Operator 1 - 2nd Shift

ASR Group•Buffalo, NY

About The Position

The Packaging Operator safely operates, monitors, and maintains packaging and related production equipment to support consistent, high-quality manufacturing output. The role ensures products are packed accurately and safely in compliance with food safety, quality, and regulatory standards, and completes required documentation. Responsibilities and independence vary by operator level: Operator I works from standard operating procedures under direct supervision and performs basic operating tasks and minor adjustments; Operator II operates independently, completes changeovers, performs intermediate troubleshooting, coordinates material flow, and supports training and continuous improvement; Operator III serves as a technical resource across multiple lines, leads advanced troubleshooting and root-cause support, mentors operators, and supports audits and standardization. The position requires following assigned schedules and production needs, completing cleaning and sanitation duties, and maintaining a safe and orderly manufacturing environment. The role may require working rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, and overtime as business needs require. The work environment includes noise, dust, varying temperatures, and moving equipment. The position requires regular standing, walking, bending, reaching, pushing, pulling, grasping, kneeling, climbing stairs or ladders, and handling loads up to 50 pounds. Required PPE must be worn for the duration of the shift. Travel to other ASR/Ingredients Plus locations may be required as business needs arise. The role pays $23 per hour. A high school diploma, GED, or equivalent experience is required; manufacturing or food production experience is preferred. Mechanical aptitude and willingness to learn technical skills are also required.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent experience.
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 abnormalities, 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.
Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with noise, dust, varying temperatures, and moving equipment.
Ability to regularly stand, walk, bend, reach, push, pull, grasp, kneel, and climb stairs or ladders.
Ability to regularly lift, move, and handle up to 50 pounds.
Ability to wear required PPE for the duration of the work shift.

Nice To Haves

Manufacturing or food production experience.
Experience or knowledge using production technology applications such as RedZone, Beyond Trucks, Access, or Sage.

Responsibilities

Operate assigned packaging machines or production equipment in accordance with procedures and assigned level of supervision.
Perform equipment startup, shutdown, operation, and changeovers according to procedures.
Feed packaging materials to equipment and remove finished product as needed.
Make operational adjustments, clear jams, clean sensors, and correct part positioning as appropriate to the operator level.
Inspect equipment and critical control points, including metal detectors, magnets, and screens, and perform weight checks.
Complete production, quality, food safety, production-count, downtime, and scrap/reject documentation accurately.
Use production and equipment systems to support operation, efficiency, and production data recording.
Operate forklifts and material-handling equipment when trained and authorized, as needed.
Use hand tools and, as required by the operator level, advanced hand tools and power or pneumatic tools safely.
Identify and report abnormal equipment operation, quality or packaging defects, material issues, and unsafe conditions.
Immediately report equipment damage, spills, accidents, near-misses, injuries, downtime, and food safety or quality concerns to supervision.
Perform assigned cleaning, sanitation, and housekeeping tasks and support sanitation coordination and production transitions as applicable.
Follow company safety rules, food safety programs, GMPs, sanitation requirements, and PPE requirements.
Participate in classroom, on-the-job, and cross-training activities; provide guidance or training to other operators as applicable to the operator level.
Follow assigned work and break schedules and adapt to changing assignments and production needs.
Troubleshoot equipment and make adjustments within the scope of the role; escalate issues and coordinate with Maintenance as appropriate.
Monitor OEE drivers and process stability, take corrective action within scope, and support OEE improvement and reduction of downtime and defects.
Coordinate downtime, quality concerns, material shortages, and equipment issues; escalate recurring issues with recommended actions.
Maintain accurate inventory counts for materials used in assigned areas and support material staging and operational readiness as appropriate.
Support root-cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions, standardization, continuous improvement, audits, inspections, and verification activities as applicable to the operator level.
Maintain strong attendance, reliability, safety, accountability, and operational discipline.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of production operations.