Extruder Operator ($1,500 Sign-On Bonus!)

Mars•Mattoon, IL

5d•$25 - $30

About The Position

Here at Mars we have an exciting opportunity for an individual seeking employment to come and join our factory team as an Extruder Operator. The Extruder Operator will be a multi-skilled packing associate who is responsible for achieving maximum efficiency of our packing lines whilst ensuring the highest safety and quality standards are maintained. The extruder operator will also play a pivotal role in identifying and delivering continuous improvement projects within the packaging hall.

Requirements

Associates degree or equivalent of 2-3 years’ experience (manufacturing environment preferred).
Good math, reading and writing skills.
High level of mechanical aptitude and knowledge with good skills in troubleshooting and problem solving.
Excellent housekeeping skills and knowledge of GMP's.
Good knowledge of personal computers.
Ability and willingness to develop and manage self, demonstrate self directed workgroup leadership and contribute to efficiency, quality and cost optimization with minimal supervision and a positive attitude.
The position will be physically demanding.
The successful candidate must have:
Ability to lift 50 lbs
Ability to work 12 hour rotating shift
Ability to work under variable conditions such as heat, cold, high and /or confined spaces.
Ability to climb ladders
Ability to travel up and down stairs, repetitively
Ability to do repetitive bending and twisting
Ability to work with hazardous chemicals (phosphoric acid) and work with exposure to pressurized steam.
Forklift certified

Responsibilities

Perform all of the following duties on a rotational basis in the processing area of the plant. This includes operating all systems, performing all quality checks, maintaining conformance reports and system logs, and troubleshooting all aspects of each system : Batching - schedule, batch and assure accurate dispersion of the correct commodities, control hardstock grinding and amounts into each recipe that is delivered to the mixed meal system.
Extrusion - extrude mixed meal and dry kibbles that meet all quality specifications and optimize plant capacity.
Coating - coat and blend kibbles with tallow and digest into the finished product according to recipe requirements; coordinate with packaging and extrusion to optimize product stream and bunker inventory levels.
Manage and set strategy for the five processing systems to ensure meeting or exceeding production schedule in the most efficient manner possible.
Maintain a safe and clean work environment to promote associate safety and product integrity.
Ability to actively address food safety and quality concerns.
Troubleshoot processing systems that are not performing properly and take corrective action to ensure product quality while minimizing unnecessary downtime.
Improve operations through individual and group problem solving and provide leadership in solving problems on the floor and in meetings.
Promote high quality team environment through effective team work and self-management with a positive attitude.
Able to start and stop extrusion system with 90 days of assignment to area
Able to perform all testing and sampling in extrusion area and complete conformance sheets accurately
Demonstrates knowledge of area GMP’s
Demonstrates basic understanding of the process flow and equipment in the immediate area
Able to make Color, clean & assemble die plates, and forklift experience
Able to safely operate all equipment and systems in extrusion LOTO training complete
Demonstrates understanding of E-stop strategy for area and can locate all E-stops
Able to do weekly processing start up and shut down procedures
Able to identify quality issues and make parameter adjustments to correct these
Able to set up for any recipe and input initial parameters and run effectively on any extrusion system
Able to run Quality and R&D test
Takes ownership for area in terms of safety and housekeeping
Understand the meat process
Demonstrates a thorough understanding of all equipment in the area, how it operates, what normal conditions are, and can identify abnormal conditions
Able to assist in identifying solutions to problems and short term alternatives to circumvent problems
Demonstrates ability to consistently run all KKM products at 95% A grade while optimizing moisture and minimizing regrind
Able to optimize extruder efficiency by balancing finished product inventory mixed meal level and extruder rates
Able to accurately troubleshoot mechanical and controls system issues
Able to help maintenance/tech services find long term solutions to problems in area
Able to cover for one other processing position, and keeps up to date in that area
Able to provide on-the-job training for new process associates on extruder operation, quality parameters, GMP’s, and safety
Able to understand and adjust the schedule when needed
Demonstrates consistent application of product knowledge in solving quality issues
Able to work with engineering and maintenance to make upgrades to area systems
Works on PMs on a regular basis
Maintain a clean, safe work environment that promotes associate safety and product integrity.
Improve operations through individual and group problem solving and provide leadership in solving problems on the floor and in meetings.
Promote high quality team environment through effective team work and self-direction with a positive attitude.
Obtain and maintain proficiency in job specific business systems such as Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel systems.
Remain current with facility utilized business systems.
May have to perform special non-routine tasks associated with corporate requests, projects and tests
Participate in site action circles and focus groups as appropriate.
Train other area associates in operation of all areas and systems.
Other duties as required.