Automation Operator II - Evening Shift Seed Packing

Johnny's Selected Seeds•Winslow, ME

9d•$23 - $23•Onsite

About The Position

Johnny's Selected Seeds is hiring a full-time, year-round Automation Operator II for evening-shift seed packing at its Winslow, Maine facility. The position's standard schedule is Monday through Friday, 2:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., with some required overtime. Starting pay is $24.66 per hour, consisting of $22.66 per hour plus a $2.00 evening-shift differential. The Automation Operator II is the primary operator of seed packing automation equipment and provides operational leadership for equipment and personnel across the shift. The role oversees workflow, sets the pace, helps the supervisor with daily work, and leads issue resolution to support safe operation, accurate documentation, optimized performance, and timely order fulfillment. Work is cross-functional and may include equipment maintenance, systems troubleshooting, gathering seed, and putting away finished goods. When automated workload changes, the operator also performs standard Seed Packing OA II duties, including hand packing. The role may oversee full-time and seasonal staff in different business areas as needed. Johnny's Selected Seeds was established in 1973 and is 100% employee-owned. Its mission is to help families, friends, and communities feed one another by providing superior seeds, tools, information, and service. The company serves direct-market growers and home gardeners, offering selected seeds, tools, supplies, and information.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Strong computer, math, and organizational skills.
Ability to learn, operate, and troubleshoot automated seed packing equipment and related production systems.
Strong leadership skills and ability to lead a team in a fast-paced production environment.
Ability to manage multiple priorities while balancing personnel, workflow, and equipment demands.
High comprehension of workflow processes, including automated packaging operations, material flow, and production scheduling.
Excellent attention to accuracy and detail, especially with seed counts, packaging specifications, equipment settings, and production documentation.
Ability to document, interpret, and maintain SOPs, work instructions, equipment logs, and production records.
Ability to identify equipment performance issues and work effectively with Operations, Maintenance, and Quality to resolve them.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining safety, quality, and productivity standards.
Ability to adapt to changing priorities, production schedules, and evolving business needs.
Commitment to continuous improvement and optimization of automated processes and workflows.
Ability to read, communicate, and work with numbers.
Ability to bend, pull, push, and repetitively lift up to 70 pounds.
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, up to 80% of the workday.
Ability to perform repetitive hand, wrist, and arm movements; climb stationary ladders and access equipment platforms; and reach, stoop, kneel, crouch, and maneuver around production equipment.
Ability to visually inspect products, packaging, labels, and machine operation accurately.
Ability to hear machine alarms, equipment notifications, and verbal instructions in a manufacturing environment.
Ability to work safely around moving mechanical equipment and follow lockout/tagout and other safety procedures.
Ability to work in varying warehouse and production conditions, including dust, noise, and seasonal temperature fluctuations.

Nice To Haves

Experience training, coaching, and mentoring employees on equipment operation, safety procedures, and best practices.

Responsibilities

Adhere to and promote company safety practices and share the company's mission and values.
Monitor departmental workflow to support efficient operations and accurate product inventories.
Communicate with all departments and help maintain a harmonious work environment.
Ensure staff follow workplace policies; assist with new-hire training and ongoing employee development.
Provide feedback to employees and report opportunities, issues, successes, and performance observations to supervisors, management, or HR as appropriate.
Participate in process-improvement initiatives.
Operate, monitor, and troubleshoot automated seed packing equipment to meet production goals, quality standards, and customer-service expectations.
Lead seed packing automation operations by coordinating workflow, prioritizing work, and efficiently using equipment and personnel.
Develop, maintain, and follow SOPs, work instructions, production records, and other process documentation.
Complete equipment logs, production reports, changeover documentation, and other operational records accurately.
Train and mentor employees on safe equipment operation, setup, changeover, troubleshooting, and best practices.
Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, and Engineering to identify equipment issues, improve system performance, and implement process improvements.
Support preventative maintenance, equipment upgrades, testing, and implementation of new automation technologies.
Perform workflow tasks that vary with customer and business needs, including standard seed-packing work such as hand packing when required.
Work overtime and/or weekends as needed.