Operator II - 1st shift (pre-weight)

Stratas Foods•Hillside, NJ

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Operator II operates production machinery—including filling equipment, cappers, labelers, and sealers—to meet customer-order production schedules. The employee may also be assigned to the pre-weigh room to accurately weigh, prepare, and stage ingredients for production. These assignments are performed independently and not concurrently. The role requires technical skill, problem-solving, the ability to manually operate pre-weigh equipment, and basic math skills to weigh spices and raw ingredients according to batch specifications. The Operator II follows safety, environmental, workplace, GMP, HACCP, food safety, and quality requirements; wears required PPE; completes production, quality, downtime, and traceability records; reports hazards and process concerns to the Production Supervisor; and collaborates with other teams to meet production goals. Additional duties may be assigned by the direct Supervisor or Manager. When assigned to production line operations, the employee operates and adjusts machinery, monitors product and equipment, clears jams, reports mechanical issues, records downtime in the CDC system, and supports line operations during Leader absences. When assigned to pre-weigh room operations, the employee prepares and documents ingredients, operates weighing and dispensing equipment, checks raw materials, maintains sanitation and organization, assists with allergen clean-outs and inventory, coordinates ingredient delivery, and helps receive and store raw materials. The position is performed in a manufacturing plant in Hillside. The work environment may include loud noise, dust, dirt, heat, sparks, oil, and smoke. Required PPE includes safety glasses, steel-toed shoes, and appropriate clothing. Employees regularly stand, walk, use their hands, reach, stretch, bend, kneel, crouch, climb, and balance, and regularly lift or move up to 30 pounds. Close, color, and peripheral vision are required, as are the ability to hear, see, speak, smell, and touch well.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Ability to perform basic math for accurate weighing, measuring, and documentation in a food manufacturing environment.
Ability to work independently and remain self-guided and motivated.
Strong multitasking skills.
Ability to work well under pressure.
Two to three years of experience in a similar role and industry.
Ability to meet the role’s physical demands, including regularly lifting or moving up to 30 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Experience operating in a fast-paced, ready-to-eat food facility.
Bilingual English/Spanish.

Responsibilities

Follow safety, environmental, and workplace rules and regulations.
Adhere to GMP, HACCP, food safety, and quality requirements, and wear required PPE.
Complete production, quality, downtime, and traceability documentation accurately.
Identify and report safety hazards, quality concerns, and process deviations to the Production Supervisor.
Collaborate across Production, Quality, Sanitation, and Warehouse teams to meet daily production goals, and assist other production areas as needed.
Operate filling equipment, cappers, labelers, sealers, and related production machinery when assigned to line operations.
Adjust machines, set stops and guides, and configure parameters according to product specifications and material requirements.
Monitor equipment operations for defects or malfunctions; identify potential mechanical issues and promptly report them.
Stop, reset, and clear equipment jams, and report impairments to the Production Supervisor.
Record downtime reasons in the CDC system and support line operations during Leader absences by maintaining equipment operation, monitoring quality, and escalating issues.
Weigh and prepare spices and raw ingredients according to batch sheets, formulas, and production schedules when assigned to pre-weigh room operations.
Label, seal, store, and stage ingredients to prevent cross-contamination; accurately record lot numbers, weights, and traceability information.
Safely operate scales, blenders, dispensing equipment, and related tools.
Perform basic raw-material quality checks, including visual inspection and assessment of odor and condition.
Maintain Pre-Weigh Room cleanliness and organization in accordance with GMP and sanitation requirements.
Assist with allergen clean-outs when switching products or formulas.
Coordinate with Mixers and Operators to deliver pre-weighed ingredients on time.
Assist with inventory counts and report shortages or discrepancies to supervision.
Assist with receiving and storing raw materials and verifying deliveries against specifications.
Identify and report out-of-specification materials, documentation errors, and safety hazards.
Perform additional duties as required by the direct Supervisor or Manager.