Retort Loader Machine Operator - 1st Shift - F&B Manufacturing

Company Overview

Summer Garden Food Manufacturing is a family‑owned and operated company that provides a safe, clean, and friendly work environment. Employees enjoy fun events, lunches, rewards, and other incentives that recognize dedication to the growing business.

Position Summary

Safely and properly operate the loader machine essential to the production of food products. Follow all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Safe Quality Food (SQF) procedures at all times.

Responsibilities

• Change over and operate equipment in the immediate retort work area.
• Clean and sanitize the immediate work area thoroughly.
• Store retort cages safely in the proper area.
• Perform operator‑level adjustments and preventative maintenance on equipment.
• Complete all paperwork and touchscreen entries accurately.
• Direct and train temporary workers to complete rework tasks.
• Follow safety regulations and procedures required by SGFM, Quality, SQF, GMP, OSHA, and Preventative Controls.
• Apply working knowledge of weights, measurements, conversion, and kettle batching.
• Build a team environment within the work area and across the organization.
• Follow instructions and goals set by the supervisor.
• Operate a forklift and pallet jack to move pallets (in‑house certification provided).
• Work under pressure while multitasking.
• Assist with loading retort cages when needed.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the supervisor.
• In the absence of the employee, management will delegate responsibilities to ensure food safety and quality are maintained.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Frequent lifting of material up to 50 lb; ability to push/pull up to 700 lb.
• Fluent reading and writing in English.
• Basic math and reading skills.
• Regular communication (talk, hear, see) and standing, walking, bending.
• Manual dexterity with reach using hands and arms.
• Climbing ladders and stairs often.
• Ability to work in hot/humid conditions (>110 °F) and cold environments (<‑20 °F).
• Ability to bend and go under conveyors.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the food or beverage industry.
• Previous experience in a manufacturing or production environment.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Frequent: Talking, hearing, standing, walking, climbing stairs, stooping, bending, crouching; pushing/pulling; lifting up to 50 lb; using hands/fingers to operate machinery and electronic equipment; exposure to wet, humid conditions and temperature fluctuations.
• Occasional: Squatting, kneeling, reaching above shoulder height; wearing a dust mask; performing confined entry using LOTO program; exposure to toxic and corrosive chemicals.
• Vision: Ability to use close and distance vision, color and peripheral vision (with or without correction) to detect obstacles and hazards in a fast‑paced production environment.
• Hearing: Ability to hear in the normal audio range (with or without correction); exposure to noise from pumps, machinery, forklift traffic, bottle lines, and exhaust fans.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential job functions.