Automation Line Operator- Weekend Day

Utz Brands•HANOVER, PA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Utz Quality Foods is hiring an Automation Line Operator at its Kindig Lane facility. This full-time role works Friday through Sunday from 5:30 AM to 5:30 PM, with overtime as needed to support production demand. The operator serves as the primary point of contact on the automation line, leading day-to-day operations, monitoring performance, and supporting the operation and basic maintenance of robotic palletizers and conveyor systems that stack and move product cases. The role helps keep production safe and efficient by guiding team members, communicating with leadership, addressing operational issues, and contributing to continuous improvement. The operator uses human-machine interfaces to operate and troubleshoot equipment, monitors production indicators, performs equipment inspections and cleaning, documents operator care, and follows safety and lockout/tagout procedures. The position works in a production environment with noise, heat, and moving machinery and requires standing and walking for 8–12 hours per shift. Utz describes itself as a family-heritage snack food company with brands including Utz, Zapp’s, Boulder Canyon, and On the Border. The company says it offers a supportive, caring, and inclusive environment with opportunities for career growth and advancement. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision plans, an employer 401(k) match, a profit-sharing plan, and an employee stock purchase plan.

Requirements

1–2 years of manufacturing or food packaging experience preferred.
Comfort working with robotic arms, conveyors, and automated systems.
Basic understanding of alarms, machine interfaces, and troubleshooting methods.
Strong attention to detail and ability to follow procedures and schedules.
Good written and verbal communication skills and a team-focused attitude.
Forklift or pallet jack certification.
Basic understanding of mechanical and electrical automation systems.
Ability to stand and walk for 8–12 hours per shift.
Ability to work in a production environment with noise, heat, and moving machinery.

Nice To Haves

Technical training in automation or robotics.
Familiarity with barcode scanners, vision systems, and label printers.
Awareness of Lean or Six Sigma practices.
Knowledge of PLC systems or programming languages.

Responsibilities

Ensure safe operation of the Automation area by verifying that personnel follow lockout/tagout procedures and safety protocols.
Supervise and deploy Automation Operators, Jackpot Lane Operators, and Forklift Material Handlers during the shift.
Serve as the primary point of contact during assigned shifts and facilitate communication among leaders of P3, P4, and the RDC Operation to address automation issues.
Be responsible for identified key metrics.
Ensure completion and movement of RAF pallets to the RDC at the end of the shift.
Monitor system indicators, including box count, pallet output, and sensor flags, to track performance and identify improvement opportunities.
Oversee daily equipment inspections and cleaning at the beginning and end of each shift.
Ensure compliance with 5’s standards in the designated area.
Assist in recommending case dimensions, fill/count levels, and pallet configurations that could improve palletizing reliability.
Communicate opportunities to improve safety, quality, and service levels in equipment and processes.
Complete operator care tasks and accurately document them.
Use human-machine interfaces (HMI) to start, stop, reset, and troubleshoot equipment.
Ensure correct case orientation and stacking patterns based on SKU and customer requirements.
Clear jams and alarms safely and quickly, and restart the system when needed.
Maintain cleanliness in the automation area, including sensors, sweep zones, and trash removal.
Report and log mechanical issues and downtime events through Redzone.
Perform light maintenance and assist with troubleshooting equipment issues.