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

Mars•Mattoon, IL

8d•$25 - $30•Onsite

About The Position

Mars has an exciting opportunity for an individual seeking employment to join our factory team as an Extruder Operator. The Extruder Operator will be a multi-skilled packing associate responsible for achieving maximum efficiency of our packing lines while ensuring the highest safety and quality standards are maintained. This role will also play a pivotal role in identifying and delivering continuous improvement projects within the packaging hall. This position is an entry-level role into the Extrusion/Processing role and will develop capability to perform various responsibilities on a rotational basis in the processing area of the plant. This includes operating all systems, performing quality checks, maintaining conformance reports and system logs, and troubleshooting all aspects of each system.

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.
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 duties on a rotational basis in the processing area of the plant, including operating all systems, performing all quality checks, maintaining conformance reports and system logs, and troubleshooting all aspects of each system.
Schedule, batch, and assure accurate dispersion of correct commodities, control hardstock grinding and amounts into each recipe delivered to the mixed meal system.
Extrude mixed meal and dry kibbles that meet all quality specifications and optimize plant capacity.
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.
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 a high-quality team environment through effective teamwork and self-management with a positive attitude.
Start and stop extrusion system with 90 days of assignment to area.
Perform all testing and sampling in the extrusion area and complete conformance sheets accurately.
Demonstrate knowledge of area GMP’s.
Demonstrate basic understanding of the process flow and equipment in the immediate area.
Make Color, clean & assemble die plates, and forklift experience.
Safely operate all equipment and systems in extrusion.
Complete LOTO training.
Demonstrate understanding of E-stop strategy for area and locate all E-stops.
Perform weekly processing start up and shut down procedures.
Identify quality issues and make parameter adjustments to correct them.
Set up for any recipe, input initial parameters, and run effectively on any extrusion system.
Run Quality and R&D tests.
Take ownership for area in terms of safety and housekeeping.
Understand the meat process.
Demonstrate a thorough understanding of all equipment in the area, how it operates, what normal conditions are, and can identify abnormal conditions.
Assist in identifying solutions to problems and short-term alternatives to circumvent problems.
Consistently run all KKM products at 95% A grade while optimizing moisture and minimizing regrind.
Optimize extruder efficiency by balancing finished product inventory, mixed meal level, and extruder rates.
Accurately troubleshoot mechanical and controls system issues.
Help maintenance/tech services find long-term solutions to problems in the area.
Cover for one other processing position and keep up-to-date in that area.
Provide on-the-job training for new process associates on extruder operation, quality parameters, GMP’s, and safety.
Understand and adjust the schedule when needed.
Demonstrate consistent application of product knowledge in solving quality issues.
Work with engineering and maintenance to make upgrades to area systems.
Work 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 a high-quality team environment through effective teamwork 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 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.