Position Summary

Production Operator I is a full-time hourly position responsible for prepping, handling, freeze-drying and de-traying of meat products. This role also processes and packages treats, blended products, and meat, fulfills customer orders, cleans, organizes, and assists in other areas as needed.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Work with Lead/Supervisor to determine what type of meat needs to be made and when it is needed.
• Achieve the high cleanliness standard necessary for working with raw meat (wash hands often, wear gloves, wear a prep suit, face mask, do not cross-contaminate).
• Weigh trays to the proper weight to ensure proper freeze-drying.
• Visually inspect meat to assure it is up to standards (as set by the Quality Dept. and Supervisor).
• Learn how to operate all Freeze-dryers properly to uphold the integrity and quality of finished product.
• Load and unload carts with proper technique to not damage them.
• De-ice and clean Freeze-dryers on a daily basis.
• Check meat to make sure it is fully finished and sample meat for testing.
• Assign Lot #'s to meat (separating meat by type).
• Build and check pallets.
• Accurately mix, produce, and package products according to production schedules and company standards of quality and food safety.
• Communicate with leadership to ensure efficient and timely delivery of all customer orders.
• Safely operate all machinery required to perform daily duties.
• Anticipate, identify, and correct system breakdowns and process improvements to achieve maximum customer service and satisfaction with production efficiency.
• Report equipment and safety issues and recommendations for improvements.
• Communicate equipment and safety issues and recommendations for improvements.
• Resolve food safety and quality system deficiencies.
• Report food safety and quality system failures and take actions necessary to preserve the BRC system.

Training and Support

• Train new employees as needed.
• Provide direction to other employees as needed, assist others and take direction as needed.
• Be accountable for own actions and hold other employees accountable for their actions (in a respectful and calm manner).
• Motivate and coach other employees as necessary.
• Cross-train in other departments.

Position Requirements

• Regularly required to sit, stand, bend, reach, and move around the facility.
• Exposed to shop elements such as noise, dust, odors, fumes, oil, heat, and cold.
• Exposure to meat handling procedures and safety systems.
• Must be able to lift at least 60 lbs on a regular basis.