Operator - Production (Production)

Freshpet Talent Acquisition•Ennis, TX

6d•$22

About The Position

As a Production Operator at Freshpet, you will help produce fresh foods for pets by operating production equipment and moving ingredients through cooking and packaging processes. The role involves handling raw ingredients, operating machinery, packaging finished food, maintaining production and quality records, and keeping equipment and work areas clean and sanitary. Operators follow safety, food-safety, company, and production procedures while working independently and as part of a team in a refrigerated food manufacturing environment. This position is listed as a night shift role. The base rate is $21.70 per hour, plus a $3.00 shift differential.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
At least 1 year of production experience in manufacturing; food or beverage industry experience is ideal.
Ability to work independently and within a team.
Solid problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Ability to work in a refrigerated food manufacturing environment at 40 degrees.
Ability to frequently lift, push, and pull 50 pounds without assistance.
Ability to frequently kneel, squat, bend, stoop, twist, and reach overhead with repetitive motion.
Ability to spend significant time standing on the manufacturing floor.
Basic computer skills, including Microsoft D365 ERP and Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

Perform duties with a safety-first approach and support a “Safety First” culture.
Process and cook raw meat, vegetables, and dry ingredients.
Manually load ingredients and operate machines using a computer terminal and PLC touch screens.
Package cooked product in plastic packaging, pack it into boxes, palletize it, and shrink-wrap it.
Record product data during the shift, including cooking times and temperatures, batch ingredient verification, and finished product count and inventory.
Start up, assemble and disassemble, change over, and shut down processing machinery and line equipment.
Complete paperwork related to production schedule inventory, the HACCP plan, and quality standards.
Operate all machines in the processing area.
Weigh and stage ingredients for batch making.
Follow applicable SOPs and corrective action procedures.
Clean and sanitize machine parts, equipment, and other areas.
Ensure food-safety standards, including GMPs and the HACCP plan, are followed by self and fellow employees.
Follow established company policies and those outlined in the Employee Handbook.
Perform other duties as assigned.