Blend Operator

Danone•Jacksonville, FL

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Danone is hiring a Blend Operator in Jacksonville, Florida, to support manufacturing operations and meet production demand. The role operates wet and dry mix blending and batching processes, assists with machinery setup, and starts and shuts down production lines. The operator dismantles and reassembles pipe and valve networks, handles ingredients and components, makes machine adjustments using computer monitors, and receives milk, cream, sugar, corn syrup, and other ingredients. The position supports product quality, food safety, maintenance, and continuous improvement. Duties include maintaining accurate written and electronic records, attending to product reviews in the quality control lab, following dairy and staff controls and HACCP requirements, completing preventive maintenance and routine operator maintenance, addressing minor equipment problems, and coordinating repairs with maintenance personnel. The operator follows plant procedures and standards, including GMP, QMS, AIB, FDA, IWS, and 5S, and participates in team meetings, training, inspections, improvement activities, and IWS pillar deployment. The role may also include driving a yard truck to deliver trailers and assisting, training, and coaching employees. Work takes place in a manufacturing environment with moderate noise, temperature variations, wet, cold, or humid conditions, moving machinery, potential chemical exposure, and heavy lifting. The employee frequently stands on concrete for shifts of 8, 10, or 12 hours. Work schedules may include nights, weekends, and holidays to support a 24/7 operation. Required PPE includes safety glasses, hearing protection, and sanitary footwear. Physical demands include frequent standing, walking, sitting, using hands and tools, reaching, climbing stairs and ladders, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, talking, and hearing, as well as lifting or moving up to 60 pounds. Danone North America offers benefits including medical, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, a 401(k) plan, wellness program, life insurance, tuition reimbursement, flexible time off, and paid parental bonding leave, among other benefit plan options.

Requirements

High school education or GED.
Achieve and maintain required certifications.
Learn all job functions and complete required training within a reasonable amount of time.
Basic PC skills.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Proven decision-making ability.
Ability to prioritize and multitask.
Ability to read and understand written instructions and maintain accurate written records.
Ability to work various hours and shifts, including overtime when required.
Flexibility.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including lifting or moving up to 60 pounds.

Responsibilities

Dismantle and reassemble pipe and valve networks, and transfer components to and from cleaning basins between floor and overhead levels.
Assist with machinery setup and start up or shut down production lines as needed.
Read computer monitors and adjust machinery settings and speeds to specifications.
Operate wet and dry mix blending and batching processes as needed.
Use hand tools and cleaning equipment, including clamps and wrenches.
Maintain written and electronic records required by federal and state regulations, including dairy and staff control records and HACCP records.
Attend to product reviews in the quality control lab as required.
Complete paperwork clearly, legibly, accurately, and with all required information.
Keep clean-and-inspect and lubrication standards current and completed on time; maintain lubrication logs.
Complete preventive maintenance and routine operator maintenance tasks; assist with equipment diagnostics, repairs, and rebuilds, and work with maintenance or others on non-routine repairs and defect handling.
Monitor equipment for malfunctions and defects, resolve minor problems without assistance, and eliminate potential threats to production.
Communicate recurring problems, repair needs, and product-integrity concerns to appropriate personnel.
Use root-cause analysis and complete preventive maintenance to support sustainable corrective actions.
Communicate with other departments, management, and employees about problems and concerns, while supporting continuous improvement.
Identify and help correct process-improvement opportunities, including creating and documenting centerlines, SOPs, work instructions, preventive maintenance standards, and One Point Lessons, and participating in improvement events.
Follow QMS, GMP, and 5S practices to maintain a clean, sanitary, safe, and audit-ready work area.
Participate in pillar activities such as observations, inspections, and recommendations related to quality, focused improvement, and safety.
Support plant production needs and priorities to achieve plant goals.
Facilitate, attend, and participate in team meetings and programs.
Drive a yard truck to deliver trailers to doors as needed.
Assist, train, and coach employees.
Receive milk and cream tankers, sugar, corn syrup, and other ingredients for blending.
Adhere to plant standards and procedures, and participate in implementing and deploying the Integrated Work Systems system and its pillars.
Perform other duties as assigned or as needs become evident.