Operator Assistant

Novolex • Yakima, WA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Novolex is a leading manufacturer of food, beverage, and specialty packaging. The Operator Assistant position at Novolex in Yakima is an hourly/non-exempt role, primarily focused on ensuring product quality, accurate packaging, and precise data collection before shipment. Employees are expected to work 12-hour shifts on a monthly rotation between day and night shifts. The role involves inspecting products for quality aspects like size, print, and seal, as well as proper packaging and labeling according to job ticket instructions. The assistant is also responsible for accurate data entry for production and scrap, and maintaining correct roll and case weights. Additionally, the position involves training for operator duties, including basic adjustments and understanding of bag machinery and the extrusion process. Adherence to GMP and food safety policies, and reporting any food safety concerns, are critical aspects of the job.

Requirements

• Ability to read a tape measure
• Basic math skills
• Good communication skills
• Ability to pass a color blind test

Nice To Haves

• HS Diploma or GED
• Previous manufacturing experience
• Some previous computer data entry

Responsibilities

• Ensure that product is being inspected for quality including, size, print and seal quality prior to shipment to customer.
• Accurate packaging and data collection for each order.
• Consider food safety and consumer safety while performing work.
• Participate in GMP and food safety training.
• Follow GMP policy.
• Report all food safety concerns with urgency.
• Check job ticket extrusion instructions.
• Note any size or gauge tolerances.
• Note any special packaging or labeling instructions.
• Check product to ensure it conforms to job ticket specs.
• Verify size and seal.
• Complete “Size and Seal” Chart (not S.P.C. Charts).
• Understand importance of size and seal checks.
• Verify that gussets are set up correctly.
• Check bags for defects (Blocking, Gels, blending problems, Dirty Die Face).
• Check bag with sample to ensure print is correct.
• Have operator verify ink color on sample swatch & monitor ink color.
• Check product for treat.
• Calculate bag weight in computer.
• Responsible for proper packaging of products.
• Obtain proper packaging information from job ticket.
• Know pallet and crib sizes.
• Be familiar with different box sizes.
• Need to know location of packaging supplies.
• Need to make up three hour supply of boxes/supplies.
• Product must be packaged in a neat and professional manner.
• Bags should be packaged neatly.
• Responsible for entering production in computer.
• Understand importance of correct data entries.
• Weigh every other roll/box & notify operator if not correct.
• Weigh all roll stock.
• Track all scrap and make entries in data collection.
• Responsible for correct job start and stop times.
• Weigh every other roll/box and notify operator if weight changes +/- 5% of target.
• For roll stock - 18" and above: Every roll must be weighed.
• For 2-up and 4-up rolls -18" and below: Must alternate weighing the top and bottom sets during roll change.
• For bins of bags: Must weigh complete layers as per QC check-sheet.
• On start-ups, change-overs, or shift change: Every roll/box and layer in the bins must be weighed until the target weight is achieved.
• Obtain proper labeling information from job ticket.
• Responsible for printing labels.
• Ensure labeling is done correctly and neatly.
• Ensure labels are centered and lined up on the box.
• Ensure that pallet/bin labels are correctly completed.
• Responsible for inserting a white label, with correct weight, into core.
• Train for operator duties and responsibilities, including being able and willing to learn downstream equipment and maintenance operations.
• Be able to perform basic adjustments on bag machinery, including changing curtains during downtime, changing knife blades, adjusting length during changeovers, adjusting web tension and initial seal setup.
• Be able to thread all downstream equipment.
• Must have basic understanding of extrusion process.
• Be able to make minor adjustments to stripper to improve bag delivery.
• Be able to adjust tension on winder and understand how it affects the roll.
• Must be able to keep tools and miscellaneous metal parts off floor (out of scrap).

Benefits

• Comprehensive and competitive benefits that include medical, dental and vision insurance
• Variety of other well-being resources focused on mental, physical and financial health
• Opportunities for advancement
• Skills development programs
• Advanced education programs
• Training and development programs and courses available through LITMOS
• Company and industry training curricula
• Support for formal education through the Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Learning Management System that supports and enhances employee skills at all levels of the organization

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees