Industrial Cook - day shift - Bellwood, IL

Military Spouse Corporate Career Network•Bellwood, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Industrial Cook operates and maintains computerized cooking kettles used to manufacture starch gelatin products. This day-shift position is based on-site in Bellwood, Illinois, with hours from 4:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The schedule is two days on and two days off, with every other weekend (Saturday, Sunday, and Monday) off. Overtime is required and may involve varying start and end times and weekend work depending on business needs. The cook checks production schedules, sets up and changes over equipment, prepares ingredients and equipment for production runs, and cooks mixed products. The role involves entering product information on a touchscreen panel, feeding raw materials into the cooker, adjusting controls to maintain product quality, and troubleshooting equipment issues. The employee follows work instructions, standard operating procedures, company policies, GMP requirements, and safety standards, and escalates unresolved mechanical issues to maintenance. The position requires awareness of manufacturing and industrial environments. Protective gear is required where appropriate. Employees must be able to stand or walk for extended periods, bend, stoop, reach, and repetitively lift up to 50 pounds. Ferrara offers comprehensive benefits that support health and financial wellness, paid time off, and eligible employees may receive an annual bonus based on company performance. Compensation is $25.50 per hour.

Requirements

Basic mathematical skills.
Basic understanding of equipment capabilities, standards, and proper set points.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing and understand detailed written and/or oral instructions.
Ability to promote teamwork, maintain a good attitude, and demonstrate flexibility and willingness to perform tasks as needed.
Ability to solve problems by adjusting variables in standardized situations.
Ability to pass a certification test on pallet jack and forklift.
High school diploma or GED, or one to three months of related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Ability to walk or stand for prolonged periods and bend, stoop, reach, and repetitively lift up to 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

A minimum of one year of experience batch making and/or working as a cook in food manufacturing is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Check the production schedule to determine the variety and quantity of products to cook.
Lead machine setup and changeovers for production runs, following work instructions, standards, and standard operating procedures.
Identify and resolve issues during setup and changeover.
Identify the ingredients and equipment needed for each production run and enter product information into the touchscreen panel, including raw materials, pumps, gauges, valves, and temperatures.
Feed raw materials—including starch, liquid colored flavors, sugar, corn syrup, and gelatin—into the cooker and cook mixed products.
Adjust controls to regulate temperature, amounts of raw materials, and other variables so product quality exceeds established standards.
Diagnose and resolve mechanical equipment issues at the entry maintenance mechanic level.
Follow escalation protocol promptly when troubleshooting efforts fail and work with maintenance when support is needed.
Adhere to company policies and procedures, GMP requirements, and safety standards.