Operator 1 - 1st Shift

Florida Crystals / ASR Group•Buffalo, NY

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Packaging Operator is responsible for safely operating, monitoring, and maintaining packaging and related production equipment to support consistent, high‑quality manufacturing output. This role ensures that products are packed accurately, safely, and in compliance with food safety, quality, and regulatory standards while completing required documentation. The Operator I role involves working from SOPs under direct supervision, performing basic operating tasks and minor adjustments, and escalating issues promptly.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent experience required
Manufacturing or food production experience preferred
Mechanical aptitude and willingness to learn technical skills
Ability to follow instructions, safety rules, and standard procedures
Ability to learn new tasks, equipment, and processes through training
Ability to work safely and maintain attention to detail in a production environment
Ability to use basic tools and equipment safely
Ability to observe conditions, recognize when something is not normal, and report issues
Ability to communicate effectively with team members and supervision
Ability to maintain accuracy, reliability, and focus during routine and repetitive work
Ability to adapt to changing priorities, assignments, and production needs
Ability to work rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, and overtime as business needs require

Responsibilities

Operate assigned packaging machine(s) or production equipment under supervision and according to SOPs
Perform startup, shutdown, operation, and changeovers with some oversight according to procedures
Learn emergency procedures, E-stop locations, and basic Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) awareness
Ability to understand and follow assigned production schedules.
Feed packaging materials to equipment and remove finished product as required
Perform basic operational adjustments, including clearing jams, cleaning sensors, and making minor part positioning corrections
Performs quality control by inspecting equipment, critical control points (e.g. metal detector, magnets, screen, etc. and perform weight checks)
Accurately complete required production documentation (e.g. quality, and food safety documentation, production counts, downtime, and scrap/reject reporting to support OEE tracking)
Use and understand production and equipment systems to support equipment operation and efficiency. Knowledge in technological applications (e.g. RedZone, Beyond Trucks, Access, Sage etc.) to evaluate line performance/OEE and record production data
Basic understanding of HMI/PLC screens indicating operational efficiency
Operate forklifts and material‑handling equipment once trained and authorized, as needed
Use basic hand tools safely as required for assigned tasks
Identify and report abnormal equipment operation, quality/packaging defects, material issues, or unsafe conditions
Immediately report equipment damage, spills, accidents, near-misses, injuries, downtime, or any food safety/quality concerns to supervision
Perform assigned cleaning, sanitation, and housekeeping tasks
Follow all company safety rules, food safety programs, GMPs, and sanitation requirements
Demonstrate correct use of required personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times
Maintains a positive, professional, and team‑oriented approach; is approachable and works effectively with others to support production needs.
Participate in required classroom, on-the-job, and cross-training activities
Follow assigned work and break schedules
Perform other duties as assigned in support of production operations