Industrial Cook - day shift - Bellwood, IL

VetJobs•Bellwood, IL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Industrial Cook operates and maintains computerized cooking kettles used to manufacture starch gelatin products. The role involves preparing and cooking products according to production schedules, work instructions, standards, and SOPs, while ensuring product quality and compliance with company policies, GMP, and safety standards. This is an onsite day-shift position with hours of 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 working weekends based on business needs. The position requires protective gear where appropriate and the ability to walk or stand for prolonged periods, bend, stoop, reach, and repetitively lift up to 50 pounds.

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 and demonstrate a good attitude, flexibility, and willingness to perform tasks as needed.
Ability to solve problems by adjusting variables in standardized situations.
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 pass certification tests on a pallet jack and forklift.
Ability to work overtime, including varying start and end times and weekends depending on business needs.
Ability to walk or stand for prolonged periods and to bend, stoop, reach, and repetitively lift up to 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Check production schedules to determine the variety and quantity of products to cook.
Lead machine setup and changeovers for production runs.
Follow work instructions, standards, and SOPs for equipment setup and changeovers.
Identify and resolve issues during setup and changeovers.
Identify 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 the cooker raw materials, including starch, liquid colored flavors, sugar, corn syrup, and gelatin, and cook mixed products.
Adjust controls to regulate temperature, raw-material quantities, and other variables to ensure product quality exceeds established standards.
Diagnose and resolve equipment mechanical issues at the entry maintenance mechanic level.
Follow escalation protocols in a timely manner when troubleshooting efforts fail.
Work with maintenance when a mechanical issue requires maintenance support.
Adhere to company policies and procedures, GMP, and safety standards.