Little Falls Packaging OP 3rd

Barrett Petfood•Little Falls, MN

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Barrett Petfood is hiring a full-time Operator at its Little Falls, Minnesota facility. This is an onsite manufacturing role on the third shift, Monday through Friday from 10:00 PM to 6:30 AM. The Operator works as part of a high-performance team to produce quality pet food, prioritize safety, and support continuous improvement. Compensation is $20.50–$24.00 per hour, plus a $3.00-per-hour shift differential. The role involves setting up and operating packaging equipment, monitoring product quality, coordinating with coworkers and material handlers, and helping troubleshoot production issues. Operators also complete and maintain quality checks and documentation, support sanitation verification, and notify supervisors or maintenance when issues arise. The work requires standing and walking for extended periods, handling loads up to 50 pounds, and performing tasks such as bending, reaching, climbing, stooping, and kneeling. Employees routinely use stairs and ladders and may work from a scissor lift to access elevated equipment and production areas. Conditions may be hot, cold, wet, humid, noisy, or subject to temperature fluctuations. Employment may include background and consumer report screening, including possible future screening during employment as permitted by law.

Requirements

Strong attention to detail to maintain product quality and safe production practices.
Problem-solving ability to identify and address operational issues.
Effective communication and collaboration skills.
Basic understanding of mechanical concepts for operating and troubleshooting machinery.
Commitment to safety protocols and a customer-centric mindset.
Adaptability and willingness to learn.
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
Ability to lift, carry, push, and/or pull up to 50 pounds.
Ability to bend, reach, climb stairs, stoop, kneel, and perform other physical activities required in manufacturing.
Ability to safely and routinely climb and descend stairs and ladders, including accessing elevated work areas and equipment.
Ability to safely operate or work from a scissor lift.
Ability to maintain balance and stability on elevated platforms, stairs, ladders, and uneven or wet surfaces.

Nice To Haves

Passion for pet food manufacturing.

Responsibilities

Set packaging lines to machine centerlines and confirm setups match the correct product.
Set dog food bags to the correct centerlines.
Monitor and validate product quality against standards; check paperwork and confirm product correctness.
Conduct and record metal, weight, seal, and lot-code checks.
Verify cleaning tasks by assigning duties to line employees, completing quality documents, and ensuring timely completion.
Communicate upcoming jobs to material handlers to support smooth transitions.
Communicate packaging needs to the Packaging Supervisor as necessary.
Escalate safety, quality, or production issues to the Packaging Supervisor.
Support equipment troubleshooting to meet daily throughput requirements.
Notify maintenance if the packaging line breaks.
Operate production machinery and participate in mixing ingredients, monitoring equipment, and packaging finished products.
Collaborate with team members and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.